Bloor Boxing Has Decided To Become A Film Studio !

Well, this is just like my life. Right now, I am only going to Bloor Boxing on Mondays. So, of course this is the day a freaking film crew decided to work in there.
This is one of my top-10 Peeves. You need to decide if you are going to be a gym or a film studio. You can't do both. It is really pissing me off. Kingsway did that a few weeks ago as well. They brought in a film crew, and kicked out all of the members. It may not sound like that big of a deal, but it happens frequently. 
Anyway, this huge crew of about 10 people, director, camera people, actors, and whomever started to file into my space!  They started dropping craploads of gear all over the place, and they dropped their stupid scrips and runsheets all over the ring.
It was getting kind of crowded, which wasn't too bad, until...

Script, runsheet and clapboard.

The director had the nerve to turn off my radio! He did not even ask. That really pissed me off.
I said to him, "Stop turning off my radio", and he said, "Well, we are rolling soon"."We are renting this place."
So? You don't have any manners? I don't give a rat's big red fat patootee who you are or who you thing you are, or what the 'F' you are renting. Don't you have any manners?
I told him, "I don't care. I am paying to train here." Then he said, "When will you be finished?"
I was actually ready to leave, but because he was being an ass, I decided to stay longer. "In about 20 minutes.", I said.
I think he got the message. You are in a boxing gym, buddy. It is not a good idea to piss off the ones who train in there.
I took my sweet time, and made him wait. In the meantime, I took a peek at the script. All I saw was "HOOKER #1:" and "HOOKER #2:" What kind of movie is this?
Don't get me wrong. I am a photographer too. However, I do my best not to interfere with other people. Also, if you want to film, either rent the location at a time when it is not busy. After midnight, for example. Even better, Toronto has about 85,000 film studios. Rent one of those.
OK, that's my rant for now.

My next scheduled match: [TBA]

My current division and class: Master's Novice 92 kg [Super-Heavyweight]

My current record (Kingsway): 0 - 0 - 0  //0  (2 Open Sparring)

Paul "The Comeback Kid" /  Paul "The Brick" Brec

My First Hard Sparring Match At Kingsway

There are a lot of things boxing coaches do to prepare you for upcoming competition. One of those things is sparring.
There are two types of sparring, Hard Sparring and Soft Sparring. I go into more details about this in my article "All A-BOUT Boxing" on Triond.  To put it simply, Soft Sparring is used for coaches to judge a boxer's performance. Participants do not throw full-power punches, but concentrate more on technique. I have been doing this for a while. However, once you are ready, the coach will put you into the ring for Hard Sparring, also called Open Sparring. With this, full-contact punches are thrown, as if in a match. This is a boxer's first step into the "real-world" of boxing. It prepares you for what it is like to be in an actual competition. Let's face it, in an actual match, your opponent is not going to throw baby punches. He is going to want to knock you onto your ass.
As I mentioned before, the coach has to be confident that you are ready for this kind of activity, of course. Well, this past week I was ready.
The coach stuck me between the ropes with Antonio. Antonio has only started at Kingsway three months before I, but does not really have any previous boxing experience.
I did three grueling rounds. Three minute rounds, which I may add, are longer than actual competition rounds. The Master's Division has only one minute rounds.
Anyway, Antonio is...good. I appreciate that, because just like with any sport, you learn from people who are better than you. I am not saying he's better, but definitely has a different style. That is what makes boxing the sport it is. Two different guys, with different ways of doing things, trying figure out the other person's way.
I found that I have a "Getting punched in the face" phobia. So, guess where my defense was all the time? Well, it did not take long for Antonio to pick up on it. Remember last week, at the Camp, when I went nuts on Phil? This was the same, except it was my ribs being pounded. Now I know how those sides of beef must have felt when Rocky trained in that meat freezer.
The good thing was, I didn't get hit in the head. Well, I wasn't letting anything though up there, but my body was a different story. Can you say: "Open season on Paul's ribs"? My coach kept on yelling, "Paul, you're leaving your body open!" Yes, thank you Coach! I never noticed!
I was also told to circle to his left, not his right. So, what did I do? I circled to his right! I kept getting nailed by his right cross. Although, it didn't get through, still...
My coach said that I did fine, but I feel I could have done much better. That is a good thing. Once an athlete gets cocky, it is not a good thing. You should always have a goal in any sport. Always find something that can be improved. In my case: Body defense. I will definitely work on that. My bruised ribs are telling me that.
I am looking forward to the next Open Sparring. I like it. It is a great exercise, and a great--although sometimes painful--way to learn.

