Preparing To Prepare For the Brampton Cup ~ The Year In Review

    ENTRY 446

PREPARING TO PREPARE FOR THE BRAMPTON CUP

The 2019 Brampton cup is a little less than six weeks away.
Once the Holidays are over I will have just about one month to prepare.
There is already one guy in my division. I have to make sure I stay below the 81 kg threshold to stay in Light-Heavyweight.
For the Golden Gloves I went up a bit and it turned out to be a mistake.
The problem is going to be resisting all the junk over the Holidays. I'm going to be the only "freak" at the party saying, "I can't eat that. I'm in training". Hee...hee...hee...
Right now I am hovering right around 81 kg, but sometimes I slip to higher.  I have to make absolutely sure I am no higher that 81 at the time of weigh-in.
The current registrant for the Brampton Cup is from Detroit. I have already met him through Facebook. 
I want to make this work because I have never had an opponent from out of Ontario. I think this will be quite interesting.

I have not been to Cabbagetown all month, but that does not mean I have not been exercising. 
I have still been doing my weight training and cardio at Bloor Fitness. I am just taking a bit of a break from boxing training.

Although I admit I have been upstairs in the boxing area doing heavy bag and shadow boxing, a bit, but, hey, it's the Brampton Cup! I have to be ready.

I was very stressed at the Golden Gloves and it was recommended by the Boxing Ontario medical examiner that I take a break. 
Even he could tell that I was stressed out of my head.
This hiatus from boxing is going to help. Then, when I start up again on January 2, I will be refreshed and ready to go.


SAYING GOODBYE TO 2018: THE YEAR IN REVIEW

2018 was an interesting year.
It saw me realize the importance of having a good coach.
It saw me finally finding a good coach, and realizing how poor most of my previous coaches really were.

I have been criticized for frequently changing gyms and coaches. 
First of all, if I want to change gyms frequently, that is my right. More importantly, the reason for doing so is that you really can not tell how good a coach is unless you actually get the chance to work with him. Otherwise, you are making an unfair assumption. 
Let's all be honest, many coaches don't like coaching Masters. There are coaches out there who are only interested in guys who want to become professional. 
It is easier for the younger guys. They can go anywhere and get decent coaching. 


SAYING HELLO TO 2019: THE YEAR IN PREVIEW

No one can really predict the future.
However, we can help steer it into the right direction.
I still have a major announcement to make. I didn't forget. I will be making the announcement right here after the Brampton Cup.


NEW REDDIT MASTERS BOXING COMMUNITY

For boxers, coaches, and clubs interested in the Masters division, I have created a Reddit community to discuss anything about Masters boxing.
Please visit here: Masters Boxing on Reddit for more information or to request to join. Once accepted, individual posts do not need approval.


RAdiO C: \65 SERVER UPGRADE AND MOVING

Metropolis Broadcasting was unhappy with the server performance provided by the last provider.
Therefore, we are in the process of changing providers, moving and upgrading servers.

We are pleased to announce all new programming provided 24/7/365 beginning sometime in January.
Look here for updates.


HAPPY "WHATEVER DOESN'T OFFEND YOU"

From me, "The Brick",  and everyone at Metropolis Broadcasting, we wish you all "Whatever Doesn't Offend You".

We will be back during the first week of January.


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--Paul 'The Brick' Brec

Brampton Cup Surprise

    ENTRY 445

MY COACH JUST KEEPS GETTING MORE AND MORE COOL

I just recently participated in a discussion on the Masters Boxing Division Facebook group.
I was talking about coaches and about how I have had a lot of poor coaches in the past and about how great my current coaches are.

This past weekend I met the head coach, Peter Wylie, for the very first time and he is an awesome guy. I told him how happy I was with the coaches at Cabbagetown.
I meant it. Although they are not perfect, they are the best I have had in the six years I have been boxing.

My training coach, Johnny Kalbhenn is very humble about his past. He really does not talk about himself. 
Anything I know about him I had to research myself. 
Thus far I know that he was in the 1984 Olympics. That is cool on its own, but I recently found out more. He was in movies and TV shows.
He was a cornerman in the film "Cinderella Man".
He was a referee in "Against the Ropes" and "Phantom Punch" and also in the TV movie "Rocky Marciano".

Wow, cool.

I have not seen any of these, but I guess I will now.


