Working Hard, Defence Getting Better

ENTRY 279

Sparring Report

Not much sparring this week again.
Only six rounds total.
In addition to what I did Monday, I did another three rounds with Newton on Tuesday.
I didn't get any on Wednesday or Thursday.
I like to do eight minimum, and this is the second week I did not get to do my minimum.
However, I did some drills with Will on Thursday.

Brampton Cup Training Update

On Thursday, I did over two hours of training with Coach Will.
As part of that, I did a drill with Kofi to practise defence.
I also did more work on improving my footwork.
Will said that he has seen improvement, and that of course is a good thing.

It is two months to the Brampton Cup.
It sounds like a lot of time, but it really isn't.

I do not plan on competing otherwise until then,

There is also a Stockyards' show a couple of weeks after the Cup.
There is also a charity event shortly after the Stockyards' show.
My goal is to participate in all of them.

It is a lot of work, but being an athlete is not easy.

======================================================

"The Brick" is an amateur boxer certified by:

www.boxingontario.com

REGISTRATION DUE: January 1

"The Brick" is a member of the Stockyards Boxing Team, and trains 4 times a week at:

215 Ryding Ave. Toronto

stockyardsboxingfitness.com

THIS GYM IS CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW
OTHER GYMS BEING CONSIDERED:
SULLY'S, SIBERIA, CABBAGETOWN

"The Brick"

                                                                        

Welcome Back and Welcome New (Boxers)

ENTRY 278

Welcome Back and Welcome New 

A buddy of mine has returned to Stockyards after a few weeks off.
Joe has returned. He is a former boxer from South America, and a really nice guy.
He is also a regular reader of this blog.
Hi Joe.
He also brought a friend who signed up on Monday.
Also a former boxer, who wants to try again.

We also saw another new guy register with us. Although, I really didn't get a chance to meet him.
Apparently, he is from Russia and has just moved to Canada.
He was a boxer in Russia, and wants to continue here in Toronto.

Welcome to all.
We at the Stockyards Boxing don't bite.
We punch.

Brampton Cup Training Update: It Keeps Going and Going...

We are continuing to work on defence a lot.
Will has been on my case about my hands being too low, and it has been a horrible habit of mine for a long time.
He has provided many helpful suggestions, and even said that if I didn't keep my hands up, he wouldn't coach me any more.
Well, he is right. I mean, that is a very important part of boxing. Especially going into something like the Brampton Cup.

I have noticed, and it was also pointed out to me that there has been improvement in my defence. I am remembering to keep my hands up more often. I am also remembering to keep my balance properly. I was able to do well, even while sparring.

While doing bag work, though, I have noticed that my left hook and left uppercut kind of suck.
My coaches do like my jab, and my "awesome and deadly" overhand right.
Right now I am not overly concerned with updating my hooks and uppercuts. I am concentrating on defence, because, ultimately, you can survive with a weak left attack, but weak defence will get you knocked right the 'F' out.

Once I am sure my defence is perfect, I will work more on offence.

I like using my favourite combination, Jab to the body and overhand right to the head.
That's it.
My "famous" two-punch combo that actually works quite well.

Coach Will also has me working on throwing double and triple jabs before the overhand.

Overall, lots of work done, and still lots to do. With just over two months until the Brampton Cup.

If I keep on this, I should not have any problems kicking butt.

Look out Brampton, 'The Brick' is coming!


Monday Sparring

Four rounds on Monday.

Two with Leo, where at one point I nailed him really good on the chin with my "awesome" overhand right.
Leo is easy to hit with that since he is southpaw, and the stupid way he holds his hands so high like an MMA guy.
I was really proud of that punch, actually.
If we were not wearing sparring gloves, he would have went down. For sure.

I also went two rounds with Oliver's dad.
He is a heavy hitter, but great for working on my defence. I was pleased that I did well at blocking most of his attacks.
He did do one thing rather odd. He held me against the ropes with is left arm outstretched, then tried to pull back, and nail me with a straight right.
It didn't work.
Besides, I think that is more of a street-fighting technique. I don't think it is allowed in boxing.
It was kind of funny, though.

