Understanding Pre-Fight Anxiety

ENTRY 264

Preparing To Fight the Good Fight

Well, the big fight is just seven days away. 

It may seem that I am making a big deal of it, because to me it is.

In my division, it is very hard to get an opponent. While the younger guys see competition every month or more, I am lucky to get in the ring once year, twice if lucky. When it does happen it is a big thing.

Also, this is the first time that I will be competing against an opponent from outside Toronto whom I don't know.

I am also coming off a losing streak, that I desperately need to correct.

I am getting a lot of coaching from Richard and Will right now, and I am practicing everything they teach, 

This is so important to me.

I need to prove to the coaches, to myself, and to the non-believers out there, that I can do this. I can beat Orangeville, and make orange juice out of that guy.

 

Pre-Fight Anxiety and Excitement Kicking In

I don't know if this is just something that happens in boxing, or maybe just me with so few chances to compete, but I tend to get anxiety attacks within about a week of a bout.  

There is a bit of excitement at first, with the thought of competition. It builds until the day of the bout.

On that day, even while standing in line to weigh-in, the thought of stepping into the ring to represent your club is very exciting.

However, while you are warming up, and then the coach comes over to you and says, "You're up". At that point, excitement begins to become anxiety, as you realize that in just a few minutes, you will become the centre of attention.

The coach leads you to the ring, with all eyes on you. Some chant your name, some chant the other boxer's name. Either way, you can't shake the feeling of constantly being watched, because you are!

You enter the ring, and the ropes close behind you. Now, you are in your comfort zone, you think. The ropes closing you off from the chanting and cheering audience. 

Now, they can't hurt me. They are out there, and I am in here.

I'm safe...

You look across the ring, and realize...

The audience is no longer a threat. The man standing across from you is now the threat.

Now, the anxiety shifts from outside the ring to inside.

Reality clicks in.

Now I need to stop worrying about what the audience thinks, and start worrying about not getting knocked onto my ass. 

The anxious feelings started this past Wednesday.

I had a dream about my upcoming match.

It did not take place at George Bell Arena. It was in a very large room with a lot of windows. It kind of reminded me of one of the halls at the Toronto Convention Centre,

I had arrived there at 11:30 in the morning, although weigh-in wasn't until 6 PM. Coach Richard was there, and all I did the whole time was shoot the shit with him until weigh-in time.

After weigh-in, Richard told me that my bout was cancelled because my opponent did not show.

I was pissed, "I waited here for eight hours, and he didn't show up! Asshole!"

Yeah. That was just a dream, but with my luck, that is exactly what will happen. Just like in the spring when that guy from Mississauga backed out at the last minute.

Gym On Saturday, I Guess

Coach Richard came into the gym for just a few minutes on Thursday. He did some work at his desk, and then pointed to each boxer, you, you, you, you (me), you, you, Saturday morning at ten, and then he left.

I guess I'm going to Stockyards on Saturday morning.

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

"The Brick" is an amateur boxer certified by:

www.boxingontario.com

"The Brick" is a member of the Stockyards Boxing Team, and trains 4 times a week at:

215 Ryding Ave. Toronto

stockyardsboxingfitness.com

"The Brick"

Stance: Orthodox  (Left lead) 
 Style: Offensive-Aggressive

Status:  ACTIVE 

WEIGH-IN

   Current:  188 lbs / 84 kg 

                                                                        

No Gym On Wednesday, Coach's Orders

ENTRY 263

Coach's Orders: No Gym On Wednesday

Well, the count down is on. Eleven days left to train.

Coach Richard has told me, and apparently all of his boxers who are competing soon, to take Wednesday off.
He wants me to do some running, so I will definitely be doing that.
If it is raining, I will go to Bloor Fitness and do an hour or so on the treadmill.

I did some pad work with Will on Sunday, and I sparred on Monday and Tuesday.
I have noticed Richard getting very aggressive with me lately. He even told me, "I'm yelling at you because I want you to listen to me! I want you to win this. The guy you are fighting is tough. He is coming here to fight."

No, he is coming here to get his butt kicked.

Richard is taking this very seriously, as am I.
This is my first "real" bout with a guy from outside Toronto, and I know nothing about him.

Richard and Will, have been very supportive. I have even been given a few hints from my teammates.

I was looking at my trophy case today, and trying to figure the best place to put my winning trophy.

Some people think I am getting cocky about this.

There is a difference between 'cocky' and 'confident'.

