The issue of violence in sports seems to be surfacing again. This seems to happen about once every couple of years. As always, boxing is at the top of the list of "violent sports". Oh, goody.
Here are a few questions:
What determines a "violent" sport?
What separates boxing from every other martial art, and hockey, and football, and rugby?
MMA was illegal in the province of Ontario until just this year for that very reason.
Let's first look at the object of boxing. The object of boxing is to score points by striking your opponent in designated target areas while wearing appropriate protective gear, after months of specialized training, while avoiding getting hit yourself.
Hmmmm, OK.
What is the object of MMA? Do whatever you can to disable your opponent, using whatever means possible, while wearing little or no protective gear.
Hmmmm, OK.
What is the object of hockey? Put the puck in the net, right? Where in the rules does it say anything about fighting, and hard body-checking?
Hmmmm...
What about football and rugby? Guys smash the crap out of each other in order to take control of a ball.
Hmmmm...
Right, so boxing is violent.
I have been involved with boxing in many different forms. I have been in the ring, I have taught it, photographed it, I have seen it all. In all the years I have been involved with the sport, I have never experienced a serious injury.
As a matter-of-fact, statistics show boxing to be the safest of all contact sports.
I wish these people who complained about these sports would actually come out to see what it is all about, instead of standing on the sidelines shooting off the mouth.
Do you have any idea what boxing coaches do to protect their athletes? Why do you think boxers are in such good shape? Every part of a boxer's training is to protect him from injury. Not just from getting hit, but because boxing involves such a lot of physical activity in such a short amount of time, other injuries can occur also.
It is just a sport. Boxers don't go around and punch everything that walks. Of course, we will defend ourselves if needed, like anyone else. However, we are not mean, tough guys. OK, maybe you have to be tough to withstand this sport, but that is all part of it. That is what makes this great sport so unique. You have to be a special person to want to be a boxer.
Enough of this talk about violence in sports. Sports are a way to relieve stress, and anyone involved in such sports are well aware of what is going on, and are properly trained to handle it.
Now shut the *F* up before I knock you out!
My two cents.
Paul "The Brick" Brec
Boxer, Stockyards Boxing Club
Friday, September 9, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Junmar's Class Yesterday, Pain Today !
Well, yesterday was the official opening on the new Stockyards Boxing and Fitness. Junmar Emon held his first conditioning class, which I attended. Oh, yes. Junmar's famous conditioning classes. I remember those. I used to call them Junmar's Kill Paul classes. That hasn't changed.
What I found truly amazing, Richard pulled me out of Junmar's class to work with me in the ring!
He did padwork with me, which is something Kingsway never did. Richard is also a very positive coach. He encourages people to excel at the sport. I found the "coaches" at Kingsway to be rather negative. If you make a mistake there, you were greeted with a sarcastic comment. Its no surprise the Kingway boxing team is not doing well. How can someone learn in such a negative environment?
Sorry, I hate to be complaining about Kingsway so much, but I want don't want to see other people fall into that same crap.
I am paying less than what I payed at Kingsway, and all classes are included. What is great is that after class, Richard took me aside and told me everything that was expected of me, if I want to compete.
He wants me to be able to keep up with Junmar's class. Right now, there is a bit of a struggle with that. Also, he wants me to do: 75 push-ups a day, 75 squats a day, and 200 sit-ups a day. He also wants me to run the track across the street from my apartment three times a week.
From what I am getting, it appears that Kingsway was only concerned about the money, and did not really care about the quality of coaching. I was very impressed that Richard Souce took time out to train me. Now that is a coach! It is clear that he enjoys coaching, and is not blinded by the almighty dollar sign. Not that a good coach does not deserve to be payed, but you don't rip off people.
Oh, and I found the showers. They are located in the change rooms that the hockey players use. It was kind of funny, here I am in my boxing gear walking into a room full of hockey players. "Oh, hi there. I'm just coming in to take a shower..." [Hee hee hee]
The showers were very cold. I could not figure out how to get hot water in there. Then again there probably is no hot water. This is a City of Toronto owned building. Yeah, the best thing after extreme exercise is a nice ice cold shower. Why not?
