Me and the Brampton Cup

 

    ENTRY 520| NOVEMBER 24 /2023

ME AND THE BRAMPTON CUP

On Friday the coach asked me if I wanted to be in the Brampton Cup.

It didn't take me long to think about an answer.  Well, I actually didn't think about an answer, "Yes" automatically came out of my mouth.

I know that I have been saying that I didn't want to be in tournaments anymore, but I felt appreciated when the coach asked me. Besides, I had never been in a Brampton Cup. It is the only tournament that I have never attended as an athlete or otherwise.

I am taking this very seriously. I have just over two months to prepare and I am not going there to lose. The Cabbagetown Boxing Club does not create losers, only winners. That club and its coaches have been very good to me and I am not going to pay them back by being a loser.

Over the next couple of months, I will be very focused on winning. I will be asking anyone who works with me in the ring or on any drills to work me very hard.

The Brampton Cup is tough as boxers from all around North America are in attendance. 

My coach and I will be working rigorously on a few techniques.

• Jab, L Upper, Hook
• Jab, R Upper, Hook, Right
• Block, Jab, Right
• Check Hook
• Jab, Step-Back, Right
• Slip, Slip, Duck, Duck
• Slip, Slip, Duck, Duck, Right
• Slip, Body Jab, Right
• Double Jab
• Step Right, Right, Double Jab
• Double Jab, Right
• Double Right
• Right To the Body
• Right, Hook, Right
• Jab, Duck, Right

I think that's about it, for now.

I tell you, they are turning me into a mean machine.

Thank you to Coach Johnny and the Cabbagetown Boxing Club for continuously making me a better athlete.

For anyone out there wishing to be a better boxer, I can not recommend the Cabbagetown Boxing Clun enough.

NEXT ENTRY: December 1/2023 

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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:

75 kg (168 lbs.)  

 STANCE:

Orthodox (left lead)

TRAINING STATUS:

ACTIVE

TRAINING SCHEDULE:

Mon: 0900-1030

Tue: 1730 -1930

Wed. 0900-1030

Thu. 1730-1930

Fri. 0900-1100

Holidays 0900-1030

COMPETITION STATUS:

 ACTIVE

NEXT SCHEDULED BOUTS:

Brampton Cup Tournament (TENTATIVE)

CURRENT TEAM/CLUB:

Cabbagetown Boxing Club

Toronto

COACH:

Johnny Kalbhenn

How Dangerous Is Boxing?

 

    ENTRY 519| NOVEMBER 17 /2023

HOW DANGEROUS IS BOXING?

A recent study compared the dangers of sports.

I found the results very interesting and somewhat surprising.

One would think that the most dangerous sports are the contact sports. However, the two most dangerous sports are in fact not contact sports at all. 

They are basketball and European football (soccer).

Keeping in mind that this study was based on statistics from reports of injuries caused while participating in said sport that required hospitalization.

The most dangerous contact sport is American football.

Some of the safest sports are baseball, swimming, ice hockey, and tennis.

Where does boxing fit into all of this? You may be surprised. 

It is dead last.

So, in addition to being the hardest sport, it is also the safest.

That is not to say that there are not any injuries, but it means that you are highly unlikely to receive an injury that is severe enough to need to go to the hospital.

Strict safety protocols are one of the main reasons.

For example, in most places in North America, boxers must have an annual check-up with a cardiologist.

That is the definition of irony to me. One of the reasons why I exercise is for a strong heart, but yet once a year I have to be tested to make sure that my heart is strong enough so I can exercise.

Okay, then.

For all those basketball players out there...switch to boxing. It is safer.

NEXT ENTRY: November 24/2023 

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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:

74 kg (167 lbs.)  

