January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Benefiting from experience
He was one of the of the world's best middleweight boxers in the 1980s and missed out on a chance to fight for the vacant IBF title in 1987 when he lost a unanimous decision to number one ranked Michael Olijade.
He didn't mind whatever sport LaTroya did as long as she enjoyed doing it and gave it her best.
Well, every sport, but one.
LaTroya interjects with a laugh: "You didn't want me to do boxing."
Troy agreed: "I definitely didn't want that, but as long as she does things that she's happy with.
"I've taught her defensive moves from martial arts and boxing, but I really don't think it's for a woman to be out there boxing. It's a tough sport and I want to see grandchildren."
Troy added he wants LaTroya to be successful and have a family "so boxing isn't an appropriate sport for her.
"She was always active so I didn't have to encourage her, but just guide her. It was in her. She always got a lot of praise and people were always talking about her…so I helped remind her not to let those things get to her head, but to stay focused and do her best."
LaTroya said she first ran track for Francis Patton before joining up with Pacers. She is making her own path to success having represented Bermuda at the World Youth Championships and CARIFTA and won a Government Sports Achievement Award.
She said both her mom and dad are very supportive of her and didn't push her to do sports.
He and his wife JuneAnn have always tried to inspire all three of their children (LaTroya, Jalesha and Jabari ) to make good choices. Troy said: "We always tell them don't think about today, think about tomorrow."
LaTroya praised her father for instilling in her good leadership skills and he is a very energetic, honest, respectful and knows how to handle responsibilities. She said even though she does a different sport than her dad, Troy is still able to help her.
"He tells me what not to eat, what times I should get on my runs, how to stay fit.
"It's kind of an advantage because he's been there."
She said watching her dad get elected into Bermuda's Hall of Fame "inspired" her and "I want to be in the Hall of Fame someday too."[[In-content Ad]]
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