I am being confident. I am training to win. Otherwise, why train?

Anyway, busy training schedule for the rest of the week, and next week. 

This is a very big deal for me.

I am going to be getting a new boxing uniform in team colours. I will not be wearing the usual 'Brick green' for this match. 

I will be stepping into that ring representing the city of Toronto and the Stockyards team.

I will not be defeated by some yahoo from Orangeville. This is my house!

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

"The Brick" is an amateur boxer certified by:

www.boxingontario.com

"The Brick" is a member of the Stockyards Boxing Team, and trains 4 times a week at:

215 Ryding Ave. Toronto

stockyardsboxingfitness.com

"The Brick"

Stance: Orthodox  (Left lead) 
 Style: Offensive-Aggressive

Status:  ACTIVE 

WEIGH-IN

   Current:  188 lbs / 84 kg 

                                                                        

Opponent Confirmed For October 10 !

ENTRY 262

Opponent Confirmed For October 10 !

I have a confirmed opponent for October 10.

I will be fighting Andy Ragonia from Big Tyme Boxing in Orangeville.

I am told that he is a big guy and likes to brawl.

Coach Richard has been giving me some specific pointers on how to deal with a brawler.

I have also been doing some training with Coach Will from Brampton.

This guy also has no wins on his record, as I. That means that after October 10, one of us will no longer have a "0" in the "W" column.

That should make things a bit more interesting.

I am inviting all readers in the area to please come out and support the Stockyards boxing team on October 10, and you will get to see all of Stockyards' great athletes in action, including myself..

For more information on this event, contact Stockyards Boxing and Fitness.

Also look in the scroll bar at the top of this blog. It is frequently updated with Toronto boxing news and events, including upcoming cards.

Also, please vote on the poll at the top right. As always, I like to get my readers involved.

Who do you think will win on October 10, and how?

Sparring Report For Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

I did two rounds each day on Tuesday and Wednesday, and six rounds on Thursday.

Since I have a bout coming up, I am not going to discuss my training, especially any techniques.

All I am going to say is that I will be in training daily from now until October 9. Training will include, but not limited to, sprints across the George Bell parking lot, laps around Runnymede Park, sit-ups, push-ups, strength and resistance training for upper body, many cycles on the treadmill for cardio and legs.
I will be at Stockyards from Sunday to Thursday, and at Bloor on Fridays and Saturdays.

My diet will also be adjusted accordingly. I will increase fruits and veggie intake, and reduce pasta, white rice, and white bread.

Sugar and salt have already been removed from my diet for the past year.

Congrats To Stockyards Boxing

BlogTO recently released a compilation of their picks for best boxing gyms in Toronto.

Stockyards Boxing ranked number four. Which is not bad for a gym that has only been around for four years.

They ranked Clancy's as number one.

These are, of course, the opinion of the staff at BlogTO. 

They ranked Kingsway as number 10, and in my opinion Kingsway should be dead-bottom.

My only concern is that the photo they are using to represent Kingsway Boxing Club, I am in it. That means that the photo is over four years old.

I don't mind that they use it. I just want it make it clear that I am no longer in any way associated with the Kingsway Boxing Club. I am dedicated to Stockyards Boxing. I am registered to Stockyards through Boxing Ontario. That is my one and only gym for technical boxing training, 

See the full report: http://www.blogto.com/toronto/the_best_boxing_gym_in_toronto/

Dealing With Non-Supporters

It has been brought to my attention, that there are a few people who don't support me and what I do. 

That is fine. That is what sports are all about.

However, the disturbing part is that some have been going as far as to make fun of me and this blog.

Let me start off by saying that behaviour is extremely childish.  

I work very hard on this column, and at boxing.

Which brings me to my second point.

Let me see you do better.

Keep in mind, I am almost 50, and there are people half my age who can not do what I do, nor do they have the balls to even attempt to step into the ring.

I have seen 25 year-olds, drop to their knees crying and puking after running a couple of blocks. I do at least three-times that, plus an hour of other heavy-duty exercise and sparring...every damn day.

So, until you get your fat butts off the sofa and can do better, button your fat faces.

There. That is how you deal with that.

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

"The Brick" is an amateur boxer certified by:

www.boxingontario.com

"The Brick" is a member of the Stockyards Boxing Team, and trains 4 times a week at:

215 Ryding Ave. Toronto

stockyardsboxingfitness.com

"The Brick"

Stance: Orthodox  (Left lead) 
 Style: Offensive-Aggressive

Status:  ACTIVE 

WEIGH-IN

   Current:  188 lbs / 84 kg 

                                                                        

What's New?

