Switching Gyms...Again...Sort Of

Training Schedule Change

I am making some changes to my training schedule, to allow more time with Junmar and Richard.
I came to realize that Stockyards is my "home" gym, but I spend very little time there.
Going forward, I will be taking more technical training at Stockyards. Junmar has excellent technical boxing classes, and Rick is a great coach. 
See you at the 'Yards!

"The Green Corner" Documentary-Drama To Begin Filming In Mid-May

"The Blue Corner" is about to become "The Green Corner".
This will be an ongoing series made up of 30-minute (22-minute) TV episodes that follow Tyler, a 40 year-old former boxer trying to return to competition after 15 years. 
Sound familiar?

Filming of my documentary/drama/comedy based on this blog is set to begin production very soon.
I have some very good talented actors to help out, as well as a couple of great camera operators.
Richard has given me permission to film some scenes in his gym, provided that it does not interfere with any classes.
I agreed to film any gym scenes on weekends when it is not as busy. 
We will also be filming at various locations around the High Park/Junction/Rocny areas. 

Look for "The Green Corner", coming to YouTube and other places soon!


An Incident At Bloor Fitness Links Back To "The Brick" ??!!!

On Monday night, I was intending to go to Stockyards for Junmar's class, but I missed it due to the fact that I was late getting back to Toronto after a gig out of town, so I went to Bloor Fitness instead.  I kind of wish I did go to Stockyards.
After leaving on Monday, the door did not close properly behind me, and a "nutcase" got into the gym and started harassing the other members.
Honestly, I did not even see anyone go in, but the security camera showed otherwise.
I was informed by the manager that they have "very strict door policies".
They can have whatever policies they want, but they can not hold the members (customers) responsible for the security of the business. It is like any other business. Why should a gym be any different? 
If they want to hire someone to guard the door, that is fine. I will do it. All they have to do is ask.
The only time a member can be held liable is if someone is purposely holding the door open, and allowing friends and family to enter to use the facilities without paying. That is completely different. That is theft.
The manager was nice about it. He said that I was a good ambassador to the gym, (and I still am). I would do anything for them. I agreed that all members should "help" with making sure unauthorized people don't get in. With the understanding that we can not be held legally responsible if someone does.
That being said, members should be considerate to each other, and make sure the door is properly closed to prevent this from happening again. 
I am not going to dwell on this, as it is water under the bridge. It is just something that I had to mention for the benefit of all Bloor Fitness members.

Cheers.

What A Waste Of A Perfectly Good Uppercut !

MASTER'S DIVISION TOURNAMENT COMING UP ???

I can not say too much about this, because it has not yet been confirmed, but I have heard that there may be a Master's Tournament in Toronto this summer. 
This is a great idea, as I have not heard of any other such competition in Ontario, or in Canada for that matter.
The Master's is for boxers over 35 years old...like myself. They are one-minute rounds. However, one of my biggest problems is finding opponents. If this Master's Tournament happens, it could mean that I could actually compete. Coach Richard has expressed interest in letting me be in the tournament.
Could this finally be my chance? You know, I am not optimistic about things. Optimists just wind up setting themselves up for disappointment. When one is pessimistic, like myself, and something good actually happens, it is a bonus....happy...happy...joy...joy...
For now I am just going to keep training. As far as I know, there is no such thing as a Master's Tournament in Toronto.............


TUESDAY SPARRING MAY BE TOO MUCH FOR THE NEW GUYS 

There was great turnout on Tuesday at Bloor. That is good to see.
However, I am beginning to see why new people come in and then don't come back.
They are being thrown into the ring against much more advanced boxers, and are getting frustrated and quit.
I think I mentioned this once before.
My suggestion is to let the new guys practice some light technical skills outside the ring first. Let them get used to it. After they have some basic knowledge of the sport, then let them loose....but, who am I? Nobody cares what I think.

I did a lot on Tuesday. It was possibly my busiest sparring day of all, 16 rounds. I did at least 3 rounds with each guy there. I felt great after.