BRAMPTON CUP SURPRISE

Just like with the Golden Gloves, I wasn't planning on going to the Brampton Cup.
However, I thought that this may be my very last chance to be in it, I was still contemplating.
However, yesterday, I guy from Detroit registered in my division.
He actually mentioned it in a comment in the Masters Boxing Division Facebook group. 
He asked me if I was going to the Brampton Cup.
I wasn't sure, but I guess I am now.

That means that after my well-deserved break, it will once again be crunch-time.

I may have considered finishing my break a week early, but that will be the Holidays and the gym will likely not be open most days, so I will rest and prepare.

Brampton Cup training begins in two weeks! 


NOTE: Next week will be the last blog entry for 2018. There will be no blog during the Holidays.

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--Paul 'The Brick' Brec

Another Golden Gloves Is History

    ENTRY 444

ANOTHER GOLDEN GLOVES IN THE HISTORY BOOKS

To say the least, this past weekend was interesting.

I enjoyed staying in Niagara Falls.
The boxing club supplied the hotel room. 
We stayed at the Marriott right across from the convention center.
We went for dinner with the coach on Friday and then after we took a walk along the Falls to "work it off". 

View from the hotel

"Work-off Walk"

"Work-off Walk"

Convention Center in Niagara Falls

As for the Golden Gloves, not so much.

Both Masters bouts ended in an RSC 1.

I am not surprised by Ian Smith's bout. I expect it to end that way.

Mine. I expected to do a bit better. I at least expected to go at least the full three rounds.
I was completely thrown off because my opponent changed from his usual technique.

I was told that he likes to work inside. The advise I was given was to jab him away.
I did that and it didn't work. He came in with a flurry from the outside and pushed me back.

He changed his strategy.
I had advice from a former opponent and also my coach gave the same advice because we were expecting him to try to get inside. 
My strategy was different. 
I wanted to fake left, step right, fake a jab, drop to the body and throw a left and right hook to the body, then up and jab the head, pivot right, drop down and jab the body, then overhand right to the forehead.
I really wanted to try that but my coach was dead set on keeping him away with a constant jab.
I did that and it obviously didn't work.

I am now one bout away from becoming Open class.

I have decided to take a few days (a month) off from boxing. I need to unwind and not think about the boxing gym for a while. I need to refresh and get my crap together.

I can still do my running and swimming at the University of Toronto Athletics Department where I usually go on weekends. For the rest of my training, I can go to Bloor Fitness. 
Just because I am taking a break from boxing does not mean I should completely stop exercising.  

I will be returning to boxing training during the first week of January, but I really want to ramp up sparring.
One thing that threw me off was having an aggressive opponent. I need more aggressive sparring. The coaches have to stop with that damn Grandpa Syndrom when it comes to sparring. 
**Don't go easy on the Master because his opponent won't.** 
Open sparring should be just like a competition. Anything less won't help.


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--Paul 'The Brick' Brec

Looks Like I Am Going To Niagara Falls

    ENTRY 443

NIAGARA FALLS BOUND

To be totally honest with everyone, I wasn't expecting to get into the Golden Gloves this year. Although I was training for it, the back of my mind was telling me that it wasn't going to happen so it affected my training a bit. I probably could have put a bit more into it.
I didn't go to the Silver Gloves because I didn't have an opponent so I was expecting the same to happen with the Golden Gloves. 
I asked my coach to not to register me for the tournament unless there was an opponent for me. Sure enough, yesterday, a guy from Ajax registered.
It was odd because it was a higher weight class, but the coach put me in at that class anyway.

Suddenly, all the Masters came out of the woodwork.
That is a lot of Masters signed-up for the Golden Gloves.
Look at Middleweight. I think that is the first time I have seen more than two in the same category. There is going to be a bye in that category. Unusual for the Masters.

Oh and look, It's the triumphant return of Ian Smith.
Remember my buddy Ian from the Bronze Gloves?
I can't help but feel a bit sorry for that guy with zero bouts if he stepping into the ring versus Ian.

As for myself, I have one bout. I'm not sure what day it will be. I will find out on Monday.

I am ramping up training like crazy. 
Coach has me sparring like a madman. 10 rounds on Thursday and 10 rounds on Friday, and possibly at least one session next week.

This is also my very first time representing the Cabbagetown Boxing Club.
The pressure is on.

There will be no blog entry next week as I prepare for the Gloves, but I will keep everyone updated with Special Entries.



