Seasons Greeting from 'The Brick'

   ENTRY 403

SEASONS GREETINGS


Welcome to the last entry of 2017.  The next time there will be an entry on this blog will be January 3.

It has been a rough year for me, and I am more than happy to say goodbye to it.
Especially the first part of the year.
However, mid-year I met an awesome new coach and became part of a great team of boxers.
This coach is fair with his athletes. He does not seem to have any 'favorites' and that is very important. Everyone on the team should be treated equally, and the athletes should be rewarded as too how hard they work. That is exactly how this coach works.

I had a very successful Golden Gloves. I worked hard to get there. Thanks to coach for allowing it to happen. Also, thanks to my employer for giving me the time off to do so.
As I have mentioned in the past, working full time and trying to be a full time athlete at the same time is very difficult and also very stressful.
Thank you to everyone who has to put up with my crap during training camps.

Speaking of training camps, the Brampton Cup training camp starts in about a week.
I don't know if I will be going. There may not be anyone else in my division to be an opponent. However, I will attend the training camp anyway. You never know. Besides, it helps my team mates.

Also for 2018, my media production company, Metropolis Community Media is bringing back RAdiO C \65.  
Surprise!
We are currently conducting limited test broadcasts, and we are hoping to have our full regular programming up and running by mid-January.
RAdiO C \65 is based at a studio in the Stockyards area of Toronto and will feature a multi-format programming schedule. Featuring a mix of all types of music, news and sports, documentaries, and comedy programs.
You can listen through the link on the right of this blog.

That all being said, goodbye to 2017. 
Here's to a great 2018 and a great Christmas season to all.

Cheers.

--'The Brick', Golden Gloves Silver Medalist

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My First Golden Gloves

   ENTRY 402




MY FIRST GOLDEN GLOVES EXPERIENCE
It has happened. I have competed in my first Golden Gloves.

Unfortunately, I did not win the final. 
I walked away with a silver and a nice painful welt under my left eye.
However, it was a great experience.

Golden Gloves Silver

I feel that I did quite well.
Although, my opponent, Jack Chisamore, is a coach. 
Let's all be reasonable about this. It is a very high expectation to win against a coach. Not impossible, but quite a reach. 
I am satisfied that I tried and that I even had the opportunity.

I am also happy that I am getting a lot of ring time with this coach.
I have been in the Silver Gloves and Golden Gloves. That's two tournaments within three months. Also with the same opponent.

Now that the Golden Gloves is over, the coach has told me that I can have a break.
Therefore, I will be taking this week off from the gym, but I will be returning for regular training next week.

What is next?
I am really not sure, but I need to stay in training and in good conditioning because the coach at any time could tell me he has found an opponent for me on an upcoming card.

The two silvers look good hanging from my trophy shelf.

WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH METROPOLIS TV AND RAdiO C-65?

I have had a few questions about the state of Metropolis TV and RAdiO C-65.
In particular, What happened to them?

Let me explain.
RAdiO C-65 was an internet-based radio station run by my broadcasting company, D-I-T-O Productions of Toronto.
It was taken down earlier this year due to financial and time restraints. I wanted to channel more resources into Metropolis TV.
That being said, Metropolis TV is an internet-based TV production service also run by D-I-T-O Productions of Toronto.
We have stopped producing programming temporarily but will be starting again soon.
We no longer cover boxing, which was our main type of programming.
The reason we have stopped is a combination of a few things.
One being time. For the past few months, I was juggling my full-time job plus training for both the Silver and Golden Gloves.
Another reason we no longer cover boxing is due to the fact that YouTube for some reason frowns upon boxing. They appaer to be removing monetization from boxing videos on their system with the message 'Not advertiser freindly'. At least from mine. I find that very odd since boxing is shown on TV all the time with lots of advertising. 
The advertising revenue is important to Metropolis TV because it is the main source of income to help pay the production costs. I do not get paid for covering these events.

Not to worry.
Metropolis TV is planning new programming for 2018. 
Stay tuned!


-- 'The Brick', Golden Gloves Silver Medalist

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Dreams Of Gold

   ENTRY 401




Dreams of gold.  

The Golden Gloves tournament starts tomorrow. However, my division does not have preliminaries so I will go right to the finals. 
My opponent will be Jack Chisamore from Kingston.
Our bout is during the very last session on Sunday afternoon.

I finally did it. I made it to the Golden Gloves. I have been trying to get to that tournament for three years, and something always happened to prevent me from going.