WEDNESDAY SPARRING: THE BIG UPPERCUT THAT COULDN'T

With Junmar on vacation in New York City, Coach Richard has taken over all the evening classes at Stockyards.
This past Wednesday, I did 3 rounds with Richard watching. Two with one of the younger guys, and one with Dave. By the way, Dave is a former Toronto Police Officer, and now a Boxing Ontario official. He is 52 years old. Yeah. How about that? If he can do it, there is no reason why anyone else can't.
Richard wanted me to go inside with Dave, as I did. I pounded the crap out of his ribs, while being urged on by the other boxers at ringside.
Then it came to sparring the younger guy, I guess he was 20-ish, I apologize for not remembering his name. 
I did quite well against him. There were some good exchanges. He nailed me a few times in the face and head, but did very little attacking to the body. I got in a few good body shots. I'm sure he felt my wrath.
One thing he was doing that was really annoying, was that he would come at me with his head down. He thinks it is safe to do that, but it isn't. You see, even with your hands covering your face, with your face down, there is a nice little opening right were your chin is. Just big enough for a nice uppercut to get through.
I put up with this for the first round. For round two, I promised myself to plant a nice uppercut on his chin if he did that again.
Sure enough, within 30 seconds of round two, there he goes. I did it. I threw a perfect uppercut...and completely missed! He moved right at the last second. I hear an "Ooooo" coming from ringside. Yeah. If he had not moved, it would have been lights out for him. 

I was very proud of that uppercut, even though it missed, it was well executed. 
Of course, some would say that it wasn't perfect if it missed. Well...maybe it won't miss next time.

That Should Be Illegal !

THAT SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED

Well, it is sad to say that this past Thursday's turnout for sparring was a bit abysmal. 
However, Chris showed up. He is usually good at showing up every Thursday. The thing is, I am really getting pissed off at how he boxes. 
You may remember Chris, from an entry a few month's ago, when I complained that he kept on striking me in the arm. Well, he is doing it again. He his my shoulder and bicep so much that I now have a huge bruise there, and can hardly move it. I really hate it when he does that. To put it bluntly, I wish he would fuck off with that. Seriously.
Strikes to the arm should be illegal. I always thought they were, but after checking, I found out it isn't. Arms are a legal target in boxing.
I have also noticed that guys really like going after my ribs, now. Okay guys, look, this is not "Rocky", and I am not a side of beef. 
My left side ribs are all bruised to shit now, too. It matches my left arm.
I guess using the Orthodox boxing stance, means more attacks to that side. Maybe, I should learn to switch. Although, I feel really awkward in the Southpaw stance. I don't know how guys can do that.

Sparring at Bloor, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:30 PM

Sparring at Bloor, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:30 PM

THIS BLOG TO BECOME A DOCUMENTARY MINI-SERIES

My production company with be producing a docudrama series based on "Comments from the Blue Corner". I will play myself in the series, and I am currently working on getting permission to film at the actual gyms where Ii train.
However, since I am in it, I need a camera operator.
Please see our ad on Craigslist: Camera Operator
I may also need talent. I will post that once I am sure what I need for actors.

BOXERS (STILL) NEEDED

We are also still looking for boxers for our photo shoot. Please contact me for more info.

Digital images Toronto: www.ditoprod.ca

Boxers Wanted

SPRING TRAINING SCHEDULE

I hope everyone had a great long weekend.
With Easter over, it is time for my spring training schedule, it will be in effect until Canada Day, July 1.

BOXERS WANTED - PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIMENT

I am looking for boxers for a commercial photography project.
D-I-T-O Photography has partnered with Deposit Photos of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and Pond 5 of New York, NY, for a professional photography project involving boxing and boxers.
Participants must file a Release with D-I-T-O Photography, and will be paid a percentage of photo sales. 
Anyone interested, please contact me through the Digital Images Toronto website. Use the contact form, and select 'Model/Property Release' from the drop-down.


That is all for this entry, it has been a slow month.
Let's hope April is better.

Remember: Keep your hands up and your chin down.