Even after the workout, his energy and excitement are contagious. He enjoys his days in the gym and loves being able to provide for his five children, all between the ages of two and eight. Children in the community look up to Lundy as a mentor, a role he takes very serious. Lundy is happy and is in a great place in life.
However, things were much different for Lundy before he took those steps into a boxing gym.
With his father absent, Lundy was born to a mother who suffered from mental illness and young Hank almost ended up in foster care. It was aunts and uncles who provided care for Lundy growing up, yet the Philly streets are always calling for young men. Lundy heard the call, “I did all the things that all these guys do now, selling drugs on the corner, pulling all-nighters. I’ve been there.”
At 16, Lundy found himself in trouble and moved to North Carolina with his aunt, Shannon Johnson. It was just the break the young man needed. “She showed me there was more out there than just the corner.” Lundy said soon after that he found football and God, life started heading in the right direction. One less causality for the streets of Philly.
Lundy’s uncle Eric Johnson became the father figure he was missing and taught young Hank how to be a man. His success on the gridiron earned him partial scholarship to college yet there wasn’t enough money for both he and his younger sister to attend college. As big brother, Lundy wished for his sister to pursue her education.
It was during his football days, at age 18, a life-changing event happened. In a street fight, Hank was getting the worst of it. In his words, “This guy was kicking the hell outta me.” After telling his friends not to intervene, Hank remembered how he had seen Roy Jones Jr. once throw an uppercut, and as the opponent watched the punch miss, Jones planted a fist to his chin. Lundy then threw a punch to the side and then proceeded to flatten his adversary, knocking him out cold. “Instead of going to practice, I ran home and told my uncle that I just knocked a guy out cold. Ever since that, I’ve been in the gym. I found my calling.” Lundy recalled.
Eight years later, “Hammerin’ Hank” is fighting for his kids. “They think I’m Superman,” he says with pride. He is fighting for those who helped make him the man he is today and he is fighting for all the kids who look up to him as a role model. As he steps between the ropes this Friday in Rhode Island, he hopes to take another step toward adding his name to the list of great Philadelphia warriors.
Questions or comments can be directed to aleckohut@hotmail.com. Please visit Alec at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1255732257&ref=ts
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