Thank you for the good sparring. It really helps me work on what needs to be done for the tournament.

What Your Doctor Doesn't Know Won't Hurt Him

My physician asked me a rather odd (or maybe not) question the other day.
He asked me that when I box, do I wear a headgear?
Of course I told him I did. Then he noted it and put it in my file.
My question is, would it had been any different if I had said 'no'?
Keeping in mind that this is the same physician that signs my Boxing Ontario forms every year.

I am just putting that out there for other boxers. In case any of them are faced with the same question.
Since open class boxers don't wear headgear, and I was wondering how physicians feel about that. Maybe if they were aware, they could lean on Boxing Ontario to have the headgear reinstated.
A headgear does redirect some of the impact, so your brain is not getting the full shock from being hit. Therefore, amateur boxers, regardless of class, should always wear head protection.

======================================================

"The Brick" is an amateur boxer certified by:

www.boxingontario.com

REGISTRATION DUE: January 1

"The Brick" is a member of the Stockyards Boxing Team, and trains 4 times a week at:

215 Ryding Ave. Toronto

stockyardsboxingfitness.com

THIS GYM IS CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW
OTHER GYMS BEING CONSIDERED:
SULLY'S, SIBERIA, CABBAGETOWN

"The Brick"

                                                                        

Working the "D"

ENTRY 277

Working the "D"... and the "F" 

Continuing training for the Brampton Cup on Thursday with Coach Will.
He had me working on footwork and defence.

When I work on these drills outside the ring I do quite well.
Once I am in the ring, I sometimes forget what I was working on.
That is quite common in boxing, but that makes sparring all that more important.

I only got in five rounds of sparring this week. I usually like to get eight to ten per week. I really need to work on these drills while sparring.
Attendance at the gym was piss-poor this week. Hardly anyone showed up on Tuesday and Wednesday.  That contributed to the lack of sparring. I hope next week is better.
The Brampton Cup is getting closer, and I still have a lot to do.

This is a big, major goal for me. As I mentioned before, I don't want to 'F' it, but I would be happy to just make in past the prelims.

I was also thinking something else this week.  With the few boxers in the Masters division compared to other divisions, the chances of meeting Andy in the ring again at the Brampton Cup are actually quite high.
Well, there is my rematch.

Someone asked if I was afraid of Andy.
The answer is "No". Why would I? He is just a man.
Also, I will be much better prepared.

Right now, I am thinking, breathing and eating Brampton Cup.
Nothing will get in my way.

======================================================

"The Brick" is an amateur boxer certified by:

www.boxingontario.com

REGISTRATION DUE: January 1

"The Brick" is a member of the Stockyards Boxing Team, and trains 4 times a week at:

215 Ryding Ave. Toronto

stockyardsboxingfitness.com

THIS GYM IS CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW
OTHER GYMS BEING CONSIDERED:
SULLY'S, SIBERIA, CABBAGETOWN

"The Brick"

                                                                        

Life With Balance

ENTRY 276

Life With Balance 

I missed training with Will on Sunday, because I was called into work. That means doing extra when he is in again on Thursday.

However, I have been doing a lot of training on my own, as I usually do.
Since Will has corrected my stance, I have noticed that everything else seems easier.
My punches are harder without really putting too much more effort. I am also not leaning in as much any more.
Sometimes I slip up, and it happens, but overall I have noticed a big improvement in the overall quality of my boxing.
Being balanced and having perfect form is very important in boxing. Something that people who don't know the sport will not know. It is all part of what makes boxing a sport.

Although, I am still baffled at why it took so long for a coach to notice the problem.
The key is for me to keep practising. I have just a little over two months until the Cup, and this is a very big deal for me. I don't want to 'F' this up.


