Training Diary: Week 9

THE beast has been uncaged and he's hungry!
I have noticed over the past week or so a big improvement in my boxing, and particularly my aggression.
There is no more Mr Nice Guy and I am on a mission to lay down some pain!
I really enjoyed Sunday's session and came out with a renewed sense of confidence.
Unfortunately I am nursing ANOTHER injury and one which isn't to be heeling.
Having gone over my ankle celebrating City's famous FA Cup win two weeks ago it still really hurts when I put weight on it - which isn't a good sign.
Now luckily I can still punch but it is affecting my speed and footwork - which was pretty much my whole fight strategy.
Anyway, we started the session with some very very intense circuit training. I had to take it a little easy due to my poorly foot but it was still absolutely shattering.
We had to do a quick shuttle run, ten press ups, 20 leg pull ups, and 30 squats, then repeat for half an hour.
It hurt, it hurt me a lot.
We then paired up with a partner to do a bit of sparring. I chose Carl, who despite approaching 50 is one of the fittest men I have seen (in a health type way...).
I put my new found aggression to the test and I was a lot better. I am no longer throwing my punches leaning back, as I was frightened of getting hit, and am finally getting a bit more stuck in.
After a bit of bag work the session was over and I could go home and stick my foot in ice.

Now last week I did a bit of 'extra training' which will all be unveiled on Wednesday (avec video).
All to be revealed.

Training Diary: Week 8.1

SO just three weeks to go.
Part of me is excited, the other absolutely terrified.
Will I end up a bloody mess, in a heap on the floor, or a valiant champion? Only time will tell...
As I am now matched up training last night was mainly bag and stamina work which was a welcome change.
While sparring i great to get you prepared for the physical nature of the fight I hadn't worked on the bags or my fitness for some time.
After the usual warms ups and three rounds shadow boxing I moved onto the bags.
Pretty much spent 45 minutes doing two minutes rounds going hell to leather.
Was so tiring but one of those sessions which I felt was a real benefit. Noticing much more power in my punching, especially my body shots.
I am also keeping my guard up now which is a big boost!

So not loads to report this week but its getting close. And any suggestions for my entrance song are welcome! I have a couple of ideas but need some more inspiration!

Training Diary: Week 8.1

 

 

NO backing out now.

The fight is set and my opponent selected. It's on!

After a week away from training in the Arctic Circle I was back at it yesterday. However things were quite tricky as I have seemed to have sprained my ankle celebrating the football on Saturday (worth it!).

Still, like always, I laughed pain in the face and battled on with training (after several ibuprofen and spraying a can of Deep Heat).

After warming up half of us were taken to one side and did 20 minutes or so of sparring in a bid to try and match some of us up.

With just four weeks to go until the fight its important that we actually know who we will be facing so we can begin focussing our training.

My first sparring partner was bigger, stronger and better than me. Although I was no way embarrassed I think he came out on top.

I was then put in the ring against someone else. This time it was much more even. He caught me a few times but I also landed a few, especially a nice right hook counter right on his chin which sent him back.

My immediate reaction was to apologise - which isn't the point of boxing - to the surprise of everyone watching I think.

I have to remember the aim of boxing is to hit and hurt people!!

After the two minute round we were asked how we would feel fighting each other and we were matched up.

He's a bit bigger than me and a stronger puncher but I think my reach is a little bit better.

I am not a big puncher and I have decided to try and concentrate on counter punching as I think I am quite quick. I held my guard up a lot better this session but I need to stop punching leaning back.

I do not notice I am doing it and one of the coaches did some pad work with me afterwards to try and address it.

I could definitely see an improvement in my punching and I actually had a little bit of power to my surprise! Those protein shakes may be working...

After the sparring we did some circuit training which was horrible - and difficult with a sprained ankle!

It was 12 minutes of non stop circuits. We started with 30 seconds of press ups, 30 seconds of squats, 30 seconds of running with high knees, and 30 seconds of burpees. This was repeated six times with no breaks.

If you want to feel pain do this!!

Anyway with the days counting down the realisation of what I am doing has actually set in...oh god!

If anyone wants tickets they can email me or call Paul on 07834 129 097 or Crain on 07966 298765 or Shaun 07798 771013. There are only a few left so call quick!

Training Diary: Week 6.1

"IF YOU want the rainbow you got to put up with the rain."

You know which "philosopher" said that? Dolly Parton. And people say she's just a...

Anyway. It pretty much sums up my week of boxing. 