Being in the last session gives me an additional three days to train.
My work gave me the entire weekend off so I will be training today, Thursday, and Friday. 
On Saturday, if anyone from my team will be competing, I will go in and watch.

On Sunday, it will be my turn in the spotlight.
Weigh-ins are at 8 AM. That means getting up at 6 AM because I have to allow an hour to get there. Bus service is not the best that early on a Sunday morning, and there will be no subway service either.

The key will be to work my butt off in the gym until then. 
I have extra time, I should take advantage of it.  
I have to get lots of sleep on Saturday night.

My weight is very close to what it should be, but I need to be careful.
It is going to be a salad and chicken breast diet for the next few days. Then a nice load-up breakfast on Sunday.

For anyone interested in seeing the Golden Gloves live, here is the address:

Don Valley Suites Hotel
175 Wynford Drive
Toronto

There are six sessions:

Thursday 7PM
Friday 1PM and 7PM
Saturday 1PM and 7PM
Sunday 12noon

I will be in the Sunday session.

The bout schedule is here (subject to change): Golden Gloves Schedule 


--Paul "The Brick" Brec, Silver Gloves Silver Medalist

Back From Hiatus (The Blog, Not Me)

   ENTRY 400



Welcome back, my friends. It has been a while.
It has been a very rough year for 'The Brick', but I made it through, and now I am back better than ever.

I remember back when I decided to leave Boxing Ontario for the Ontario Boxing Association.
I was going through a rough time deciding what to do. I remember referencing the song "Solsbury Hill". About letting other things go in order to pursue something that could possibly be better.

As you all know, it did not make things better. It made things worse.
The OBA turned out to be a 'ghetto' organization. Very unprofessional with no fixed rules in place. I was very concerned about the safety of boxing under OBA 'rules'. 
They would often make up rules as they went along. 
Comparing to Boxing Ontario that has very strict safety regulations and has a very good safety record, amongst all sports, not just boxing,
I had to make the decision to go back to Boxing Ontario. However, they were pissed off at me as well. I wasn't even sure if they would allow me back.

As it turned out, the Boxing Ontario door did not lock when I let it close behind me, and the organization was happy to allow me back.
I think that the temporary move away from Boxing Ontario has made me appreciate that organization even more.

I am not the only one. I am hearing many stories of situations where boxers are leaving the Ontario Boxing Association for Boxing Ontario.

All I can suggest to anyone interested in competitive boxing in Ontario is to not even bother with the OBA. They may be less expensive, but you get what you pay for.
Look only for a Boxing Ontario certified boxing club.

Now, with that out of the way, I can look forward to a future in boxing,

My wife asked me when I was planning on retiring from boxing. 
I don't know why she asked that, and it was odd for her to ask since she knows how much I like the sport.
My answer to that is: 'I don't know.'
Retiring from a sport you love is generally something you don't plan too far in advance.
All I can say is that I am registered with Boxing Ontario as a competitor until the end of 2018, so it will definitely not be before that.

Since returning to Boxing Ontario, I have been to the Silver Gloves tournament, and I am on my way to the Golden Gloves and Provincial Championships.

I am now on a new team with a new coach.
Although, I have to admit that I have had bad luck with coaches in the past, so I still have my 'feelers' out.

I discovered Coach Billy at a card that my old gym, Stockyards Boxing, was hosting back in April.
He had two boxers there, Mike and Luciano. Both are now part of my team and are really cool guys. 
Most of the team are okay people.

There is also Coach Sandy whom usually teaches the girl's classes but often helps the guys too.   

So far I have to say I like training at Xtreme Couture Toronto.
Although, I pay a lot train there. Almost three times more than what I paid at both Stockyards and the Toronto Boxing Academy. However, that has a lot to do with my membership type.
In addition to getting personal training sessions with the coach, I have full access to the entire facility including all classes.
That means that I don't have to stick to boxing.
Of course, you all know I won't move from boxing. I have always said that if you are going to train in a combat discipline, pick one and get really good at it.
I have posted about this before. 
Any guy who is seasoned at a combat sport can easily kick the butt of a "Jack-of-all-trades" MMA guy.
Connor McGregor knows all about that.
By-the-way, it is reported that Mr. McGregor is in trouble over something that happened in Ireland. 

Anyway, back to me and about my training.
I am happy to be back competing in the sport that I love. 

I won silver in the Silver Gloves back in September.

The Golden Gloves and Ontario Championship is in just over a week.
For what it looks like now, I will be going. It also looks like I will have the same opponent from the Silver Gloves.