Stockyards Beatdown In Orangeville

Bad news for Stockyards' boxers this past weekend in Orangeville.
Both Leo and Oliver lost their bouts.

I am not surprised the Leo lost, but after watching the video, I believe that Oliver should have won his.

Coach Richard is pissed about it, and that is understandable.
Unfortunately, boxing is one of those sports in which the object is subjective.

Most sports, basketball for example, has an objective. To put the ball through the basket.
Boxing is not like that. With boxing the objective is really to impress the judges, which is really more subjective. Since there is real no hard and fast rule of how to accomplish that.

Well anyway, Oliver works very hard at the gym, and we should all be proud of him for trying.

======================================================

"The Brick" is an amateur boxer certified by:

www.boxingontario.com

REGISTRATION DUE: January 1

"The Brick" is a member of the Stockyards Boxing Team, and trains 4 times a week at:

215 Ryding Ave. Toronto

stockyardsboxingfitness.com

THIS GYM IS CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW
OTHER GYMS BEING CONSIDERED:
SULLY'S, SIBERIA, CABBAGETOWN

"The Brick"

                                                                        

Sparring Report and More Brampton Cup Training

ENTRY 275

Sparring Report: Wednesday and Thursday

Three rounds on Wednesday, and two rounds on Thursday.
Sparring is getting more interesting now that I have specific areas to work on.

Will has me shadow boxing to practice areas the need to be improved.
When I get into the ring, it is like someone pushes the 'clear' button, and it all goes out the window.

That is quite common with most boxers.
It is a matter of concentrating on what I need to work on, while not forgetting what I am already good at doing.
That is the difficult part about sparring.

Brampton Cup Training Update 2

Will worked with me on defence and balance.

I have apparently had a habit of being off balance, and leaning inward.
Will has noticed this, and is helping me fix it.
I do find it rather odd that in six or more years, nobody else has noticed this.

He has also noticed flaws in my defence.
It is not 'shit', but I agree, it needs work.

Anyway, Will is working with me on this, with drills and pads.

I have a couple of months to the Brampton Cup.
I have a coach that takes things seriously, and as long as that continues, I will do the same.
I want to at least make the finals at the tournament. With a little work, there is no reason I can't.

======================================================

"The Brick" is an amateur boxer certified by:

www.boxingontario.com

REGISTRATION DUE: January 1

"The Brick" is a member of the Stockyards Boxing Team, and trains 4 times a week at:

215 Ryding Ave. Toronto

stockyardsboxingfitness.com

THIS GYM IS CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW
OTHER GYMS BEING CONSIDERED:
SULLY'S, SIBERIA, CABBAGETOWN

"The Brick"

                                                                        

The Long Road To Brampton

ENTRY 274

Sparring Report

On Monday, Richard wanted me to do three rounds with Newton.

As always, he made me work really hard. 

I felt kind of bad, because I was practicing hitting really hard, and Newton is not a really big guy.

I was surprised, the guy can take a punch, and can also throw a couple of good ones as well.

I did not spar Leo, and that is just as well.

There was no sparring on Tuesday.

I did some heavy bag and shadow boxing.

Brampton Cup Training Update

I started my Brampton Cup training with Coach Will on Sunday.

Will pointed out a couple of things he wants me to work on.

I practiced in the mirror for a few rounds.

We also did the sidestep drill again, then we finished with 200 sit-ups.

It was over two hours of training, which I will have to do every week.

During the week, I have to practice what Will taught on the Sunday.

The long road to Brampton.

======================================================

"The Brick" is an amateur boxer certified by:

www.boxingontario.com

REGISTRATION DUE: January 1

"The Brick" is a member of the Stockyards Boxing Team, and trains 4 times a week at:

215 Ryding Ave. Toronto

stockyardsboxingfitness.com

THIS GYM IS CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW
OTHER GYMS BEING CONSIDERED:
SULLY'S, SIBERIA, CABBAGETOWN

"The Brick"