"The Human Cock Fighter" Brian Imes with some ground n' pound

Tuesday morning I woke up earlier than usual to start my day. I headed out to Springfield, Missouri with my girlfriend for a day of work, training and relaxation.

Three hours on the road with the sunroof open, plenty of country tunes and chit chat to pass the time. We were in Carrieʼs Cadillac this time instead of my ʼ93 Chevy truck. Better gas mileage was the deciding factor.

Her good friend and boyfriend met us for lunch before Carrie headed out for some sales calls. I headed off with the boyfriend for an afternoon of training. Turns out that this fella, Bryan, trains with Zak Cummings and other area fighters.

Our session would be in his garage thumpinʼ a Thai bag on a small section of new Zebra mats. Hey, the workout is what you make of it! We thumped for about an hour before he dropped me back off at the hotel to await my gal.

Upon Carrieʼs return I decided that I would switch gears a bit.

I was born in Springfield, Missouri May 6, 1978 at St. Johnʼs Hospital. Out of my mother, Carolyn Imes, shot a 7ish pound baby boy into the arms of my father, Gregory J. Smith.

Greg Smith was a successful attorney in Greene County. He was 6 foot and 2 inches tall. Greg and I spent time together for about seven years before he walked away from my life following a divorce and failed custody battle.

I have spent nearly 25 years on this planet without the direction or interest of my biological father. I have however been directed, disciplined, motivated, hired, fired, promoted, punched, kicked, slapped, twisted and thumped by countless other men.

I learned to achieve in life through good and bad experiences, positive and negative relationships, and the general free observation of my surroundings. Parents and role models are not always such by title alone.

Tuesday evening around 5pm I knocked on the door of Gregory J. Smith, still a resident of Springfield, Missouri. Gregʼs wife, Karen, answered the door.

Upon discovering who I was she graciously invited me inside. My father, Greg, came to the door moments later and shook my hand. He held his chin up as if to look down at his young son, but what he saw was a grown man.

My childhood is long gone and he can never change the fact that he missed all of it.

We sat on his back porch overlooking a peaceful golf course for nearly two hours. I wouldnʼt describe it as uncomfortable, but it was definitely confusing. It was confusing for my heart as well as my mind.

My father and I discussed every subject under the sun and I would lying if I said I wasnʼt proud to be his boy. But why had he not reached out? Why didnʼt he fight to stay in my life?

As a fighter I can find my way out of nearly any position or situation. Sometimes it hurts yes, but through the pain and struggle I will find my pride. These are the lessons that I learned from my mother. Carolyn Imes taught me to find the good in any situation.

She never let anyone push her around or tell her what to think. Perhaps my father knew what he was doing when he walked away from my life so long ago. He left me in the hands of a very strong and capable woman. These are the surroundings that breed fighters.

I do not understand nor will I ever forgive my father for the choice that he made. I will however learn from his mistakes and use the lessons to strengthen my heart and my life. My hope is that he too will learn and become a better man.

Maybe we can knock it around on that pretty golf course someday; only time will tell. I am certainly proud of myself for knocking on that door!

-The Human Cock Fighter

One thought on “The Human Cock Fighter Blog – Fighters and their Fathers”
  1. Brian, I knew you when you were a baby. My family and I had known your mother in Columbia, and, after she married Greg, they lived down the street from us in Springfield. Annie and my daughter, Kara, had been together since they were less than a year old. She used to stay at our apartment in Columbia, while your mom worked.

    Anyway, I decided to try to find your mom, and found you, instead. I’ll let my sons read your blog. They will be impressed.

    I would like to contact your mother and Annie. I would appreciate it if you would put me in contact with them.

    You seem to be doing well and seems that Brad is, too.
    Good luck with your career.

    Susan Todd

Leave a Reply