 STANCE:

Orthodox (left lead)

TRAINING STATUS:

ACTIVE

TRAINING SCHEDULE:

Mon: 0900-1030

Tue: 1730 -1930

Wed. 0900-1030

Thu. 1730-1930

Fri. 0900-1100

Holidays 0900-1030

COMPETITION STATUS:

 ACTIVE

NEXT SCHEDULED BOUTS:

TBA

CURRENT TEAM/CLUB:

Cabbagetown Boxing Club

Toronto

COACH:

Johnny Kalbhenn

It Was Like Trying To Move A Building

 

    ENTRY 518| NOVEMBER 10 /2023

IT WAS LIKE TRYING TO MOVE A BUILDING

Lots of sparring this week and I was able to attend the gym every day, so I did a total of 13 rounds this week.

I had a good variety of guys to work with, and I like that.

One guy I worked with a few times was a fairly big boy. He is about 240 lbs to my 165. He kept driving me to the ropes and the coach was yelling at me to spin him out. It was like trying to move a building. After several tries, I was finally able to do it. Yes! I was able to flip this big guy right around.

The coach's constant yelling of "Flip him around!" finally worked. Although I paid for it later. My shoulders were so sore that it felt like my arms were going to fall right off.

However, the coach did say that in a realistic situation, I would not have an opponent that big, but it was still good practice for me.

My trapezius' disagree and are still complaining.

CARD CANCELLED

On November 11 the Cabbagetown Boxing Club was supposed to host a boxing card. There were initially 10 bouts scheduled and I was really looking forward to it. However, for some reason, it was canceled. 

I was working very hard for that, but good training is never a waste. There will be other cards in the future.

MIKE TYSON IS AROUND!

One of the best boxers of all time and the boxer who first got me interested in boxing will be in the Toronto area this weekend.

Mike Tyson of 'Mike Tyson Mysteries' is scheduled to appear in Mississauga at the Sports Expo. 

Admission to the show is $20 which is a steal, but there is (of course) an additional fee to meet the sports stars. $200 to be exact. 

I;m sorry Mike, getting a photo of you is not worth $200. I can get one of them off the Internet for free.

I could just play Pavarotzi and wait for him to leave and then just snap a photo, but I don't know how well he would take that. I don't think pissing off Mike Tyson is a good idea.

Remember the Sean Penn incident?

There.

$200, please.

SPORTS CARD AND MEMORABILIA EXPO

NEXT ENTRY: November 17/2023 

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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

BOXING STATS:

9 bouts (Boxing Ontario) 

2 bouts (Ontario Boxing Association) 

1 bout (Florida State Athletic Commission) 

DIVISION:

Masters Novice

CURRENT WEIGHT:

73 kg (165 lbs.)  

 STANCE:

Orthodox (left lead)

TRAINING STATUS:

ACTIVE

TRAINING SCHEDULE:

Mon: 0900-1030

Tue: 1730 -1930

Wed. 0900-1030

Thu. 1730-1930

Fri. 0900-1100

Holidays 0900-1030

COMPETITION STATUS:

 ACTIVE

NEXT SCHEDULED BOUTS:

TBA

CURRENT TEAM/CLUB:

Cabbagetown Boxing Club

Toronto

COACH:

Johnny Kalbhenn

"Killer" Right

  

    ENTRY 517| NOVEMBER 3 /2023

BORING BOXING WEEK BUT THE "KILLER" RIGHT IS COMING!

Hey everyone.

You know. There is nothing to report this week. 

I did a total of four rounds of sparring where I practiced defense and by "killer" right that I had a bit of a problem with being able to land, but that's okay. That is what practice is for.

We are still working on the "left--left--left" and the "left--step back--right", both of which I really like, but I need to work on them more while sparring.

That's all for this week.

NEXT ENTRY: November 10/2023 

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OTHER PROJECTS

Writing

"The Talot Hills Memoirs", workplace humor, comedy, novel- 20 chapters

READ HERE on Wattpad

"The 58th Floor". science fiction, based on reality, novel- 14 chapters

READ HERE on Wattpad

"Five Days Left", science fiction, short-  1 chapter

READ HERE on ABCTales

"Unsupported File Format" science fiction, short- 1 chapter

READ HERE on ABCTales

"Obfuscation" science fiction, short- 1 chapter

READ HERE on ABCTales

"Knee-Deep In the Hoopla", screenplay. comedy, feature film

CONVERSION FROM NOVEL IN PROGRESS, RELEASE TBA

Synopsis: A film version of the novel "The Talbot Hills Memoirs".