Anyway, in addition to the daily training Richard wants me to do, I will be going to Stockyards at least three times a week. He also wants me to do my own training in-between. This is it. I hope he understand that just because I am not going to HIS gym, does not mean I am not training. I also have a membership at Bloor Street Fitness, and I would still like to take advantage of that. This was something else about Kingsway, they were always complaining that I was only going three times a week. Well, yeah, but I was also going to Bloor. They knew that. I am not six years old. I don't need my hand held all the time. Richard told me what he wants me to do, which is more than Kingway ever did. I will train as Richard suggests, but it just may not always be at Stockyards. Some of the stuff I can even do at home.
To conclude today's entry, I was very happy with the staff at Stockyards. I recommend anyone who wants to pursue boxing for fitness or competition, drop by 215 Ryding Avenue. Near St. Clair and Runnymede. Take the 71 or 79 bus from Runnymede station. Visit the website below for more info.
Paul "The Brick" Brec
Stockyards Boxing and Fitness
What I found truly amazing, Richard pulled me out of Junmar's class to work with me in the ring!
He did padwork with me, which is something Kingsway never did. Richard is also a very positive coach. He encourages people to excel at the sport. I found the "coaches" at Kingsway to be rather negative. If you make a mistake there, you were greeted with a sarcastic comment. Its no surprise the Kingway boxing team is not doing well. How can someone learn in such a negative environment?
Sorry, I hate to be complaining about Kingsway so much, but I want don't want to see other people fall into that same crap.
I am paying less than what I payed at Kingsway, and all classes are included. What is great is that after class, Richard took me aside and told me everything that was expected of me, if I want to compete.
He wants me to be able to keep up with Junmar's class. Right now, there is a bit of a struggle with that. Also, he wants me to do: 75 push-ups a day, 75 squats a day, and 200 sit-ups a day. He also wants me to run the track across the street from my apartment three times a week.
From what I am getting, it appears that Kingsway was only concerned about the money, and did not really care about the quality of coaching. I was very impressed that Richard Souce took time out to train me. Now that is a coach! It is clear that he enjoys coaching, and is not blinded by the almighty dollar sign. Not that a good coach does not deserve to be payed, but you don't rip off people.
 |
| "Bag Bay" at Stockyards Boxing and Fitness |
Oh, and I found the showers. They are located in the change rooms that the hockey players use. It was kind of funny, here I am in my boxing gear walking into a room full of hockey players. "Oh, hi there. I'm just coming in to take a shower..." [Hee hee hee]
The showers were very cold. I could not figure out how to get hot water in there. Then again there probably is no hot water. This is a City of Toronto owned building. Yeah, the best thing after extreme exercise is a nice ice cold shower. Why not?
Anyway, in addition to the daily training Richard wants me to do, I will be going to Stockyards at least three times a week. He also wants me to do my own training in-between. This is it. I hope he understand that just because I am not going to HIS gym, does not mean I am not training. I also have a membership at Bloor Street Fitness, and I would still like to take advantage of that. This was something else about Kingsway, they were always complaining that I was only going three times a week. Well, yeah, but I was also going to Bloor. They knew that. I am not six years old. I don't need my hand held all the time. Richard told me what he wants me to do, which is more than Kingway ever did. I will train as Richard suggests, but it just may not always be at Stockyards. Some of the stuff I can even do at home.
To conclude today's entry, I was very happy with the staff at Stockyards. I recommend anyone who wants to pursue boxing for fitness or competition, drop by 215 Ryding Avenue. Near St. Clair and Runnymede. Take the 71 or 79 bus from Runnymede station. Visit the website below for more info.
Paul "The Brick" Brec
Stockyards Boxing and Fitness
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
A New Boxing Gym, Deja-Vu
The Stockyards Boxing and Fitness opens today! With head coach Richard Souce at the wheel.
This past Saturday, Richard allowed me to drop in for a preview look at his new facility.
It was not quite finished, but I did get a good idea of what he was trying to achieve.
Also, while I was there, he asked me to help him setup the ring. Oh, I knew there was a catch! That is quite all right. I don't at all mind helping.
 | |
| Stockyards Boxing in the George Bell Arena |
Junmar was also there, and we began talking about Stockyards Boxing and what I wanted to achieve as a member.