TRAINING SCHEDULE

Currently training 6 days a week, until November 26:

MONDAY: Swimming, 25 min @ University of Toronto Athletics 
TUESDAY: Technical Training and Sparring 90 min @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club
WEDNESDAY: Core and Weight Training, 60 min @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club 
THURSDAY: Technical Training and Core Training 90 min @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club
FRIDAY: Sparring, 6 - 10 rounds @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club
SATURDAY: Running/sprints, 30 min @ University of Toronto Athletics
SUNDAY: Rest day

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--Paul 'The Brick' Brec

Thursday and Friday Sparring

    ENTRY 442

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY SPARRING 

I have started attending more morning sessions at Cabbagetown following advice from Coach.
He said that there would be more options for sparring in the morning as that is when most of the Masters are there. He wants me sparring a lot more.
I did four rounds on Thursday and ten rounds on Friday.
Keeping in mind that when I attend the morning sessions I go right after work. I have to carry my gear and work crap on the subway during rush hour from Finch West station down and east to Castle Frank station.
Being already tired and having to fight with the rush hour idiots and that is generally a 45-minute trip...of dealing with rush hour idiots.
Anyone who says Canadians are always polite has never ridden on public transit in Toronto during rush hour.
Anyway, one Friday after doing ten rounds, Coach said to me "That's it? What, out partying all night?"
Yeah. I wish I had time to party.  
He was joking of course. He knows I work the night shift. Still, to go in after working all night and be able to train for over an hour including sparring...Not bad. 

I am still officially training for the Golden Gloves although I don't know if I will be going. There may not be an opponent for me and plus the cost involved. I will have to take time off and also pay to stay in Niagara Falls.
I still don't understand why they are having it in Niagara Falls.



TRAINING SCHEDULE

Currently training 6 days a week, until November 26:

MONDAY: Swimming, 25 min @ University of Toronto Athletics 
TUESDAY: Technical Training and Sparring 90 min @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club
WEDNESDAY: Core and Weight Training, 60 min @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club 
THURSDAY: Technical Training and Core Training 90 min @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club
FRIDAY: Sparring, 6 - 10 rounds @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club
SATURDAY: Running/sprints, 30 min @ University of Toronto Athletics
SUNDAY: Rest day

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--Paul 'The Brick' Brec

They Did That?

    ENTRY 441

THEY DID THAT? 

I went into the gym on Tuesday for my usual evening session, and there was some stranger in there setting up a projector and he said "Gym is closed for a special event."
Nice. I would really have appreciated it if someone would have let me know. I traveled all the way from the Stockyards to Cabbagetown for absolutely nothing.
For those who don't know Toronto, that is half-way across the city. About 45 minutes each way.
Needless to say I was a little slightly pissed off.

Of course, the next time I was in on Wednesday morning I mentioned it and was told, "There was a sign on the door."
Really?
Well, if I wasn't there on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday as I usually am not, I am not going to see the fucking sign.

I found out that the Cabbagetown BIA rented it for some kind of awards program.
That in itself is a peeve of mine anyway. As I have said before, you are either a boxing gym, or not. Make up your mind.
I can understand they want to make a bit of extra money, but they shouldn't inconvenience their boxers. 
For example, there are three daily sessions, at 9 AM, 1 PM and 6 PM. Each session is about two hours long. Also, there are no sessions on Saturday or Sunday afternoons.
You see where I am going with this, right?
Also, there is a huge meeting room on the main floor under the boxing gym. 
You see where I am going with this, right?

Since I was there anyway, I went to the Cabbagetown Tim Horton's. 537 Parliament Street.
I generally go for a tea of coffee after boxing to wait for the 65 Parliament bus which is generally late (shocker).
It was very windy that day. Important to know for later.
I ordered a medium decaf coffee with double-double. Very simple order, right?
Not for them. That location has a history of crewing up orders, even simple ones.
She brought me a cup with some kind of a tea bag in it. Obviously not a decaf coffee, but it was a double-double. At least she got that right.
The problem was: Cream in tea? 
Gross.
I didn't feel like waiting for her to get it right, because in there it generally takes a few tries.