"WOKE-up", situation comedy, controversial, TV series

CONCEPT SCRIPT AND PROGRAM OUTLINE IN PROGRESS, RELEASE TBA

Synopsis: A conservative father of a boy who thinks he's a girl and living next door to a married same-gender couple with an adopted girl who thinks she's a boy. Can this conservative father survive the WOKE generation?

"Toxic Transit: Why Public Transportation Is No Longer An Option To Driving", opinion, article

READ HERE on Medium

"From Talking Chickens To Flying Beer Bottles", workplace incidents, article

READ HERE on Vocal

"Three Days of Darkness", news retrospect, article

READ HERE on Vocal

Broadcasting

Stockyards Radio is set to return next year pending a server upgrade, The station will operate 24/7 with a whole new programming schedule featuring the return of "The Rockpile" and "Sounds From the Screen"

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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

BOXING STATS:

9 bouts (Boxing Ontario) 

2 bouts (Ontario Boxing Association) 

1 bout (Florida State Athletic Commission) 

DIVISION:

Masters Novice

CURRENT WEIGHT:

73 kg (165 lbs.)  

 STANCE:

Orthodox (left lead)

TRAINING STATUS:

ACTIVE

TRAINING SCHEDULE:

Wed. 0900-1100

Thu. 1730-1930

Fri. 0900-1100

Holidays 0900-1030

COMPETITION STATUS:

 ACTIVE

NEXT SCHEDULED BOUTS:

November 11 (tentative)

@Cabbagetoown Boxing Clun

CURRENT TEAM/CLUB:

Cabbagetown Boxing Club

Toronto

COACH:

Johnny Kalbhenn

Boo!

 

    ENTRY 516| OCTOBER 27 /2023

HAPPY BOO DAY EVERYONE!

Welcome to the Halloween edition.

There is nothing scary to report this week, as a matter of fact, boxing was very slow this week.

The coach and I are still working on defensive drills and improving my "killer" right. Even I don't want to be on the receiving end of one of those.

Sorry, all, there is not much to report in the boxing world for me.

There was a tournament this weekend but Masters were not invited, not that I would want to go, but its nice to be invited.

Also, big news for me, but not boxing-related, my e-novel "The Talbot Hills Memoirs" has finally been published. Use the link below to read for free.

Oh, and here is another Grammar Snob sighting:

Apparently, this Denny's located at the Stockyards *SERVED* wind and beer. That is past tense. That means that they no longer serve wine and beer, so why are they advertising that?

NEXT ENTRY: November 3 /2023 

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OTHER PROJECTS

Writing

"The Talot Hills Memoirs", workplace humor, comedy, novel- 20 chapters

READ HERE on Wattpad

"The 58th Floor". science fiction, based on reality, novel- 14 chapters

READ HERE on Wattpad

"Five Days Left", science fiction, short-  1 chapter

READ HERE on ABCTales

"Unsupported File Format" science fiction, short- 1 chapter

READ HERE on ABCTales

"Obfuscation" science fiction, short- 1 chapter

READ HERE on ABCTales

"Knee-Deep In the Hoopla", screenplay. comedy, feature film

CONVERSION FROM NOVEL IN PROGRESS, RELEASE TBA

Synopsis: A film version of the novel "The Talbot Hills Memoirs".

"WOKE-up", situation comedy, controversial, TV series

CONCEPT SCRIPT AND PROGRAM OUTLINE IN PROGRESS, RELEASE TBA

Synopsis: A conservative father of a boy who thinks he's a girl and living next door to a married same-gender couple with an adopted girl who thinks she's a boy. Can this conservative father survive the WOKE generation?