This is a dual-tournament consisting of both Golden Gloves and Provincial Championships.
I am not really sure how that works. 
I think what it means is that if you win gold in the Gloves, you are also the provincial champion in your division.

However it is done, this is a big tournament that boxers take very seriously.
I have just over a week to train.
I am working very hard trying to be an athlete and work full time as well.

I am not going to settle for a silver. I deserve a gold.

"With a little effort and a lot of determination, nothing is impossible."

-Paul 'The Brick' Brec, Silver Gloves Silver Medalist

Coming Back Soon

COMING (BACK) SOON !

SPECIAL ENTRY: Golden Gloves Opponent Announced

SPECIAL ENTRY

GOLDEN GLOVES OPPONENT ANNOUNCED

The draw for this Saturday's Golden Gloves bouts has been completed.
My opponent will be Karl Dahl from Leading Edge MMA in Thunder Bay.
There were three boxers in my division, and the third one will be the bye.
The bye will compete on a later date with the winner from Saturday.
So it looks like there will be no quarter-final in my division.

So there you have it...

Anyone in Kitchener this weekend, join us at Elements for 12 great Golden Gloves bouts.

Please come out and support amateur boxing in Ontario/

--The Brick


Oh, and the bye for my division is Scott Turnbull.
No pressure.
I'm fine.


TEMPORARY CHANGE IN PUBLICATION SCHEDULE

Due to the Golden Gloves Series on April 8, 22, 29, and the holidays (Easter), there will be no blogs published during the weekends for the rest of April. Instead, blogs will be posted on Monday or Tuesday.

Regular schedule returns in May.
Vlogs will also be returning sometime in May.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
'ANOTHER BRICK IN THE SPRAWL' VLOG ARCHIVE  
=================================================================
ENTRY 001  JANUARY 4 2017   "Another Brick In the Sprawl, pt. 2"   
ENTRY 002  JANUARY 11 2017  "Crappy Computers and Electronics"
ENTRY 003  JANUARY 18 2017  "I Listen To Weird Music?"
ENTRY 004  JANUARY 26 2017  "Why You Should Not Lease From EasyHome"
ENTRY 005  FEBRUARY 2 2017  "Can You Show Me How To Edit?"
ENTRY 006   TBA

=======================================================+=======

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

'THE BRICK' TRAINS AT:

2389 St.Clair Ave. W. Toronto

Tuesday and Thursday, some Saturdays

--and--

2295 Dundas St. W. Toronto

Friday.

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Crunch Time !

ENTRY 392

GOLDEN GLOVES TRAINING UPDATE: CRUNCH TIME !

I did six rounds of sparring on Saturday, and received some valuable feedback from coach.
He wants me in early on Tuesday for some extra work.
I will also still be going in for training on Wednesday and Thursday as usual.
Friday will be a day of rest, and then Saturday is the big day. My very first major tournament.

They have still not told me who my opponent will be. 
They were supposed to do the draw on Friday, but I have not heard anything,
I hope it is soon, because I really do not like finding out my opponent on very short notice.

How this will work is those who win on Saturday will go on to compete again on the 22nd, and those who win there will be in the finals on April 29 in Mississauga.

I am not sure where April 22 is being held.

That being said, Stockyards Boxing will be hosting a Fight Night on April 22 as well, and it could well be the first one I don't attend.

One week to go! 
Let's go!


TEMPORARY CHANGE IN PUBLICATION SCHEDULE

Due to the Golden Gloves Series on April 8, 22, 29, and the holidays (Easter), there will be no blogs published during the weekends for the rest of April. Instead, blogs will be posted on Monday or Tuesday.

Regular schedule returns in May.
Vlogs will also be returning sometime in May.

--The Brick

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
'ANOTHER BRICK IN THE SPRAWL' VLOG ARCHIVE  
=================================================================
ENTRY 001  JANUARY 4 2017   "Another Brick In the Sprawl, pt. 2"   
ENTRY 002  JANUARY 11 2017  "Crappy Computers and Electronics"
ENTRY 003  JANUARY 18 2017  "I Listen To Weird Music?"
ENTRY 004  JANUARY 26 2017  "Why You Should Not Lease From EasyHome"
ENTRY 005  FEBRUARY 2 2017  "Can You Show Me How To Edit?"
ENTRY 006   TBA

=======================================================+=======

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

'THE BRICK' TRAINS AT:

2389 St.Clair Ave. W. Toronto

Tuesday and Thursday, some Saturdays

--and--

2295 Dundas St. W. Toronto

Friday.