Richard asked me if I was interested in competing. I said "Yes". Then he asked me my age and weight. I lied about my age first, as a joke. I told him what he wanted to know. He said there was absolutely no problem with that, but I would have to get registered with Boxing Ontario. Wow, just like that? You mean he is not going to ask me to shell-out 200-and whatever something dollars to attend some stupid "Fight Camp"? Yeah, amazing isn't it?
However, I am going to suggest that to him. Hopefully, he will not get upset an throw a tantrum. How dare someone make a constructive suggestion. Anyway, I am going to suggest the same idea. Obviously, we will not be able to call it "Fight Camp", but how about this: "Boxing Bootcamp"? Huh? Pretty good?
 |
| The ring at the new Stockyards Boxing |
I have a different "feeling" about this place. I never felt comfortable at Kingway, because I had a feeling something odd was going on. It turned out that I was right. Stockyards feels different. I can't explain it. Is this a sign that I can trust this place? I do not know, yet. However, I will give it a try.
The only thing is, I did not see any showers. Personally, I think that is gross. However, I was told that they have access to the entire arena building. That means there has to be a shower room someplace!
Oh, and Junmar told me that the upper deck of the rink goes all the way around, so that means lots and lots of running! Oh, great, running, my favorite. Can I not just stick my head into a lion's mouth?
Stockyards opens today, so drop by and have a look. Meet Junmar and maybe even Richard. They are located in the George Bell arena. Behind the Metro store off of St. Clair Avenue West, or take the 71 Runnymede bus north from Runnymede station. The arena address is 215 Ryding Avenue. The club is on the east side of the building.
Also on September 17, Stockyards will be having their first live boxing event. Please come by an show your support for this new club. As of now, my video production company D-I-T-O Productions, will be video recording the bouts, so any boxers involved will be able to see their matches on YouTube, and request DVD copies.
Paul "The Brick" Brec
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
I *Still* Just Want To Be A Boxer...Why Is This *Still* So Difficult, Damnit?!
OK, so the pain in the ass is getting worse. I think this is something that a simple Tylenol can not fix.
As much as I like and want to train with Richard at his new facility, I may not be able to.
He has posted his schedule for competitive boxing, and his training is Monday to Friday at 5 PM. OK, that's great. I'll just take time off work so I can train for an amateur sport. I was looking around at some other boxing clubs, and they all seem to have a similar schedule. I don't know why boxing coaches have such wacko schedules? With every other sport, when do they train? Evenings and weekends. Why? Because people WORK.
I contacted Richard about his schedule, and he was very nice about it. He said that he was flexible with the schedule, and would have to see what will happen as he gets going. That is understandable as he is just starting his new business.
However, I was told the exact same thing at Kingsway, and they bitched every time I made a suggestion. Sometimes telling me, "You agreed to our schedule when you signed up with us, so we don't have to change anything".
So, forgive me if I am not going to jump on this. I might join Stockyards on a month-by-month basis right now. I would like to put the feelers out to see where this is going. Richard is not new to coaching boxing, but he is new to having his own business. I hope he understands the "rules" of operating a business. For example, customers are going to give feedback (complain), they are going to provide suggestions (complain). Big deal. That is what customers do. You can't take it personal, throw a tantrum and cancel service. I work for a major communications company, and do you have any idea how many people complain about their cell service? If we cancelled an account every time someone complained, we would not have any customers left.
Anyway, if I do decide to join Stockyards, I will not be overly-concerned about competition right now, anyway. If Richard wants me to join his team, I'd be happy to do so. However, right now I'd be happy just doing recreational boxing /open sparring just for the exercise.
Richard noted that he has never seen me spar, so he has no idea of my boxing abilities. Well, here is his chance. I would be more than happy to show him my abilities. All I ask, is for what I keep asking, keep me informed and don't pretend to care.
An update to my case against Kingsway: I have spoken with a lawyer and was informed that they are required to refund me for any unused services. They did, even though they called it a 'courtesy'. In addition to that, as they were misleading and did not provided the expected services, I can also try for a partial refund of what I have paid towards the monthly fees. I will be doing that. I am also going all out to expose the truth about Kingsway Boxing Club, and the behind-the-scenes stunts they pull. Seriously people, don't ever consider Kingsway. Even their so-called "Fight Camp" is misleading. They advertise, "Take our Fight Camp and get your Amateur Boxing License," and a bunch of other things. Well, first of all, there is no such thing as an "Amateur Boxing License". You get certified through Boxing Ontario by sending in a form with $57...and voila, you are certified. You don't need a "Fight Camp". Secondly, I took "Fight Camp", and I don't have my "Amateur Boxing License"....because I have not yet sent the form!