After feeling like hanging up my gloves on Sunday night after my battering in the ring I decided tonight will be a fresh start. Things couldn't get much worse anyway.

Tonight we started with five rounds of shadow boxing. Tiring but it really does show how fit I have got in the past two months. 

I used to struggle to do a round, now I can comfortably do five. However this means nothing when you get into the ring as I will come onto...

After this I was once again taken to one side and spent the next 50 minutes or so sparring... absolutely knackering. 

But to my horror I was once again facing the boxer - or as I have christened him Ivan Drago - who destroyed me on Sunday.

This time Crain was in my corner giving me tips and luckily he was told to take it and not throw much back. 

Its all about building up my confidence and getting out that inner beast which I am desperate to find. And I think tonight he made an appearance. 

I unloaded using my jab, ducking, weaving and trying to connect that right hook.

I landed a few but it was about getting aggressive.

I also learnt that I need to control my punch rate as I went in all guns blazing and was kanckered after 30 seconds. And the nerves of the night won't help if I cannot pace myself.

I also keep dropping my left hand once I have thrown a jab which leave me exposed to a counter jab or left hook which I need to sort out. 

After two rounds I then did some lighter sparring with Ben, who is a similar size and ability, for 10 minutes or so. 

We have been sparring together since we started and both noticed a big improvement in each other. 

It was pretty close as Ben is great at blocking so we both got a lot out. I handed a sweet jab on his nose but we got me - as expected - with a good left hook on the chin which I am still feeling now (in my right ear surprisingly, must of jarred it).

Thinking it was over I was then thrown into the ring again to sparr with someone new. He was a bit bigger than me but I had the speed and  just kept stepping in, firing a couple of jabs, and stepping out. Got hit a few times but definitely felt a lot better and feeling more confident now. 

This will be my last update for 10 days or so as I am in Norway doing altitude training. Im going to keep on the shadow boxing though to try and make keeping my left hand covering my face a natural reaction. 

Training Diary: Week 6

SORRY for the late post but I have been nursing my wounds...
Yesterday I took an absolute pounding.
I had been worried about my nose all along - well its finally be smashed so im not too bothered about that anymore...
After the usual warm ups one of the trainers took me into the round again to do three rounds of sparring.
Now I thought he would go easy on me but to keep me on my toes, blocking and working he didn't hold back the punches and I took a lot to the face!
It didn't help that my head guard was sliding all over the place blocking most of my vision.
Anyway after catching a lot in my face and nose I was pretty stunned and really struggling.
I need to find something to light a fire in me as at the moment I am missing that 'agression' in the ring and holding back.
And I was punished for it yesterday.
By the third ring I could hardly move and my punches couldn't swat a fly.
Still its all good experience and at least I have now 'boxed' three rounds. And I hope that was a 'worst case scenario'.
After a few minutes rest I hit the bags for a few more rounds before doing some pad work.
I am definitely more comfortable with my jab rather than my right hand which is strange and is something I need work on.
So not all good and with the clock ticking I need to start making some major improvements!

Training Diary: Week 5.1

BE aggressive.
Thats the advice I've been given and to be honest its something I agree with.
Ive been too frightened of hurting someone and lets be honest, isn't that the whole point of boxing?
So from now on I am a mean, lean, aggressive fighting machine!
Anyway, after warming up boxing coach Crain took me aside and did some one on one with me in the boxing ring.
He started off getting me to move about by throwing punches at me and keeping me on my toes.
It went really well and I could really feel my footwork getting better and my movement around the ring.
We then worked on my jabbing and keeping my hands up after i've thrown a punch.
We then worked on body shots and transferring my weight from leg to leg to throw a mean hook.
All in all it was some very valuable one on one time.
I then did a bit of light sparring with another partner for a few minutes.
With Crains advice of "be aggressive" ringing through my mind I was determined not to be pushed about this time.
So from the off I was more in  his face using my jab constantly to attack and keep him off me.
He got through a couple of times but there was a definite improvement tonight which is good.
For the first time I actually think I may make this alive...

Anyway, I will have tickets on Sunday so let me know if you want some!! Need to shift at least 30!

Training Diary: Week 5

WELL its Sunday but sadly nothing to report today.
 Decided to give training a miss to rest my wrist as its still not good. Hopefully a week off will do it some good and am keeping it compressed.
Getting worried about it now and if it keeps hurting each time I box i'll have to see a doctor. Not good.

Gutted to miss training though, especially as I am going to have to miss a week in May. Although I do have a secret weapon up my sleave...all to be revealed soon.