Alright, folks. Pull up a chair, grab a cuppa (or a pint, if it’s that kind of day), and let me introduce meself. I’m Pete “Big Pete” Dawson, Neasden through and through. If you’re from around here, you might’ve heard the name—or the smack of my gloves, back in the day. I was a boxer once, proud as punch to step into that ring, trading blows and dreams. These days, though, I’m more likely to be scrubbing a loo than breaking noses, but hey, life takes funny turns, doesn’t it?
I’m not ashamed of what I do now. I clean offices, houses, and even the odd shop floor when they’re in a pinch. It’s honest graft, and there’s satisfaction in leaving a place sparkling. But every mop swipe reminds me of the other kind of grit—the one that had me ducking jabs and landing uppercuts. It’s those memories that got me starting this blog.
Why This Blog?
Boxing isn’t just a sport. It’s a way of life. It teaches you discipline, respect, and the value of hard work. I learned all that in the Neasden gyms that smelled of sweat and sawdust. Those gyms were my second home. They gave me confidence, a sense of purpose, and mates for life.
But times have changed. Neasden’s got its share of talent, but where’s the place for young lads and lasses to channel their energy these days? I can’t shake the dream of opening my own boxing club—Big Pete’s Boxing Club. Somewhere local kids can come, learn the ropes, and maybe even make it big.
This blog is my way of keeping that fire burning while I save up for the club. It’s a space to share stories from the ring—glorious wins, bitter defeats, and all the lessons in between. I’ll also be writing about my cleaning gigs, because trust me, you wouldn’t believe some of the things I’ve seen on the job!
The Lighter Side of Things
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not all heavy reminiscing here. Life’s too short not to have a laugh. I’ll tell you about the time I tried to clean a chandelier and ended up in A&E or that one Christmas party where I was roped into playing Santa—gloves off, beard on. There’ll be plenty of cheeky anecdotes and maybe even a few cleaning tips (because who doesn’t need to know how to tackle limescale like a champ?).
Join Me on This Journey
Whether you’re an old mate from Neasden, a fellow boxing fan, or just someone who enjoys a good read, welcome to my little corner of the internet. Maybe you’ll be inspired by the grit of a working-class lad who refuses to give up on his dreams. Or maybe you’ll just laugh at my misadventures with hoovers and bleach. Either way, I’m glad you’re here.
So, stick around. Leave a comment. Tell me your stories, too. Who knows? Maybe Big Pete’s Boxing Club will be real someday, and you can say you were here when it was just a cleaner’s pipe dream. Cheers!