Despite what you may hear, Kingsway Boxing is no where near what they are representing. Come to Stockyards instead.
Stockyards is not yet open, but you can drop in this week to have a look around and pre-register. Visit their website or Facebook for more info.
For information on Stockyards Boxing:
Stockyards Boxing and Fitness
Paul "Still Pissed Off" Brec
As much as I like and want to train with Richard at his new facility, I may not be able to.
He has posted his schedule for competitive boxing, and his training is Monday to Friday at 5 PM. OK, that's great. I'll just take time off work so I can train for an amateur sport. I was looking around at some other boxing clubs, and they all seem to have a similar schedule. I don't know why boxing coaches have such wacko schedules? With every other sport, when do they train? Evenings and weekends. Why? Because people WORK.
I contacted Richard about his schedule, and he was very nice about it. He said that he was flexible with the schedule, and would have to see what will happen as he gets going. That is understandable as he is just starting his new business.
However, I was told the exact same thing at Kingsway, and they bitched every time I made a suggestion. Sometimes telling me, "You agreed to our schedule when you signed up with us, so we don't have to change anything".
So, forgive me if I am not going to jump on this. I might join Stockyards on a month-by-month basis right now. I would like to put the feelers out to see where this is going. Richard is not new to coaching boxing, but he is new to having his own business. I hope he understands the "rules" of operating a business. For example, customers are going to give feedback (complain), they are going to provide suggestions (complain). Big deal. That is what customers do. You can't take it personal, throw a tantrum and cancel service. I work for a major communications company, and do you have any idea how many people complain about their cell service? If we cancelled an account every time someone complained, we would not have any customers left.
Anyway, if I do decide to join Stockyards, I will not be overly-concerned about competition right now, anyway. If Richard wants me to join his team, I'd be happy to do so. However, right now I'd be happy just doing recreational boxing /open sparring just for the exercise.
Richard noted that he has never seen me spar, so he has no idea of my boxing abilities. Well, here is his chance. I would be more than happy to show him my abilities. All I ask, is for what I keep asking, keep me informed and don't pretend to care.
An update to my case against Kingsway: I have spoken with a lawyer and was informed that they are required to refund me for any unused services. They did, even though they called it a 'courtesy'. In addition to that, as they were misleading and did not provided the expected services, I can also try for a partial refund of what I have paid towards the monthly fees. I will be doing that. I am also going all out to expose the truth about Kingsway Boxing Club, and the behind-the-scenes stunts they pull. Seriously people, don't ever consider Kingsway. Even their so-called "Fight Camp" is misleading. They advertise, "Take our Fight Camp and get your Amateur Boxing License," and a bunch of other things. Well, first of all, there is no such thing as an "Amateur Boxing License". You get certified through Boxing Ontario by sending in a form with $57...and voila, you are certified. You don't need a "Fight Camp". Secondly, I took "Fight Camp", and I don't have my "Amateur Boxing License"....because I have not yet sent the form!
Despite what you may hear, Kingsway Boxing is no where near what they are representing. Come to Stockyards instead.
Stockyards is not yet open, but you can drop in this week to have a look around and pre-register. Visit their website or Facebook for more info.
For information on Stockyards Boxing:
Stockyards Boxing and Fitness
Paul "Still Pissed Off" Brec
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Heaven Help Me! I Just Want To Be A Boxer, Damnit!
OK, this whole boxing thing is getting to be a bit too dramatic, and is getting to be a real pain in the ass.
I am going to chalk up the Kingsway Disaster as experience, although I am no where near finished with them. I am going to talk to a lawyer to find out if I can request a refund based on the fact that they did not do their job properly, mislead me, and cancelled my contract without just cause. As mentioned before, simply requesting better service and suggesting a different way of doing things is not disrespectful. Also, you do not put someone into a competitive boxing program, and then say, "Just because you are in a competitive program, does not mean you will compete." That is not only misleading, but it discredits the whole program. What a dumb thing to say to someone. Don't pretend to care and lead someone down a path and lead them to believe something that is not true. That is one of the worst things you can do to someone. I mean, I totally understand that you can't start in a competitive program and expect to jump into the ring right away. No shit, Sherlock. At the same time, there are alternate options. Put people into the recreational program first, then move them to competition later, and you have to provide proper coaching to make sure that happens. That is why you are being paid. If you don't feel someone is ready, say that!
