Why I Will Never Spar A Young Guy Again

 

    ENTRY 522| DECEMBER 1 /2023

NO MORE SPARRING THE YOUNG GUYS

Tuesday produced a very interesting sparring session.

It was interesting enough to cause me to rethink my training schedule.

The coaches liked me coming in the evenings to help the younger guys,  However, some Masters do not like doing that and I found out the reason.

Some of them lack self-control.

Here is the thing, in amateur boxing there is a weight differential and an age differential. It is 10 pounds and 10 years between boxers. However, that is not always possible while sparing. Therefore, the heavier boxer should adjust accordingly. That is not a problem with the guys who are closer to my age, but the younger guys don't do that.

I am tired of risking injury from doing something that really does not benefit me. It helps the younger, newer guys, but does diddly squat for me.

I am currently training for the Brampton Cup tournament. I am not going to ever have an opponent who is half my age and 50 lbs. heavier. There is no way that is going to happen so I need more realistic training.

Therefore, at least until the Brampton Cup, I will not be sparring the younger guys on the evening sessions.

NOT EXACTLY A REY OF SUNSHINE

Coach Rey is...Coach Rey. He is known to be somewhat abrupt and abrasive with his boxers and I have got used to that. Also, he is not my coach so I don't have to deal with him very often but he recently pushed one of my buttons. 

I have a lot of buttons that people try to push and most of the time they don't do anything, but there is one button that if pushed will make me very angry, and you won't like me when I am angry.

DO NOT EVER ATTEMPT TO PUSH THIS BUTTON:

I am very proud to be able to do what I do at my age--any age-- age doesn't matter. I respect all boxers. Boxing is a difficult sport so anyone who tries it and is serious about it deserves respect. Mentioning someone's age is disrespectful.

Rey, for some reason, "went off: on me about my age. It initially made me really upset. He pressed the forbidden button. 

I don't think he intended to press that button, but he did. Regardless of his intentions, coaches are very much aware that they are not allowed to make statements to their athletes that may come across as being discriminatory. This is true with any sport not just boxing.

I was so furious at first that I wanted to file a grievance with Boxing Ontario, but then I realized that it would be pointless because they wouldn't care about that since it has nothing to do with money.

Ultimately, I have decided to stay away from the gym when I know Rey is going to be there for the time being. I am still a bit annoyed.

MY FACE (FINALLY) IN THE NEWSLETTER

For months I have been trying to figure out how I can get my handsome mug in the Cabbagetown Boxing newsletter, and I finally did.

I had to model one of their hoodies.

Yes. That is me in the red trunks. 

This photo appears in the December newsletter, but they didn't let me keep the hoodie. 

Really?

I also thought that this next photo would appear as well.

My wife and I gave the gyn this diamond painting of the Cabbagetown Boxing logo. 

I added the boxing gloves as a nice touch.

There was interest by some other members in purchasing one as well.

If anyone from the Cabbagetown Boxing Club would like one of these, let me know.

NEXT ENTRY: December 9/2023 

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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:

ACTIVE

TRAINING SCHEDULE:

Mon: 0900-1100

Wed. 0900-1030

Fri. 0900-1100

COMPETITION STATUS:

 ACTIVE

NEXT SCHEDULED BOUTS:

Brampton Cup Tournament (TENTATIVE)

CURRENT TEAM/CLUB:

Cabbagetown Boxing Club

Toronto

COACH:

Johnny Kalbhenn