A Whole New Meaning Of Shadow Boxing

What do boxers do during a blackout? Spar, of course!

Stockyards Boxing Gym during blackout.

Sparring in the dark.

It is a whole new meaning of shadow boxing.

I can not figure out how a major city like Toronto, can be blacked out for over a day. It should not have even happened. We should have a strong enough infrastructure to handle it. Of course, this is Toronto, so I guess that explains a lot.

Cheers.

Unboxing Bloor

Hi everyone. 
I have been writing these entries for a long time, and a few of you are loyal followers, and others may be new. Since I started writing this blog about three years ago, there have been many ups and downs, curves, detours, and roadblocks. It has been a frustrating ride so far, but as my regular readers have seen, things are finally starting to go my way.
You know what they say, "When life gives you lemons...make lemonade." Well, I think it is safe to say I did more than that. I made flavoured lemonade.

I also have to say that this is my most popular blog, with almost 40,000 views. Thank you.

I am approaching the pinnacle point of my return to boxing. The reason I have been going though all of this, and the reason this blog exists.
It is very possible that I will be returning to competition this summer. Once I find out when, I will let you all know, and hope you will come by to cheer me, or jeer me in some cases.

Writing an article like this makes one very well known in the community. There are people here in the Junction area who say "Hi" to me on the street, and wish me luck. Although, some others do not feel that way. I have had some people make interesting finger gestures to me, while others have cursed at me. That is okay, too. I don't expect to be liked by everyone. However, if I am liked my most, that makes me happy. This is not just about me. I am doing this for all middle-aged athletes. To promote physical fitness. I am also doing it for the community. I have been part of the Junction area for almost 10 years. I like this community, and I like the people. West Toronto is one of the best places to live.
I am always promoting the community. I have invested a lot of time and effort into the West Toronto Community Television and Radio Service. 
Once again, thank you to the Junction and other West Toronto communities for your support.

Interestingly, the two gyms I attend, happen to border the Junction.
Bloor Fitness located at the south end just off Bloor St., and Stockyards Boxing Gym at the north end, located near Runnymede Rd. and Dundas St. Both ends of the Route 40 "Junction" bus route. 
With my official registration with Boxing Ontario two weeks ago, this brings up an interesting dilemma. I am registered though Stockyards. That means when I compete, I will be wearing a Stockyards uniform. That being said, it is understood that most of my training should be done there, which is being reflected in my summer training schedule, as posted in my last entry.

Now, you may be wondering, "What about Bloor?"
Yeah. What about Bloor?
I have been doing some thinking, and have decided to discontinue classes at Bloor. 
I am doing this for many reasons. Besides the one listed above, Bloor Fitness is once again shying away from boxing. As I mentioned before, the "boxing" classes are getting rather sad.
I have even been told that they are not even calling them boxing classes any more. There are "fitness" classes that involve boxing, but not really boxing. (Whatever that means.)  
Then, what the hell am I doing there?
As of now, I will continue to train at Bloor Fitness for cardio and resistance training only. 
I have to say that is one thing Bloor really kicks butt at. They do have really nice fitness facilities.
However, their classes really do not do anything for me right now. Therefore, for the summer anyway, I will only be doing classes at Stockyards.
As I do every season (About every three months), I reconsider how and where to train. For now, I will be keeping my Bloor Fitness membership, as it is a great place for fitness that is open 24 hours. However, it is not a great place for boxing training right now.

Cheers.

New Rules and Summer Training

Junmar has confirmed that he has received my registration, and he wants me to start training much harder. He is really pushing me, especially during sparring. Actually, the other athletes are pushing me as well.
During sparring on Wednesday at Stockyards, Mark nailed me square in the nose with a jab, and drew blood. I very rarely bleed. I can not believe that happened.

Big news in the world of amateur boxing. They have changed the rules to make amateur boxing more like professional boxing. 
They are now using the 10-Point Must system for scoring. The way it works is that the winner of the round is guaranteed 10 points. The other boxer is awarded either 9,8,7,or 6, depending on his performance for the round. Although, a boxer can still lose points for breaking the rules.
Also, many terms have been changed to reflect professional boxing. For example, a Referee Stops Contest (RSC), is now called a Technical Knockout (TKO).
I think one of the reasons they did this is to protect amateur boxing, so that the same thing that happened to amateur wrestling does not happen to boxing.

Summer is here, and here is my summer training schedule, in affect until Thanksgiving:

SUN      Cardio and Resistance Training / Bloor Fitness
MON     Technical Training and Sparring / Stockyards Boxing
TUE     Cardio and Fitness Class / Bloor Fitness
WED   Technical Training and Sparring / Stockyards Boxing
THUR   Cardio and Fitness Class / Bloor Fitness
FRI       Technical Training / Stockyards Boxing
SAT      Technical Training and Sparring / Stockyards Boxing


Cheers.