A few minutes later as I was attempting to enjoy my unknown tea with double cream, we lost power on the street.
The same dingy who screwed up my order came into the dining room and told everyone to leave because, "We have no lights".
No kidding? You noticed that, did you?
What I didn't understand is why we had to leave. I mean, I can understand not taking an new orders, but I was already there! I didn't need light to 'enjoy' my 'tea'. 
I asked her why we had to leave and she said, "I don't want to have to open the door every time someone wants to leave".
Awwww. Poor baby.
She can't get a simple order correct. Heaven forbid she might have to get up off her butt and open the door for a customer.
So, I finished my swamp mixture outside at the bus stop. Fortunately, it wasn't raining, but it was almost a 20-minute wait for a bus on top of the time I was in the restaurant. 
Every 10 minutes my ass.

Anyway, I had to add an additional 30 minutes on to all of my other training sessions to make up for Tuesday. Time that I really didn't have.


REDDIT?...FORGETTIT!

I'm on a roll. Let me keep going.

How many of you have used Reddit? I don't mean just read articles from it. I mean actually have an account and "use" it?
I find it really confusing.
There are categories called Subreddits and each one has its own set of rules.
Why?
Just have one set of rules for everything.
Then, when you participate in something, you get Karma Points.
The thing is, you don't get to keep them. They apparently expire after a day or so. Therefore, in order to get and keep Points, you need to be participating in Reddit discussions 24/7/365.
Who has time for that?
I barely have time to piss.

Forgettit.


TRAINING SCHEDULE

Currently training 6 days a week, until November 26:

MONDAY: Swimming, 25 min @ University of Toronto Athletics 
TUESDAY: Technical Training and Sparring 90 min @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club
WEDNESDAY: Core and Weight Training, 60 min @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club 
THURSDAY: Technical Training and Core Training 90 min @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club
FRIDAY: Sparring, 6 - 10 rounds @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club
SATURDAY: Running/sprints, 30 min @ University of Toronto Athletics
SUNDAY: Rest day

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--Paul 'The Brick' Brec

Golden Gloves Training Has Begun

    ENTRY 440

GOLDEN GLOVES TRAINING IS ON 

Training for the Golden Gloves has officially started.

I will be training for six days a week and for longer at each session with a focus on technique.
Sparring at least twice per week. 
Although my coach wants me to do more sparring than that. 
I did do a couple of rounds on Tuesday, but I was really tired and the coach would not let me continue. I can understand that because it becomes a safety issue.

It is rough working full-time nights and training for boxing at the same time, but somehow I am managing.
What I do is on my nights off, I train during the evening session. On my nights on, I train during the morning session. It is easy for me to get to the gym right from work, although it does mean carrying all of my gear to work.
Pain in the ass but necessary.

During Thursday morning session, I did some target pad work with Coach Johnny.
I did some drills with him and then he had me do an entire round of just fast uppercuts.
I liked that drill. It wore me out but that's the idea. Work on improving endurance. One of the most important parts of boxing,


FRIDAY MORNING SPARRING

Seven rounds of sparring on Friday.
I once again gave Connor a nice right-cross to the chin again. Two actually.
He isn't "new" anymore so I am not being easy him anymore.
Keep your guard up!

GAINS ARE WORKING...OR NOT

I have been working every week on a weight-training program that one of the coaches put me on two months ago and it appears to be working but...
I`ve gained weight.
I`m up to 80 kg again. It is muscle gain, but I`m going in the wrong direction. The coaches want me to drop to Middleweight.
So, well, wait...
What?

I've talked to my physician and he said that I was fine the way I was and that dropping a bit wouldn't hurt as long as I did not try to drop too quickly or try any crazy way to do it.
Although my BMI is 26, my physician does not believe in BMI because it does not take muscle mass into consideration.
So, from a healthy side, I am fine, but how do I drop and get stronger at the same time?



TRAINING SCHEDULE

Currently training 6 days a week, until November 26:

MONDAY: Swimming, 25 min @ University of Toronto Athletics 
TUESDAY: Technical Training and Sparring 90 min @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club
WEDNESDAY: Core and Weight Training, 60 min @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club 
THURSDAY: Technical Training and Core Training 90 min @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club
FRIDAY: Sparring, 6 - 10 rounds @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club
SATURDAY: Running/sprints, 30 min @ University of Toronto Athletics
SUNDAY: Rest day


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--Paul 'The Brick' Brec

Golden Gloves Announced ~ Golden Gloves Training

    ENTRY 439

GOLDEN GLOVES COMING SOON BUT NOT IN TORONTO


Boxing Ontario has just announced the Golden Gloves will be held during the first weekend of December.
However, for every year previously it has been held in Toronto, but not this year.

Here is a hint: Honeymoon Suite.