My next scheduled match: [TBA]

My current division and class: Master's Novice 92 kg [Super-Heavyweight]

My current record (Kingsway): 0 - 0 - 0  //0  (1 Open Sparring)

Paul "The Comeback Kid" /  Paul "The Brick" Brec

A Weekend At Boxing Camp

OK, so, remember summer camp? You had so much fun?
This is nothing like that.
The idea is to prepare you for competition boxing, regardless of what level you currently stand. This is done by teaching all aspects of the sport in a logical manner.
You start of with the basics. How to stand, how to move, offense and defense. Then it is all put together.
Most will be surprised at how complicated boxing really is.
Let me see how much I remember. There are eight offensive moves, and five defensive. There is a certain way to stand, and two ways to move. There is offensive footwork, and defensive footwork. Oh, yeah. It takes a lot of knowledge to become a good boxer. It is not just about pounding the piss out of each other. Although, that is the fun part. I mean, pounding the piss out of another guy. Not me getting the piss pounding.
Although, at the end of the course we did some technical sparring. We were supposed to not hit so hard, but I get a bit too aggressive, and payed for it. I will discuss that later.
The course ran two days, and each day we started with a warm-up. Each class also included an "introduction" to conditioning. This is the most important part of boxing. You can have the best technique in the world, but if you can't last the three rounds, you won't get anywhere. I am personally not a huge fan of the conditioning part. Skipping and push-ups are very repetitive and boring, but it has to be done. However, the good part about bing in the Master's division, one-minute rounds. That is a huge advantage when you are training for three-minute rounds.
One of the biggest things I took away from this camp is a huge improvement in my technique. The coach was very impressed.
I did quite well at the technical sparring. I was sparring Phil. As I mentioned before, I got a bit too aggressive. This type of sparring is supposed to be done lightly. Well, I got Phil against the ropes, and began to pound on him. The coach was egging me on, and I felt really good about it. Phil is a really good boxer, and I found it odd that he stayed on the ropes for a good 10 seconds to let me play drums on his kidneys. Well, that fun didn't last long. He suddenly spun around and knocked me silly with an overhand right to the side of the head.
OK, my fault...my fault. This sparring bout was video recorded, I'd like to see it.
I also have a exhibition match coming up later this week, where I can really get aggressive. Looking forward to it.
Well, overall I learned a lot at the camp. Back to regular training on Monday.
Oh, and I am looking for another nickname. I have had a suggestion of "The Brick". Yes, Paul "The Brick" Brec...

My next scheduled match: [TBA]

My current division and class: Master's Novice 92 kg [Super-Heavyweight]

My current record (Kingsway): 0 - 0 - 0  //0

Paul "The Comeback Kid" /  Paul "The Brick" Brec

Team Training Extreme, or How To Kill Paul In One Easy Lesson

Well, followers of your humble boxer, 'The Comeback Kid', I have some news. The training camp scheduled for next weekend has be postponed until next month due to "scheduling conflicts".
In the meantime, I am still training very hard.
As you know, from a previous post, we have team training with the coach and assistant coach every Saturday from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM. During this time, the coaches run through some drills and discuss upcoming matches.

This was a particularly more "difficult" training session than in the past. For one, this was the first time at this gym that I did technical sparring. That is a few months.
At first the coach had me in with little Nichole. Yes, a small girl. Well, you know what I mean. I guess the coach under-estimated me, because she was not challenging enough for me. Being a much shorter height did not help, either.
After a couple of rounds, the coach switched out Nichole with Chris. That's Big, Tall, Strong Chris, who has been boxing steady for quite a while. I felt better sparring with a male, and I don't mind that he has more experience.  That is how you learn.
One of the things I like about boxing, is that it is one of the few sports, where if you make a mistake, you know immediately. You will also not likely make the same mistake twice, because it hurts.
Chris did not fool around, he took this whole sparring thing very seriously. I did as well, and I also realized a mistake I was making. I **discovered** that I keep my lower ribcage open. How do I know this? Chris pointed it out to me. Now, a normal person might clue in after getting hit in the ribs once, twice maximum. Not Paul. Six times! Yes, my ribs were very sore after that beating. You are probably asking, 'Did you learn anything, Paul?' The answer is, I don't know. I will find out the next time I am sparring with Chris. I'm sure he will remind me.
After sparring, we went for our first jogging of the season. It was sunny and warm, and a nice day for outside training. It is important to note that this is after being inside all winter and also I was just coming off of having a cold, with a chest congestion. The assistant coach took us for a run "just around the block". Well, its a huge block. There is a film studio behind the boxing gym, to give you an idea of the size of this "block".

Our jogging route. Just around the block. Yeah, right.

Since I was not used to jogging, and just having a cold, I unfortunately could not make the run. I made it as far as Norseman Street, and felt like I had to 'ralph', so I did what any tough-guy boxer would do. I took a bus back to the gym.
It is not a big deal. I just have to make sure I am getting out jogging more. Now that the warmer weather is here, I should get out every day.
The coach said that once our run was finished, so were we. The assistant coach had a different idea: Three rounds on the bag, and ab work. Thank you for that.
Before leaving, the coach handed me some forms to get my boxing registration. There is a "team fight" coming up. I am not sure what that is. I believe it is some kind of an exhibition match. I would like to be in it. I hope I am ready.
I think my coaches are very impressed with my progress. I like this sport very much, and I try very hard to stay on top of it.
I have also been asked to keep a fitness log showing everything I do, and also noting my weight and resting pulse. The coach will be checking these every week to be sure we staying on our training. Well, they don't have to worry about me.
That's all for this entry. Until next time, please don't touch me in the ribcage.