"Toxic Transit: Why Public Transportation Is No Longer An Option To Driving", opinion, article

READ HERE on Medium

"From Talking Chickens To Flying Beer Bottles", workplace incidents, article

READ HERE on Vocal

"Three Days of Darkness", news retrospect, article

READ HERE on Vocal

Broadcasting

Stockyards Radio is set to return next year pending a server upgrade, The station will operate 24/7 with a whole new programming schedule featuring the return of "The Rockpile" and "Sounds From the Screen"

░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░

ABOUT 'The Brick;

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

Political lean: None. (middle)

Personality Type (Myers-Briggs): INTJ

BOXING STATS:

9 bouts (Boxing Ontario) 

2 bouts (Ontario Boxing Association) 

1 bout (Florida State Athletic Commission) 

DIVISION:

Masters Novice

CURRENT WEIGHT:

73 kg (165 lbs.)  

 STANCE:

Orthodox (left lead)

TRAINING STATUS:

ACTIVE

TRAINING SCHEDULE:

Wed. 0900-1100

Thu. 1730-1930

Fri. 0900-1100

Holidays 0900-1030

COMPETITION STATUS:

 ACTIVE

NEXT SCHEDULED BOUTS:

November 11 (tentative)

@Cabbagetoown Boxing Clun

CURRENT TEAM/CLUB:

Cabbagetown Boxing Club

Toronto

COACH:

Johnny Kalbhenn

Proud To Be INTJ -and- The Beat Goes On

  

    ENTRY 515| OCTOBER 20 /2023

TRAINING UPDATE...THE BEAT GOES ON

The training pattern has remained the same this week and there was a bit of sparring. However, I didn't attend training on Friday due to a special event being held at the gym.

We are still working on defense and I did some sparring where I could practice what we worked on. As with everything in boxing, it is always easier on the bag and while shadow boxing than while sparring.

Speaking of sparring, I did seven rounds this week, a bit shy of the 10 that I like to do every week. However, on Thursday evenings the coach gets me to work with the younger guys and they move really fast although they are generally not very good at much else. It helps my speed and it helps them progress as well so I don't mind doing it.

I am working very hard because I am still trying to get onto the November 11 card hosted by the Cabbagetown Boxing Club. I will provide more on that as it becomes available.

PROUD TO BE INTJ

I recently took the Meyers-Briggs personality test three times to ensure that it was correct. I received the same result every time. A person's personality apparently doesn't change regardless of how many times one takes the test.

I have the very rare and most disliked personality of INTJ.

The INTJ personalities are:

• Introverted, we prefer a small circle of friends, and will generally prefer to associate with people who share a common interest or ideas.
• Intuitive, we are always thinking about everything all the time and often can not sleep well because our brains don't want to rest.
• Often make decisions on our own without consulting with others who may be affected because our decision is always the best one.
• Not caring what others think.
• Sarcastic, our raw humor is often a turn-off and sometimes offensive to other people.
• Perfectionists.

That type of personality is disliked because we come across as being "snobby", however, we are also:

• Loyal friends and do not tolerate fake friendships.
• Kind and caring although we don't show it.
• Get upset when someone gets angry at us and we spend a lot of time thinking about why it happened and how to avoid it happening again.

Having such a rare personality does give me a sense of pride, even though I may come across as being an "asshole", it isn't intentional. I can't; help who I am, but once you get to know me you will find a loyal and caring person inside a rough exterior.

NEXT ENTRY: October 27 /2023 

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OTHER PROJECTS

Writing

"The Talot Hills Memoirs", workplace humor, comedy, novel- 20 chapters

FINAL PROOFREADING IN PROGRESS, DUE LATE OCTOBER 2023

"The 58th Floor". science fiction, based on reality, novel- 14 chapters

READ HERE on Wattpad

"Five Days Left", science fiction, short-  1 chapter

READ HERE on ABCTales

"Unsupported File Format" science fiction, short- 1 chapter

READ HERE on ABCTales

"Obfuscation" science fiction, short- 1 chapter

READ HERE on ABCTales

"Knee-Deep In the Hoopla", screenplay. comedy, feature film

CONVERSION FROM NOVEL IN PROGRESS, RELEASE TBA

Synopsis: A film version of the novel "The Talbot Hills Memoirs".

