This relationship reaches beyond errands: “If Akhil were to say to Jeetu (Jitender), don’t play your bout on a certain day, there wouldn’t be a discussion. Because Jeetu believes Akhil knows what’s best for him. It transcends logic.”

The brotherhood extends to competitors too: “When you get on the bus, the atmosphere transcends competition. You won’t have competitors communicating with each other in other sports. When you’ve spilt a little blood with each other, the ice is broken.”

Matthews is acutely conscious of the local context for the boxers. “In Bhiwani, guys are putting down cricket bats and picking up boxing gloves,” he says. “If sport embodies something greater than self, cricket has been that sport for most of India. But in this environment, the same sentiments exist for boxing. It gives them a sense of achievement and self-worth that they may not get in other areas of life.”

That is the context in which Akhil works, he notes: “They help each other out. Akhil, whatever he has, materially and intellectually, he is more than happy to part with. He’s continually giving of himself. He will make an excellent coach one day. It is a lot easier to follow the captain into battle when he’s led the way by example. That’s what a lot of young kids need each day.”

So, who’s your Akhil, you ask the 27-year-old. “Subodh Kumar of Rohtak,” says Akhil. “Smart hard work and luck. If you don’t have both, cannot achieve. He didn’t have luck.”

... contd.