Oh, and I was also told that if I had paid more, I would have received better coaching. What?! Kingsway is already the most expensive boxing club in Toronto. They wanted me to "upgrade" to $125 a month! Yeah, sure. Anyone willing to pay $125 a month for a boxing coach really needs one, because you have been hit in the head one too many times. The average is $50.
I really don't feel bad at all about what happened a Kingsway. I don't feel I was wrong. I was paying a lot of money, more than average, and they were not meeting my expectations. They are just angry because they were trying to pull a "fast-one", and got caught. It is their loss.
Since then, I have been approached by other coaches, and I was interviewing them over the past couple of days. I am pleased to announce that starting in September, Richard Souce, former Canadian Professional Champion, will be my coach. He is opening up a new place very shortly, and it has been announced that Junmar Emon, formerly of Bloor Boxing, will be one of his assistants.
I was very impressed with what Richard was telling me on the phone, and the fact that Junmar will be helping him, is a big bonus. I know Junmar quite well, and I know that he will not screw around.
In the meantime, I am still training at Bloor Street Fitness. Although I sometimes complain about them, I really do like them. The staff are friendly, they are open 24 hours, and are only one block from my apartment. I just don't like what has been happening to the boxing program.
However, something interesting happened while I was there on Monday. One of the boxing trainers, I think there is only one left, came up to me while I was using the heavy bag, and started coaching me! Yeah, as a matter-of-fact, he went up to all the boxers, and started providing feedback. Just like that. We did not even have to ask. Yeah, the things that make you go "Hmmmmmmm...".
After, we were talking, and he wants to have more "real" boxing classes, with sparring classes. He also wants to see Bloor become certified by Boxing Ontario. Once that is done, Bloor will be able to offer a competitive boxing program. This is an interesting turn of events. Could the opening of Richard's gym have something to do with this?
However, as much as the staff at Bloor want the gym to become certified, the final decision is up to the owner. It costs money for a Boxing Ontario certification, and from what I have been seeing lately, I am not sure they are willing to put any more money into the boxing. At this point, I have decided to keep my membership at Bloor because of the convenience. As far as the Boxing Ontario certification goes, all I have to say about that is, "Show me the money".
I am looking forward to my new relationship with my new coaches at the new (not yet open) Stockyards Boxing Club. However, I have decided that this will be the absolute last time I change coaches. If Richard and Junmar can not help me, it will likely be "bye-bye boxing". I will admit that it will be a rough road to start. I have been programmed and de-programmed and re-programmed with so many different types of coaching, that I am really confused right now. It is easier to teach someone a sport when they don't know anything, as opposed to someone like me who has had 15,000 different coaches with different coaching techniques. I ask for patience. I will do my best, provided that I am provided constant feedback. Do not pretend to care. I have been through too much of that. Richard wants to create a new boxing team from scratch, and I am willing to help. I want to be part of it. Together, I think we can make it work. Just give me a fair chance, and be honest. I do not need another let-down.
Paul "Pissed-Off" Brec
For information on Stockyards Boxing:
Stockyards Boxing and Fitness
I am going to chalk up the Kingsway Disaster as experience, although I am no where near finished with them. I am going to talk to a lawyer to find out if I can request a refund based on the fact that they did not do their job properly, mislead me, and cancelled my contract without just cause. As mentioned before, simply requesting better service and suggesting a different way of doing things is not disrespectful. Also, you do not put someone into a competitive boxing program, and then say, "Just because you are in a competitive program, does not mean you will compete." That is not only misleading, but it discredits the whole program. What a dumb thing to say to someone. Don't pretend to care and lead someone down a path and lead them to believe something that is not true. That is one of the worst things you can do to someone. I mean, I totally understand that you can't start in a competitive program and expect to jump into the ring right away. No shit, Sherlock. At the same time, there are alternate options. Put people into the recreational program first, then move them to competition later, and you have to provide proper coaching to make sure that happens. That is why you are being paid. If you don't feel someone is ready, say that!
