Former junior Olympic gold medalist turned boxing coach Derry Mathews has become the talk of the online world after he took his students to a surprising place for Christmas. Matthews competed from 2003 to 2017 and also held the WBA interim lightweight title in 2015. However, he has turned to coaching since retiring from the sport in 2017.
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In a Twitter post, Mathews revealed that his students wanted him to take him to ‘Hooters’, a food chain known for its waitresses and their Christmas meal. However, unlike a normal coach who would not cater to this request, Mathews happily obliged to take his students and stated that he was proud of their efforts in training. “Coach to skills boxers – where would you like to go for Xmas meal. Boxers to coach – hooters please coach. Well done lads on a great season proud of you all” he wrote.
This was not all as this post took over the internet with fans going into a frenzy over this video and reacting to it.
Fans react to boxing coach taking his students to Hooters
One fan hilariously painted a scenario where the kids asked Mathews to take them to another restaurant. However, the couch opted for Hooters instead of the other chain.
Oh yer.
Boxers to coach; can we go to maccies please Derry?
Coach to boxers; nah swerve that we’re goin to Hooters.— Stephen Russell (@StevieR60) December 17, 2022
Another fan touted him as the definite coach of the year.
Defo coach of the year
— barry thompson (@bazthomp) December 17, 2022
One fan even went as far as claiming that his students would remember this incident after 50 years. He added that this was because Mathews mixed discipline and fun together in his coaching philosophy.
This is special. In 50years from now those boys will be talking about how you’re coaching moulded them. Mixing fun, discipline, structure, work ethic. You keep doing mate 👊
— B ish (@bradderrrs1989) December 17, 2022
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Another fan also praised Mathews for this gesture to his students claiming that they will be talking about this incident in the future.
Well done Derry the lads will be still taking about that in 30 year
— davidpoole (@davpool) December 17, 2022
However, one fan pointed out that the waitress was old enough to be their older sister.
Old enough to be their older sister https://t.co/s5lNCGtvwx
— Local 90s karate dropout (@ginosuperhero) December 18, 2022
One fan thanked him for being the best coach to his students and also praised the students.
Thanks for being the best coach Derry – kids have had a boss season and a boss day/night 🤣😝 https://t.co/j9j0zZyzdD
— Louise Flood (@loudevine8) December 17, 2022
Lastly, one fan stated that this was unacceptable and acclaimed she would have called the police if this ever happened in front of her.
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we live in a society. this is socially unacceptable and id call the cops
— GamerBoyElvis (@gameredleo) December 18, 2022
The fans seemed to have had a mixed reaction to this surprising gesture by Mathews. While some praised him for listening to his students and happily agreeing to their wishes, others found it inappropriate and against social norms.
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What did you think about Matthews taking his students to Hooters? Let us know in the comments.
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