I have some really good news to share. After months of floating around trying to find a boxing gym willing to take me in and seriously train me, I have finally found one.
This is, of course, very important to me. I went in for regular training at Kingsway, and was invited to the team meeting after. I have officially become a member of the Kingsway Boxing Club. Does this mean I can start competition again? Yes, eventually. However, the coaches feel that I am not quite ready. It does mean that they will work with me, to get me ready for competition. After so many months of not being taken seriously, poor coaching, and picking up bad habits, I need some brushing up.
Defense, as I mentioned in my last entry, but also footwork. Tim, my previous coach, said that my footwork was good. Well, is that "good" as in, good enough to compete, or "good" as in it needs work? It turns out that it needs work. The coaches at Kingsway noted that when I move, the distance between my feet changes. This is not good. When you move one foot, the other should move the same amount. I have always known this, but over the years have become sloppy, without an outside source to point it out. This has been one of my many frustrations. A good coach is there for his athletes, not only by just showing up, but to provide feedback.
I was also told that there is a Master's division in Ontario. What? Really? I knew that some U.S. States had one, but not Ontario. Why...did...nobody...tell...me...this...before? See, this is more proof that I was not being taken seriously. Thus, more frustration.
Another thing I was told by Kingsway, is that my wraps were on incorrectly. The way I was shown to do my handwraps, and it was never corrected, would have got me disqualified for competition. The coach looked at my wraps, and said, "That is not amateur". Kind of a funny way of putting it. Anyway, another minor point that none of my other "coaches" bothered to point out.
It looks like, one of the goals of Kingsway is to get me into the Master's division. The next match is March 5, but I may not make that one. However, there is another on April 1. I am certainly going to work hard for that. As long as I have coaches who are willing to help me, I will do my best. I just appreciate somebody wanting to teach me properly.
I have met the team, and they are all a great bunch of people. There is another 40-something boxer on our team, but in a heavier class.
Apparently, the Master's division was created, because more people are getting into boxing later, or staying in it longer. It must be all part of the "fitness craze". As I keep mentioning, there is nothing wrong with staying young.
One thing though, I now "belong" to the Kingsway Boxing Team. That means that I can no longer train anywhere else. That would be like a Hamilton Tiger-Cat player going to a Toronto Argros training camp. Although that may may be a good thing, because as we all know, the Ti-Cats suck, and can use all the help they can get. However, that is another discussion for another time.
For me, it means no more training with Tim or Junmar. Well, that is not a great loss. I have not been training with Tim for a while, because he was not showing up, and Junmar's classes were too crowded, and he is only teaching boxing for recreation, as he is not certified by Boxing Ontario.
This brings up something else. Odd things are happening at Bloor Street. They have dropped the word "boxing" from their name. They are no longer 'Bloor Boxing and Fitness'. They are now called 'Bloor Street Fitness'. Although they are located on Dundas Street, which has been bothering me for a while, but oh, well. They have really been pushing the fact that they are 24/7. Remember the Bloor Boxing Gym sign they removed? It was replaced by, take a guess...wait for it...A 24/7 sign! Here is a newsflash: Bloor Street Fitness did not invent 24/7. It is not uncommon for fitness centers to be open 24/7, at least not in Toronto.
I have a feeling that they will eventually drop boxing from their program all together. Which is fine, I can't train there anyway, but I can still go there for conditioning.
With all these sudden changes, it means changing my training schedule. Kingsway wants me there three times a week, plus the Team Training on Saturday. There is also a training camp coming up in April.
MY TRAINING SCHEDULE:
SUNDAY Bloor Fitness, Cardio and strength training only
MONDAY --- OFF ---
TUESDAY Kingsway Boxing Club, Techncial training and conditioning with coach
WEDNESDAY Kingsway Boxing Club, Open technical training
THURSDAY Kingsway Boxing Club, Technical training and conditioning with coach
FRIDAY Bloor Fitness, Cardio and strength training only
SATURDAY Kingsway Boxing Club, Team training and sparring
I am really looking forward to working with my new coaches.
It looks like Kingsway is going to be my new home for training.
My next scheduled match: [TBA]
My current division and class: Master's 88 kg
My current record (Kingsway): 0 - 0 - 0 //0
My next scheduled camp: Kingsway Fight Camp, April 16-17
Paul "The Comeback Kid"
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