Oh, and I was also told that if I had paid more, I would have received better coaching. What?! Kingsway is already the most expensive boxing club in Toronto. They wanted me to "upgrade" to $125 a month! Yeah, sure. Anyone willing to pay $125 a month for a boxing coach really needs one, because you have been hit in the head one too many times. The average is $50.
I really don't feel bad at all about what happened a Kingsway. I don't feel I was wrong. I was paying a lot of money, more than average, and they were not meeting my expectations. They are just angry because they were trying to pull a "fast-one", and got caught. It is their loss.
Since then, I have been approached by other coaches, and I was interviewing them over the past couple of days. I am pleased to announce that starting in September, Richard Souce, former Canadian Professional Champion, will be my coach. He is opening up a new place very shortly, and it has been announced that Junmar Emon, formerly of Bloor Boxing, will be one of his assistants.
I was very impressed with what Richard was telling me on the phone, and the fact that Junmar will be helping him, is a big bonus. I know Junmar quite well, and I know that he will not screw around.
In the meantime, I am still training at Bloor Street Fitness. Although I sometimes complain about them, I really do like them. The staff are friendly, they are open 24 hours, and are only one block from my apartment. I just don't like what has been happening to the boxing program.
However, something interesting happened while I was there on Monday. One of the boxing trainers, I think there is only one left, came up to me while I was using the heavy bag, and started coaching me! Yeah, as a matter-of-fact, he went up to all the boxers, and started providing feedback. Just like that. We did not even have to ask. Yeah, the things that make you go "Hmmmmmmm...".
After, we were talking, and he wants to have more "real" boxing classes, with sparring classes. He also wants to see Bloor become certified by Boxing Ontario. Once that is done, Bloor will be able to offer a competitive boxing program. This is an interesting turn of events. Could the opening of Richard's gym have something to do with this?
However, as much as the staff at Bloor want the gym to become certified, the final decision is up to the owner. It costs money for a Boxing Ontario certification, and from what I have been seeing lately, I am not sure they are willing to put any more money into the boxing. At this point, I have decided to keep my membership at Bloor because of the convenience. As far as the Boxing Ontario certification goes, all I have to say about that is, "Show me the money".
I am looking forward to my new relationship with my new coaches at the new (not yet open) Stockyards Boxing Club. However, I have decided that this will be the absolute last time I change coaches. If Richard and Junmar can not help me, it will likely be "bye-bye boxing". I will admit that it will be a rough road to start. I have been programmed and de-programmed and re-programmed with so many different types of coaching, that I am really confused right now. It is easier to teach someone a sport when they don't know anything, as opposed to someone like me who has had 15,000 different coaches with different coaching techniques. I ask for patience. I will do my best, provided that I am provided constant feedback. Do not pretend to care. I have been through too much of that. Richard wants to create a new boxing team from scratch, and I am willing to help. I want to be part of it. Together, I think we can make it work. Just give me a fair chance, and be honest. I do not need another let-down.
Paul "Pissed-Off" Brec
For information on Stockyards Boxing:
Stockyards Boxing and Fitness
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Canned from Kingsway !!!
Well, I don't know how to say this, but I have been kicked off of the Kingsway boxing team.
I was not happy with the quality of coaching, and I made the mistake of bringing my concern to the coaches. Apparently, nobody is allowed to express an opinion there. My main concern was lack of feedback. Is it not a coaches job to provide feedback to the athletes? Yeah, I thought so too, but that is not how they feel at Kingsway. Asking for feedback there results in a sarcastic answer, and being told I am being disrespectful. How paying for coaching, not getting it, and then asking for it, is being disrespectful?
I had been there for eight months, and was apparently told that I would eventually be allowed to compete again, but I never saw any signs of that ever happening. Then I was told, "Just because you are in a competitive boxing program does not mean you are going to compete"...Huh? That does not even begin to make sense. What the hell else is the purpose of a competitive boxing program?
The feeling I have been getting for a while is that I don't think the coaches were taking me seriously. They were leading me down a path, and pretending to care, but really didn't. They were just waiting for the right moment to boot me, and they found it.
This is just another let-down, and I have to say I am very disappointed. I have put a lot of effort into this.
All I want is for a boxing coach to take me seriously, and give me a chance. I don't see why that is such a difficult request to fill?