My next scheduled match: [TBA]

My current division and class: Master's 89 kg

My current record (Kingsway): 0 - 0 - 0  //0

My next scheduled camp: Kingsway Fight Camp, May 14 - 15

Paul "The Comeback Kid"

Training For Training Camp

Yes, it has been a while since entering something here. that is because I have been very busy...training.
I am at one or another gym every day, doing some kind of training. I am preparing myself for the training camp later this month.
My coach at Kingsway wants the team to work on upper-body strengthening. However, we do not want to 'bulk-up'. The idea is to become stronger without moving into a higher weight class. This involves a series of exercises where you would use small dumbbells, and a high number or reps.
There is also one where you throw a medicine ball against the wall and catch it, as if you were throwing a punch. Well, the first time I did this, I did not catch the ball, and instead bent back my fingers...Ow!
There are also, my favorite, push-ups. I love these almost as much as I like having a colonoscopy.  The coach wants us doing three sets of 20 push-ups, at least. Of course, this is on top of the 100 or so we do in or other regular training classes. That's fine. I have to do these as part of training, but I don't have to like it.
My coach also wants me to start sparring again. That's fine, too. Sparring is the best exersice. However, becuase of my work schedule, I can never make it in time for the sparring class. I have been waiting (hinting) that they should do sparring on Saturdays during team training, after all it is team training !
Anyway, I am looking forward to the Camp, as it is very intensive. They even teach you the rules. Wow! Imagine actaully learning the rules of the sport. That comes in handy.
As for my TV series "The Boxer", I got a bit behind, and I will be submitting the preliminary outline shortly.

My next scheduled match: [TBA]

My current division and class: Master's 88 kg

My current record (Kingsway): 0 - 0 - 0  //0

My next scheduled camp: Kingsway Fight Camp, April 16-17

Paul "The Comeback Kid"

(53 / 4) + 712 - (17+ 3) * 18 / 4 = Left Jab

Who would have thought that boxing could be so complicated?
I currently have two coaches, and they are both very good. However, I find that the way the teach is very "technical".
When I first learned how to box, some 15 or so years ago, it was really not that complicated. You just punch really hard and hope to get a knock out.
As I mentioned before, my current coaches hate my style, and want to re-tech me, the "technical" way.
Everything is so formatted. Including distance between the feet, angle of the feet, positioning of the knees, chin and elbows.
"Why are your feet less than 50 cm apart?"
"Your left foot is too straight."
"Your right foot should be at a 40 degree angle."
"Your chin should not be in front of your left knee."
"Your knees are not bent enough."
Wow! Give be a rest. This is supposed to be a sport of physical endurance. I did not know I would need a degree in Mathematics.

Don't get me wrong, I like my coaches. If what they are teaching will make me a better boxer, then I will gladly listen. I am just surprised at how technical this sport has become.
I am happy to say that my new coaches have really helped improve my boxing. With coaching from Kingsway, along with regular training at Bloor Street, I can soon see myself back into regular competition by summer.
I was also looking for a ring name, but I found out that ring names are illegal in amateur boxing. I guess that is out. However, I will still use "The Comeback Kid" in my blog entries, for now anyway.
Update on my TV show "The Boxer": Outline script almost complete. Should be ready to submit to Rogers TV by the end of March.

My next scheduled match: [TBA]

My current division and class: Master's 88 kg

My current record (Kingsway): 0 - 0 - 0  //0

My next scheduled camp: Kingsway Fight Camp, April 16-17

Paul "The Comeback Kid"

Team Training and Conditioning: No Sweat, I Mean, Lots of Sweat!

As part of the Kingsway Team, I am required to attend team training and conditioning every Saturday. We train from 11:00 - 12:30. Training consists of an assesment, basic training, cardio and sparring. 

Kingsway Boxing Club, Ring and Strength Training Area

If you have ever wondered why boxers are in such great shape, here is why:

ASSESSMENT: Shadow boxing in front of the coach, and the coach will grade you and provide feedback.

TRAINING:  Heavy bag work, speed bag, shadow boxing and pad work, 3 rounds of each.

CARDIO/CONDITIONING:  100 Push-ups, 50 Sit-ups, 50 Burpees, 100 Squats, 50 Jumping-Jacks, jogging around the gym for 2 rounds, speed punching with dumbbells for 2 rounds.

SPARRING: 6 rounds of contact sparring.

 Kingsway Boxing Club, Technical and Cardio Training Area

Once all this is done, you are expected to show up for one more conditioning class, which pretty well repeats the above condtioning. Plus, two more days for open training to practice your assessment results.
I remember my first conditioning class at this gym, I was so sore after. However, it has not been so bad lately. A sign that I am getting stronger.
On the road to becoming a World-Class athlete. Well, everyone needs a goal.

My next scheduled match: [TBA]
My current division and class: Master's 88 kg
My current record (Kingsway): 0 - 0 - 0  //0
My next scheduled camp: Kingsway Fight Camp, April 16-17

If you are interested in competition boxing, regardless of your skill or age, contact the Kingsway Boxing Club

Paul "The Comeback Kid"