Yes. This year the Golden Gloves is being held at the Scotiabank Convention Centre on Stanley Street in Niagara Falls.

The thing is that almost everyone who will be competing in the Golden Gloves will have to stay in Niagara Falls.

The good news is that hotels in Niagara Falls are very inexpensive this time of year. I have seen as low as $50 per night.
However, I don't think the hotels know that their city is going to be hosting the Golden Gloves this year...yet.
All the athletes converging onto Niagara Falls for one weekend is going to create one hell of a demand for rooms. That is going to cause rates to go up. Possibly double. 
My suggestion to anyone planning on going to the Golden Gloves is to reserve your room NOW, because once the hotels discover what will be going on that weekend, that's all she wrote. You can always cancel if you don't go. 

I have decided to wait and see if anyone else registers in my division before I register.

Boxing Ontario still owes me $40 from the Silver Gloves. I think it will be a while before I see that.


GOLDEN GLOVES TRAINING STARTS NEXT WEEK

Training starts next week for the Golden Gloves tournament. I have to prepare just in case.
I will be going back to six times per week and longer sessions of 90 minutes or more.


DID THE STAIRS

I did do those stairs a couple of times while I was in Hamilton.
Not that difficult, but it should not be for me anyway.


TRAINING SCHEDULE

Currently training 5 days a week:

MONDAY: Swimming and running/sprints, 45 min @ University of Toronto Athletics 
TUESDAY: Technical Training, 60 min @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club
WEDNESDAY: Core and Weight Training, 60 min @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club 
THURSDAY: Technical Training, 60 min @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club
FRIDAY: Sparring, 6 - 8 rounds @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club
SATURDAY: Rest day
SUNDAY: Rest day


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--Paul 'The Brick' Brec

No Silver Gloves For You Young Man!

    ENTRY 438

NO SILVER GLOVES FOR YOU, YOUNG MAN!


As it has turned out, nobody else in my category registered for the Silver Gloves this year.
That means that I will not be going. At least not as a competitor.
Therefore, my wife and I will be going away instead. I may as well since I have already booked off from work. We will be visiting friends in Hamilton. Not much of a vacation but at least it is time away from hell, I mean work.

I hope that also means getting the registration fee back. I need it to put towards the Golden Gloves registration.

One thing I find interesting about this whole thing, remember the 'cheater' from the Bronze Gloves?  I didn't see him registered for the Silver Gloves. Ian Smith from Combative.

The things that make you go 'Hmmmmmmm'…!



REASON WHY CABBAGETOWN HAS THE BEST COACHES

I wanted to discuss this before but that was when I didn't want to reveal my boxing gym, so I couldn't. 
Now, I can talk about why the coaches at Cabbagetown Boxing Club are better than any others.

Volunteers.

The coaches at Cabbagetown are volunteers.
That means that they must really like coaching...and that means they put a lot of effort into it.
As an example, it costs almost $200 per month to train at Xtreme Couture so one would think that they have excellent coaches. Actually, the coaches are terrible. 
The reason is that they are getting paid to be coaches, so just like anyone else at work, they do the absolute bare minimum required.

I can go on about this, but it would take another two entries and will likely bore you.
...so let's move on...

It costs only $40 to train at Cabbagetown because the coaches are not paid.
It is interesting that the least expensive boxing gym has the best coaching.

Like I said in a previous entry, the Cabbagetown coaches found flaws in my technique that no other coach could find, or maybe they did but just didn't care.
My guess is the latter.


AWAY NEXT WEEK

During the week of October 14 to 18, I will be away with my wife in Hamilton to visit some friends.
That means no blog entry and no gym. I have already told coach Johnny that I will not be in next week.
I will, however, be climbing these stairs in lieu of training at the gym:

The trees are hiding most of them, but the stairs go as high as the treetops.
These put the "Rocky" Philadelphia Museum of Arts stairs to shame.

TRAINING SCHEDULE

Currently training 5 days a week, upon returning from vacation:

MONDAY: Swimming and running/sprints, 45 min @ University of Toronto Athletics 
TUESDAY: Technical Training, 60 min @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club
WEDNESDAY: Core and Weight Training, 60 min @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club 
THURSDAY: Technical Training, 60 min @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club
FRIDAY: Sparring, 6 - 8 rounds @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club
SATURDAY: Rest day
SUNDAY: Rest day


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--Paul 'The Brick' Brec