ENTRY 261

Sparring Report For Monday

Six rounds on Monday.

Junmar was in charge of sparring, and he was pushing us. He was keeping us from getting too lazy in the ring. 

I have to say that I sometimes get into the habit of not being busy enough. I am happy that Junmar pushes me to be busy. After all, once I am in competition, it will be no walk in the park.

I was really sore in the arms and legs after sparring, and that is a good thing. It is a sign of really working hard.

NEW!

As you all may (should) have noticed the changes to this column.

A new banner, and new entries on the sidebars. Plus, the two new scrolling marquees at the top.

In an effort to un-clutter, or is it de-clutter? 

Anyway, "Announcements" has been moved to a new permanent bar at the top.

Also, coming soon, will be the results of the Stockyards' Fight Night cards. Although, results are posted by Boxing Ontario, it is often a month or two before the results are publicly posted. Since I attend all of the Stockyards' Fight Nights, I can post the results immediately. Since it will be on a scroll bar separate from the rest of the blog, the results can be posted without having to do a complete blog update. 

Stockyards' next card will be on October 10. 

There are many other boxing shows in Toronto over the next couple of months. Please support your local boxers, and come out to a show. Check the "Announcements" scroll above for upcoming cards. Contact the appropriate gym for more information.

Also new is the email box to the left. Please send me questions or comments about this blog, about boxing, or to submit a boxing-related announcement for the scroll bar.

They're Baaa-ack! The Dunce Awards

"Dunce Awards" had been moved to one of my other blogs, but will be returning to this one shortly.

I know I had said that I would cut down on complaining on this blog. 

I am, but that does not mean cutting out.

The Dunce Awards are going to remain.

There are a couple of reasons for this. 

One, is that this column gets a lot of visits on a weekly basis. That makes it a very powerful tool. As I think I once mentioned before, there is nothing wrong with creative complaining, or as I like to call it "feedback". 

The second reason is that my spin-off blogs are not doing so well.

I have therefore suspended publication on both of them, so I can concentrate on this one.

"Dunce Awards" is intended to help improve the customer experience. It is not really meant for complaining. That is why I call it "feedback".

I hope that when businesses see that they are nominated for a Dunce Award, they will change for the better.

Currently, there are three nominees.

I am considering running the Dunce Awards permanently on a sidebar, instead of a paragraph entry within the blog. 

Look for "Dunce Awards" returning soon to the Blue Corner..

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

"The Brick" is an amateur boxer certified by:

www.boxingontario.com

"The Brick" is a member of the Stockyards Boxing Team, and trains 4 times a week at:

215 Ryding Ave. Toronto

stockyardsboxingfitness.com

"The Brick"

Stance: Orthodox  (Left lead) 
 Style: Offensive-Aggressive

Status:  ACTIVE 

WEIGH-IN

   Current:  186 lbs / 83 kg 

                                                                        

The New-Old Guys

ENTRY 260

NEW BLOG LAYOUT

This entry was delayed so I could design this new layout. Most of it done using HTML code.

I also degined the new banner, although it may only be temporary.

SPARRING REPORT

I was able to get sparring in every day last week.

I did all of my regular sparring on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

On Thursday, I did four rounds total. One with Nick, one with Fabio, and two with Mike.

With the exception of Fabio, sparring was nothing special.

Fabio being new to sparring, does pose a bit of a challenge.

It will be challenging until he gets used to it, and can build on his skills, which is the whole purpose of sparring.

NEW-OLD GUYS

Good news.
There are two new "older" guys now training at Stockyards.
One of them was a boxer before, and wants to return.
They both plan on getting their registration.
That is good news. It means more guys for sparring.
It is also good to see guys in their 40's getting back into the sport.

TRAINING FOR OCTOBER

I have a possible opponent for October 10.
Although, I am still looking for November.

"The Brick" is an amateur boxer certified by:

www.boxingontario.com

"The Brick" is a member of the Stockyards Boxing Team, and trains 4 times a week at:

215 Ryding Ave. Toronto

stockyardsboxingfitness.com

"The Brick"

Stance: Orthodox  (Left lead) / Style: Offensive-Aggressive

Status:  ACTIVE 

WEIGH-IN

   Current:  186 lbs / 83 kg