I only met Dennis Alexio once, this was when I was 17 years old in 1992 after attending my first ever kickboxing fight -- Longinidis vs Alexio in Melbourne.
I had a media pass and I sneaked backstage after the anti-climactic fight (that lasted 14 seconds)... I was in the dressing room as Dennis was laid up, next to him were Jeff Fenech who I remember with a grim look on his face saying, "It's alright champ, it's alright" and Bob Wall, who was back then Dennis' manager.
I was a big fan of Dennis'. I had interviewed him two days earlier for a local radio sports show I was doing. We did the interview in his hotel room... he was nice enough to give a wet-behind-the-ears kid a scoop interview with some pretty awesome comments in there. I left his hotel room and was waiting in the corridor for the elevator when he walked out and saw me there. He said, "Where you going now kid?" and I said, "Nowhere in particular" and he said, "Why don't you come have lunch with me?" I agreed and I tell you what, that experience sitting there with Dennis, having lunch in the hotel restaurant, listening to stories about Van Damme, kickboxing, his life, etc, that was one of the big factors that made me pursue my career dream to be a journalist and made me pursue kickboxing and fall in love with the sport.
I dare say that if Dennis hadn't been as nice as he was that day, and hadn't taken the time to give me -- a then 17 year old -- the time of day, you would not have "The Big Kabosh" as you know me on TV now.
Anyway... I spent time with him in his dressing room until it was time to go as my dad was waiting outside, picking me up from the venue. I said good-bye and the next day I called the hospital Dennis was at and asked for their address. I had written a story on Dennis, it was a real personal piece, straight form the heart... I sent it to the hospital with my phone number on it.
Two days later, it was a Sunday morning, my mum answered the phone and woke me up... she said, "Michael there's some American guy on the phone, Dennis Alexi-something... wants to talk to you."
I leapt out of bed and it was Dennis alright on the phone. He said, "Michael, your story was just so moving, it really was. You have all the talent in the world and a big future. Let's stay in touch and if you ever come to Hawaii, mi casa su casa my friend."
Well, I was elated.
After that Dennis and I kept in frequent contact over the phone. He was always lovely, talking about fighting, about his world spearfishing record, about Hawaiin life and about his beautiful wife and later child.
I have lost contact with him now... the phone number/s I have no longer reach him. For this I am sad, as Dennis was the first person I ever met in the kickboxing game, and like I said, if he hadn't had been so inviting and nice, who knows what path my career might have taken other than this path I have loved.
If anyone has contact with Dennis, please let him know that MICHAEL SCHIAVELLO says hi. I really hope he is okay.
"The Voice" Michael Schiavello
www.bigkabosh.bigblog.com.au
