A local drunk, he found himself in many bar fights, until he was noticed by an underground prize fighting promoter; the famed Mathew MacMahollen, the legend out of Ireland. Mathew MacMahollen trained, and mentored him for the next few years, as Michael grew in notoriety. He began taking on the ring name of “Black Powder” Barbarossa for his explosive punches. The name would suit him perfectly for his later role in life. Disapproved, his wife took their children and left him when he was at a championship fight. Black Beard won that night with a hook to hammer fist, causing the competitor to go limp and never recover.

Boxing became a side job for Michael once Red Beard returned from a life of piracy. Reunited with his brother, they became dock workers to seek a better life. During this time, Black Powder saw a traveling Chinese fireworks show. He fell in love, and using his charm he convinced one of the troop to share some of their secrets. From this small beginning Michael developed his pyrotechnic skills and served the local community, creating small fireworks shows for the children. When he learned of his niece’s death and of his sister-in-law’s fate, Black Powder immediately volunteered to seek out the Lady of the Wood and help Red Beard to exact his vengeance. On that very day they gathered the best crew they could find and set sail. Michael asked Mathew MacMahollen to join them as well, but Mathew MacMahollen rejected with the words “may you have the hindsight to know where you’ve been, the foresight to know where you are going, and the insight to know when you have gone too far.”