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Training Update and Possible Charity Event

ENTRY 391

GOLDEN GLOVES TRAINING UPDATE

It is exactly two weeks to the Golden Gloves preliminaries.
Time to ramp-up.

I have to say I am getting a bit nervous about it already.

In the past, Golden Gloves tournaments were held in large venues, and they would have three rings going at the same time, so all the attention was not on you.
This time, they are holding it at a smaller venue with only one ring.
I am not really sure how they are even going to get through all of the preliminaries in just one day. 
Are they going to be one-minute rounds?

I don't even know who my opponent will be.
The draw will be this Friday, and they will be doing it over Facebook.
That also seems that it might be a bit lengthy, and does not guarantee that there will be an opponent in any one division. That is unlikely, since there are apparently a lot of boxers registered, and a lot of masters registered.
Come to think of it, why were there never many masters registered in the Boxing Ontario tournaments?
I could never get into a tournament when I was with Boxing Ontario because I could never get an opponent.
Interesting isn't it?


POSSIBLE CHARITY MATCH IN MAY

I have been invited to compete at a charity event in St. Catherines in May.
The event is called 'Fight For Youth'.
I have expressed interest, but have not heard if they were able to find me an opponent.
I really would not mind doing that one. I have never been in a charity event. 
I hope they find someone for me.


DIET IS A SUCCESS

My diet is still working.This past week I lost a pound and a half, and gained a bit of muscle mass as well.

This week's readings:

Last week's readings:

See. When you really put your mind to something and take it seriously, you make things happen.

Two weeks to go! 
Let's go!

--The Brick

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
'ANOTHER BRICK IN THE SPRAWL' VLOG ARCHIVE  
=================================================================
ENTRY 001  JANUARY 4 2017   "Another Brick In the Sprawl, pt. 2"   
ENTRY 002  JANUARY 11 2017  "Crappy Computers and Electronics"
ENTRY 003  JANUARY 18 2017  "I Listen To Weird Music?"
ENTRY 004  JANUARY 26 2017  "Why You Should Not Lease From EasyHome"
ENTRY 005  FEBRUARY 2 2017  "Can You Show Me How To Edit?"
ENTRY 006   TBA

=======================================================+=======

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

'THE BRICK' TRAINS AT:

2389 St.Clair Ave. W. Toronto

Tuesday and Thursday, some Saturdays

--and--

2295 Dundas St. W. Toronto

Friday.

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Going In the Right Direction

ENTRY 390

With just three weeks to go until the Golden Gloves preliminaries, I am slowly beginning to ramp-up training.

I have been doing target pad work with the coach plus working on a couple of things he suggested, in addition to that leg-killer treadmill exercise. I have also been working abs every day, and cardio.

Working on both technical and power on the heavy bag, and defence using the double-ended ball.

I have even gone back to using the speed bag. I have not done speed bag in a long time. 

I didn't forget how.

On Saturday I sparred eight rounds. Four with Coach Brock and four with Sarah.

I like sparring the coach because he can give me feedback better than if he was just watching.

I have a couple of small things to still work on. 

That is not a problem. My feeling is that there is no such thing as the perfect athlete. 

There should always be something to work on to continue raising the bar.

. 

As I mentioned last week, in addition to more training, I will be on a special diet to keep myself well within the Light-Heavyweight division.

It seems to be working.

With my new diet plus just an additional 20 minutes of cardio three times this week, this is what I was able to achieve in just one week.

Here are this week's readings:

Compared to last week's:

Fat is down, muscle mass is up, and I lost a total of two pounds.
That is always a good thing.
It is not a huge change, but it is a change in the right direction.

Three weeks to go! 
Let's go!

--The Brick

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
'ANOTHER BRICK IN THE SPRAWL' VLOG ARCHIVE  
=================================================================
ENTRY 001  JANUARY 4 2017   "Another Brick In the Sprawl, pt. 2"   
ENTRY 002  JANUARY 11 2017  "Crappy Computers and Electronics"
ENTRY 003  JANUARY 18 2017  "I Listen To Weird Music?"
ENTRY 004  JANUARY 26 2017  "Why You Should Not Lease From EasyHome"
ENTRY 005  FEBRUARY 2 2017  "Can You Show Me How To Edit?"
ENTRY 006   TBA

=======================================================+=======

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

'THE BRICK' TRAINS AT:

2389 St.Clair Ave. W. Toronto

Tuesday and Thursday, some Saturdays

--and--

2295 Dundas St. W. Toronto

Friday.

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