Please, any boxing coach in the Toronto area willing to take me seriously. I will work very hard, and do my absolute best for you. All I ask is to be honest with me, and give me a reasonable chance.
Coaches please respond. Serious inquiries only.
I was not happy with the quality of coaching, and I made the mistake of bringing my concern to the coaches. Apparently, nobody is allowed to express an opinion there. My main concern was lack of feedback. Is it not a coaches job to provide feedback to the athletes? Yeah, I thought so too, but that is not how they feel at Kingsway. Asking for feedback there results in a sarcastic answer, and being told I am being disrespectful. How paying for coaching, not getting it, and then asking for it, is being disrespectful?
I had been there for eight months, and was apparently told that I would eventually be allowed to compete again, but I never saw any signs of that ever happening. Then I was told, "Just because you are in a competitive boxing program does not mean you are going to compete"...Huh? That does not even begin to make sense. What the hell else is the purpose of a competitive boxing program?
The feeling I have been getting for a while is that I don't think the coaches were taking me seriously. They were leading me down a path, and pretending to care, but really didn't. They were just waiting for the right moment to boot me, and they found it.
This is just another let-down, and I have to say I am very disappointed. I have put a lot of effort into this.
All I want is for a boxing coach to take me seriously, and give me a chance. I don't see why that is such a difficult request to fill?
Please, any boxing coach in the Toronto area willing to take me seriously. I will work very hard, and do my absolute best for you. All I ask is to be honest with me, and give me a reasonable chance.
Coaches please respond. Serious inquiries only.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Body...Head...Body...Head...Smuck! Ow! I'm So Confused!
I have been away, so I have not been updating the blog. I will have to say that I did keep up with my training, along with a lot of walking.
Since I have returned to Toronto, I have still been visiting both gyms on a regular basis albeit on a "summer schedule".
I feel that my boxing skills are better than ever, and I have had two more open sparring matches since returning. I have also been doing a lot of soft sparring at both Kingsway and Bloor.
Usually, Thursday is open sparring at Kingsway. Last Thursday I sparred the coach. There are advantages and disadvantages to that. The advantage is you learn a lot. The disadvantage, the coach does not in any way feel sorry for you.
Well, sure enough, he nailed me four times in the solar plexus. Yeah, you'd think that after the first time I would have learned something. Well, what ended up happening is that I had a bruise there. Do you have any idea what that feels like? The solar plexus is where all the nerves from the stomach, rectum and bowels are collected before going back to the spine. They are very close to the surface, and are therefore very sensitive.
I had an extreme stomach cramp for four days! Yeah, it was not the most pleasant thing in the world.
This past Thursday, I did sparring with four of my teammates. Easier? No, not really.
For the most part, even during open sparring, my team usually go fairly easy on each other. After all, it is just for practice. However, open sparring (full-contact) does help you prepare for competition. Think about it, when you are competing, your opponent is not exactly going to be love-tapping you. May as well get used to the hard hits in the gym.
Chris. Yes, I spoke about Chris before. He is one of the ones who does not let-up during open sparring. He always hits full-power.
Chris is a really big guy. He could pass for a professional wrestler. What is also important here is that he is also in my weightclass now. How this happened, I don't know, but I will discuss it a bit later.
The coach insisted I do one round with Chris. I knew he would clobber me, but there must have been a good reason the coach wanted this to happen.
I am not stupid. I remembered last-week's disaster, and was not going to let it happen again. I adjusted my boxing stance, so I am more at an angle. My stomach is now farther from my opponent, and thus, harder to reach. I now drop my left slightly so I can use my elbow as defense. This is a completely new tactic for me, so I was really not used to using it. My main focus was on protecting my body.
Well, it did not take long at all for Chris to notice my weak defense: My head! He ended up nailing me twice in a row. Both sides! How did that happen? All I hear is the coach yelling at me, "Paul, where's your defense?!" Yeah, well if you really must know, its down around my solar plexus where it will be staying right now, thank you very much.
The shots to the head really did not bother me. A seasoned boxer can shake that off quite easily. However, shots to the body are harder to shake, and can cause mush more damage, longer, and will really tire you quickly. This is one reason why good boxing coaches focus on body attacks.
That being said, a punch to the head is a point against you, and can cause you to loose, if it doesn't just knock you right onto your ass.