"WOKE-up", situation comedy, controversial, TV series

CONCEPT SCRIPT AND PROGRAM OUTLINE IN PROGRESS, RELEASE TBA

Synopsis: A conservative father of a boy who thinks he's a girl and living next door to a married same-gender couple with an adopted girl who thinks she's a boy. Can this conservative father survive the WOKE generation?

"Toxic Transit: Why Public Transportation Is No Longer An Option To Driving", opinion, article

READ HERE on Medium

"From Talking Chickens To Flying Beer Bottles", workplace incidents, article

READ HERE on Vocal

"Three Days of Darkness", news retrospect, article

READ HERE on Vocal

Broadcasting

Stockyards Radio is set to return next year pending a server upgrade, The station will operate 24/7 with a whole new programming schedule featuring the return of "The Rockpile" and "Sounds From the Screen"

░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░

ABOUT 'The Brick;

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

Political lean: None. (middle)

Personality Type (Myers-Briggs): INTJ

BOXING STATS:

9 bouts (Boxing Ontario) 

2 bouts (Ontario Boxing Association) 

1 bout (Florida State Athletic Commission) 

DIVISION:

Masters Novice

CURRENT WEIGHT:

73 kg (165 lbs.)  

 STANCE:

Orthodox (left lead)

TRAINING STATUS:

ACTIVE

TRAINING SCHEDULE:

Wed. 0900-1100

Thu. 1730-1930

Fri. 0900-1100

Holidays 0900-1030

COMPETITION STATUS:

 ACTIVE

NEXT SCHEDULED BOUTS:

November 11 (tentative)

@Cabbagetoown Boxing Clun

CURRENT TEAM/CLUB:

Cabbagetown Boxing Club

Toronto

COACH:

Johnny Kalbhenn

A Moving Target Is Harder To Hit!

 

    ENTRY 514| OCTOBER 13 /2023

MORE DEFENSE!

This week the coach and I have been working very heavily on defense.

"I want you to be the hitter, not the hitee". and "A moving target is harder to hit" are lines I hear frequently from the coach, and he is right.

We have been working on head movement and stepping out of the way. Blocking, ducking and parrying as well.

All week long we have been drilling defensive moves that he wants me to practice during sparring.

One of my favorite techniques is a left jab, stepping back, and returning with a straight right. I like that move but it is difficult to execute while sparring. nut it is worth practicing.

It looks like we will be focusing on that for a while.

That's all for this entry...

Oh, I almost forgot...

Did you find the grammatical error in the poster from the last entry?

There are actually two.

The first one is that it should be "Tap with **A** bowling ball, but that is very minor albeit technically incorrect.

The major one is "Tap with Debit **AND** Credit".

You would not use both at the same time. You would use Debit **OR** Credit, so it should be "Tap with Debit **OR** Credit. That one is more major and I am surprised that the Toronto Transit Commission missed it, or maybe they didn't miss it but just didn't care. I am guessing the latter. Just like they don't care about being on time, but I'm not discussing that here...right now.

NEXT ENTRY: October 20 /2023 

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ABOUT 'The Brick;

'The Brick' is a competitive boxer trained for over 12 years.

STATS:

9 bouts (Boxing Ontario) 

2 bouts (Ontario Boxing Association) 

1 bout (Florida State Athletic Commission) 

DIVISION:

Masters Novice

CURRENT WEIGHT:

73 kg (165 lbs.)  

 STANCE:

Orthodox (left lead)

TRAINING STATUS:

ACTIVE

TRAINING SCHEDULE:

Wed. 0900-1100

Thu. 1730-1930

Fri. 0900-1100

Holidays 0900-1030

COMPETITION STATUS:

 ACTIVE

NEXT SCHEDULED BOUTS:

November 11 (tentative)

@Cabbagetoown Boxing Clun

CURRENT TEAM/CLUB:

Cabbagetown Boxing Club

Toronto

COACH:

Johnny Kalbhenn