I Can See Clearly Now--The Year In Review

 

    ENTRY 525| DECEMBER 23 /2023

I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW

Welcome to the last entry for the year 2023.

This past year has been a real game-changer for me in various ways.

One big one was that I realized that the Cabbagetown Boxing Club is really not that different to any other boxing gym that I have attended as far as the treatment of the Masters boxers.

You already know the story of Rey. but another coach pulled one on Thursday.

The coach in question has had a history of never giving me very much sparring time and I never knew the reason, so on that particular occasion I asked, and his reply was"We need to give more time to the guys who are competing."

Well, what the hell am I doing? Wasting time?

Now two coaches at Cabbagetown are not taking me seriously. One thinks I am "Too old" and the other thinks I am just there because I have nothing better to do with my time.

What the hell is going on? The Cabbagetown Boxing Club was not like that pre-pandemic. It has just been this year.

It does not make sense that someone would take the time to go to a coaching seminar and then not want to coach.

Coach Johnny on the other hand told me that he likes coaching and it shows. 

That is the reason why I am so particular about who I allow to coach me. There are still many coaches who do not want to coach Masters for ridiculous reasons. To put it bluntly, it doesn't matter how you feel. You are a certified coach so do your fucking job!

That being said, I am still very happy with the quality of coaching I get from Johnny, so I am going to keep training to the best I can. I am going to the Brampton Cup, and I am going to win Gold at the Brampton Cup---for Johnny.

For Masters boxers out there, be very careful when choosing a coach. 

I suggest not even telling the coach you are a Master until it is absolutely necessary.

THE YEAR IN REVIEW

Despite the few problems, I feel that 2023 was a very productive year in boxing for me.

That is thanks mostly to Coach Johnny, but also to other boxers who have worked with me.

I could not have done it without you.

THE FUTURE: LOOKING TO 2024

 I predict a more positive 2024. I will keep training with Coach Johnny as long as he remains at the Cabbagetown Boxing Club and if he leaves, so will I, but I don't see that happening soon.

After my next bout, I will be moved automatically into the Open division. That will mean longer rounds and different rules but I feel that with Johnny's continuous help, I will get by just fine.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Merry Christmas/Happy New Year/Happy Holidays to all my readers.

Please join me here again in 2024.

--'The Brick'

NEXT ENTRY: January 6 /2024 

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ABOUT 'The Brick;

'The Brick' is a competitive boxer, training since 1982.

Political lean: None. (middle)

Personality Type (Myers-Briggs): INTJ

Education: College Diploma (Applied Arts)

Lives in: Toronto, Ontario, Canada  (The Junction/Stockyards Village)

Born in: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Entertainment Likes: Rock music and psychological drama films

Favorite books: Fahrenheit 451, The Catcher In the Rye, Slaughterhouse-Five, Of Mice and Men, 1984

BOXING STATS

9 bouts (Boxing Ontario) 

2 bouts (Ontario Boxing Association) 

1 bout (Florida State Athletic Commission) 

DIVISION:

Masters Novice

CURRENT WEIGHT:

76 kg (170 lbs.)  

 STANCE:

Orthodox (left lead)

TRAINING STATUS:

PAUSED (Holidays)

TRAINING SCHEDULE:

Mon: 0900-1100

Tue 1730-1900

Thu 1730-1900

Sat 1100-1300

COMPETITION STATUS:

ACTIVE

NEXT SCHEDULED BOUTS:

Brampton Cup Tournament 

February 1,2,3,4 (TENTATIVE)

CURRENT TEAM/CLUB:

Cabbagetown Boxing Club

Toronto

COACH:

Johnny Kalbhenn