OK, so now that I have the body defense done, I have to find a way to get the left up to defend my noggin. Something to work on this week.
Now back to my issue about weight. In the spring, I was at the 89 kg class. I had been there for a long time. Then, for some reason, I began to creep up. I am now officially at 93 kg. That means that in five months, I gained 4 kg, or 10 pounds! I know it is not fat. It is definitely not that. I don't know what happened, but I am now in a bad spot, because I am now at the low end of the Super-Heavyweight class. This is very bad, as now I can be matched with any man from 91 kg and up. Meaning, up to...whatever.
My coach is always going on about not increasing to a higher class, and I really tried not to. Now, I have to do everything I can to get below 91 kg. It will be a challenge, but something to work toward.
Since I have returned to Toronto, I have still been visiting both gyms on a regular basis albeit on a "summer schedule".
I feel that my boxing skills are better than ever, and I have had two more open sparring matches since returning. I have also been doing a lot of soft sparring at both Kingsway and Bloor.
Usually, Thursday is open sparring at Kingsway. Last Thursday I sparred the coach. There are advantages and disadvantages to that. The advantage is you learn a lot. The disadvantage, the coach does not in any way feel sorry for you.
Well, sure enough, he nailed me four times in the solar plexus. Yeah, you'd think that after the first time I would have learned something. Well, what ended up happening is that I had a bruise there. Do you have any idea what that feels like? The solar plexus is where all the nerves from the stomach, rectum and bowels are collected before going back to the spine. They are very close to the surface, and are therefore very sensitive.
I had an extreme stomach cramp for four days! Yeah, it was not the most pleasant thing in the world.
This past Thursday, I did sparring with four of my teammates. Easier? No, not really.
For the most part, even during open sparring, my team usually go fairly easy on each other. After all, it is just for practice. However, open sparring (full-contact) does help you prepare for competition. Think about it, when you are competing, your opponent is not exactly going to be love-tapping you. May as well get used to the hard hits in the gym.
Chris. Yes, I spoke about Chris before. He is one of the ones who does not let-up during open sparring. He always hits full-power.
Chris is a really big guy. He could pass for a professional wrestler. What is also important here is that he is also in my weightclass now. How this happened, I don't know, but I will discuss it a bit later.
The coach insisted I do one round with Chris. I knew he would clobber me, but there must have been a good reason the coach wanted this to happen.
I am not stupid. I remembered last-week's disaster, and was not going to let it happen again. I adjusted my boxing stance, so I am more at an angle. My stomach is now farther from my opponent, and thus, harder to reach. I now drop my left slightly so I can use my elbow as defense. This is a completely new tactic for me, so I was really not used to using it. My main focus was on protecting my body.
Well, it did not take long at all for Chris to notice my weak defense: My head! He ended up nailing me twice in a row. Both sides! How did that happen? All I hear is the coach yelling at me, "Paul, where's your defense?!" Yeah, well if you really must know, its down around my solar plexus where it will be staying right now, thank you very much.
The shots to the head really did not bother me. A seasoned boxer can shake that off quite easily. However, shots to the body are harder to shake, and can cause mush more damage, longer, and will really tire you quickly. This is one reason why good boxing coaches focus on body attacks.
That being said, a punch to the head is a point against you, and can cause you to loose, if it doesn't just knock you right onto your ass.
OK, so now that I have the body defense done, I have to find a way to get the left up to defend my noggin. Something to work on this week.
Now back to my issue about weight. In the spring, I was at the 89 kg class. I had been there for a long time. Then, for some reason, I began to creep up. I am now officially at 93 kg. That means that in five months, I gained 4 kg, or 10 pounds! I know it is not fat. It is definitely not that. I don't know what happened, but I am now in a bad spot, because I am now at the low end of the Super-Heavyweight class. This is very bad, as now I can be matched with any man from 91 kg and up. Meaning, up to...whatever.
My coach is always going on about not increasing to a higher class, and I really tried not to. Now, I have to do everything I can to get below 91 kg. It will be a challenge, but something to work toward.
My next scheduled match: [TBA]
My current division and class: Master's Novice 93 kg [Super-Heavyweight]
My current record (Kingsway): 0 - 0 - 0 //0 (4 Open Sparring)
Paul "The Brick" Brec
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