Inside the ring he fought with the ferocity of a gladiator, outside his kindness rivaled that of a saint.
This is how friends and family are remembering Michael Desmond 'Prime Time' Post, 28.

The Oakville boxer, who was poised to take a shot at the International Boxing Association World Junior Welterweight title in the new year, was found dead at his local boxing gym Friday morning.

Halton police are calling the sudden death non-suspicious, however, that knowledge is doing little to ease the grief of Post's family.

"It's awful, it's just a terrible thing," said Greg Post, Michael's father and manager.

"It's been him and me for 28 years. He wasn't just my son, he was my best friend."

Michael 'Prime Time' Post had torn up the boxing world in recent years beginning his professional boxing career in 2004 after an undefeated amateur stretch.

After turning pro, Post was able to assemble an impressive record of 17 victories, one loss and one draw.

Greg noted, that despite being relatively new to the sport, his son seemed to have the ability to think three steps ahead and anticipate his opponent's actions.

He also pointed out that for that one defeat, no one could say Post didn't give it his all.

"He tore his rotator cuff in the first round and basically fought the next six rounds with only one arm," he said. "He didn't lose the fight he just didn't win it."
 
Post's determination in the ring became even more apparent in May, when he won a huge victory over Ruben Galvan only a few weeks after being hit by a car.

"He couldn't pull out of the show because there were too many people who bought tickets and were looking forward to seeing him fight," said Greg, choking back tears.

"So he went in and did what he had to do. He was okay for about a round and a half until his back really, really started hurting him, but he finished the fight and he gave the people what they wanted to see and he won."

Seeing his son fight was a difficult experience for Greg, who noted he did not want his son to go into boxing out of fear he might get hurt.

Eventually, Greg came around when he realized his son had considerable abilities in the sport and soon became Michael's manager.

"I would be in his corner with his cut man and his trainer because that's where he wanted me," said Greg. "I'd be sweating bullets and he'd say, 'Relax dad, I've got it under control.'"

 While Post had dreams of becoming a world champion, he did not use his talent for the sole purpose of accomplishing this goal.
Greg said his son established an amateur boxing club at his gym, Prime Time Personal Fitness and Boxing, 2390 Lakeshore Rd. W., to give young people in Oakville the opportunity to embrace the sport as he had.

"He was all about the kids in the neighbourhood. He always wanted to help the kids. Kids who couldn't afford the rate," said Greg.

"He just loved to give back and I think he believed that boxing and the dedication it takes could change people's lives. It's such hard work and if you're willing to put in the work it can make you a better person."

Post's gym, which opened in 2006, has serviced a number of distinguished patrons including Pulp Fiction star Samuel L. Jackson.

Jackson trained with Post while filming the movie Jumper in Toronto.

Following Post's hard fought victory over Galvan, Post had to take a time out from boxing to recuperate.

He was still recuperating when it was confirmed he would face the World Junior Welterweight champion in May 2009.
"We got confirmation and he was so excited," said Greg.

Post began training again, but that fight would never take place.

On Thursday, Nov. 27, Post was watching movies with his friends at an office/bedroom he had set up at the Prime Time Personal Fitness and Boxing Gym.

When his friends departed at 4:30 a.m. they reported Post was preparing for bed.

"His girlfriend Michelle went over to open up the gym because she trains some people in the morning and she found him in the office," said Greg.

"He was gone."

Greg noted an autopsy has been performed, but it has yielded no clear evidence as to what caused his son's death.

Today, the Prime Time Personal Fitness and Boxing gym is the site of a small memorial for Post.

A gym t-shirt stretched across a chair outside the gym has been stenciled with the words 'RIP Mike' while another chair is adorned with flowers.

A sign hangs in the window of the gym noting that it will be closed until further notice due to a family emergency.

The memorial for Post is even greater online with a five minute You Tube video already set up to commemorate the fighter while on Facebook 116 people have placed comments on a memorial page (www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=38350701685).

"I still can't even fathom this whole thing. You were my friend, my coach and my mentor. You taught me so much about hard work, dedication and the desire to succeed. Not just in the ring or in training, but in everything else in life. You are a big reason for a lot of changes I made in my life and a big reason why I excelled in so many aspects. Your teachings will carry with me my whole life. I will never forget how you have helped me. I miss you bro! Until we meet again my friend," said a person named Sean in one posting.

For Greg, the sympathetic response to his son's death has been overwhelming.

 "He touched so many people's lives, I didn't even have any idea how many people he touched. He had that special thing that not very many people had. He influenced people and made them feel better about themselves," said Greg.

"They would walk away from meeting him and say 'Oh Gee, I feel good.' Not many people can do that."

Post's funeral will take place Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the Glen Oaks Memorial Gardens, located at 3164 Ninth Line.

A reception will follow at Prime Time Personal Fitness and Boxing.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to a youth boxing charity in honour of Michael.

Information for this charity will be available at Glen Oaks.