Bronze Gloves This Weekend~~"The Brick" Loses His Job~~REVIEW: "Cobra Kai" Brings Back the 80s

ENTRY 420

BRONZE GLOVES TRAINING CONTINUES BUT NO OPPONENT IN SIGHT

As of the writing of this article, there is nobody else in my division registered for the Bronze Gloves.  someone registered in my division within an hour before deadline.

Here is the line up of registrants for this year's Bronze Gloves in my division:

From this, it looks like I will be stepping into the ring this weekend.

Training has been tough.

Especially the last few with it being so hot.

I have been working very hard, and I have been keeping very close to my roster weight at 81 kg.

My last weight check on May 29:

I am checking every day now, and I have been constantly very close.

I train six times per week, now that I can, but more about that later in this article.

However, the last training session on Tuesday did not go so well.

I got pissed off.

I know. When am I not pissed off?

Actually, I have been quite happy lately and even praised the coaches in a recent blog entry.

Although I like the quality of coaching, sometimes the coaches do things that annoy me.

It appears that the Grandpa Syndrom is rearing its ugly head again, but it usually doesn't bother me much anymore because I know that in the long run the coaches do care and they are still giving me a lot of chances to compete.

I have had more ring time since joining this gym than I have had at any other. I appreciate that. 
However, there are still some things that I feel are causing roadblocks in my training, and can very easily be corrected by the coaches.

My piss off on Tuesday was that due to the fact that Grandpa could not complete the team training, he was pulled into the class.

Here is the thing: Tuesday is beginner's class.

I am not a beginner. I am on the competitive team, and should always be training with them. 

Anyway, okay, whatever. Like I said before, I don't mind working with the beginners, but just not four days before a bout. 

The problem was that the people the coach had me working with were fucking around.

They were not paying attention, standing around yapping, and taking many breaks.

These actions were holding me back. 
The thing is that these same guys do the exact same thing in every class and the coach knows that. He has complained about it before. So, why put a competitive boxer with them?

Oh yeah, I'm Grandpa and so I won't notice.

I don't understand how people can come to a class and be so disrespectful to the coaches and other members. I mean, why are they allowed to keep coming to class? They should be ejected and told not to come back unless they were to behave. This isn't fucking Kindergarten. 

I work very hard and take this sport very seriously.

If the beginners don't want to take it seriously, (A) Don't put me with them, and (B) Don't allow them in class.

Am I wrong about any of this?

Of course, if I complain, I am being a cry-baby and at least one of the coaches will turn it around and make it my fault.

Like they did with the Brampton Cup. Apparently, I had no right to be pissed about being out $400.

Therefore, I have decided that going forward, I am not going to attend Tuesday classes within two weeks of a bout, I will still go in to train, but not to class.

I just renewed my membership with them, and I am paying $150 a month for those classes. Therefore, I can pick and chose which ones I attend.

I have decided that with all the progress I have made, attending the beginner's class would be counter-productive at this point in my boxing career.

It is not a big deal since I now have plenty of time to train.

IN-SECURITY 

I am working on a new e-novel called "IN-Security" which documents the past eight years of my life as a security guard.

That may be coming to an end.

On Monday, I was booted from the property I worked at near Jane and Finch for the past three months. The reason: The property manager didn't like me.

This was the third boot in a year for the exact same reason.

Here is what I have to say about that: Who the fuck cares what the property manager likes?

Seriously.

I am not there to be buddies with the property manager or anyone else for that matter. I am there to do a job.

As long as the work is getting done that is all that matters. 
Well, that is how it used to be. Now it just seems to just be about kissing asses.

I'm sorry. I don't kiss ass. I kick ass when it needs to be kicked.

That line seems familiar. I think I wrote that somewhere before.

Anyway,

This was the large property I worked. Three 12-story buildings with several townhomes all connected with a grid of underground parking.

It was is a rough area, so I had to deal with idiots and parking violations as well. 

There were a lot of those.

I did the best I absolutely could as I always did for the past eight years.

However, for the last time, a property manager complained that she didn't like me because I didn't kiss her ass.

I am on vacation for a week and I am supposed to contact the manager on Monday for another placement.

However, I am beginning to wonder if I want to continue working as a security guard.

I feel that I have not been respected.

Why would a property manager hire security if she does us going to keep interfering with their work? 
Let the security guards do their job, damn it.

Another piss off of mine: Everyone knows my job except me.

Anyhow, I have a few days to decide what I am going to do.

Right now my priority is the Bronze Gloves.

REVIEW: "Cobra Kai" YouTube TV Series

As a child (Okay, teen) of the 80s, I like 80s nostalgic things.

I was very interested when I saw the promos for the YouTube Red series Cobra Kai.

Now that I have watched most of the first season, I have to say I am very impressed.

I don't want to give any spoilers, but I will give you a basic synopsis for those who have not seen any of it.

I was first impressed that the original actors returned to their original characters. 
Generally, actors do not like to be associated with any one character, so I was pleased that both Ralph Macchio and William Zabka both revived Daniel and Johnny, respectively.

The beginning of the series looks back to the ending of the first film, which they had changed for the purposes of this series.

In this series, not only did Johnny not win the tournament, but he was knocked out.
Albeit by an illegal technique.
Head contact was not allowed in that tournament, remember?

Anyway, as we move to 30 years later, Johnny has a crappy job that he hates and Daniel owns an auto dealership. Actually, four of them.

Apparently losing the All-Valley Under 18 Karate Tournament 30 years ago directly affects your life to the point where you can't even get a decent job.
Okay, there may have been other factors too, but this has caused resentment by Johnny towards Daniel as he keeps seeing his ads on TV.

Eventually, through a chain of events that you will have to watch the series to find out, Johnny must meet his arch nemesis at Larusso Automotive.

Through another chain of events, which you will again have to watch the series to find out, Johnny decides to teach karate by opening a Cobra Kai dojo.

Daniel sees the dojo one day and gets all pissy-faced about it.
He confronts Johnny, and the whole thing starts all over again...

This is definitely a series worth watching. Even if you don't remember the original film series.

Although a YouTube Red subscription is not available in Canada, the first two episodes are free to view, and the following can be purchased individually.



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--Paul 'The Brick' Brec, 2017 Golden Gloves Silver Medalist

When the Coach Is Unhappy, We Are All Unhappy

ENTRY 419

WHEN THE COACH IS UNHAPPY, WE ARE ALL UNHAPPY

Saturday team training did not go well. 

First of all, I was a little late. Not by much. Just an hour.
I was under the understanding that we started at 11.
When I arrived, they were already well into the circuit training.
We were doing some training outside and the coach saw me exit the bus. I could already tell he wasn't pleased.
We actually started at 10. However, it wasn't just me he was pissed at.

Apparently, the entire team performed very poorly throughout.

In a way, I am happy that I wasn't there, but that does not let me off the hook.
Although I was not late on purpose, I am still part of the team. When the team screws up, we all screw up.

It really bothers me when the coach is upset.

I have a lot of respect for the coaches for one major reason.
They have taught me more about boxing over the past year than I have learned in my entire seven years of returning to boxing.

When you have coaches that care about the athletes, but the athletes don't do what the coach wants, the coach gets upset. 
Of course.


When you don't work hard, it is disrespectful to the coach, but it also doesn't help the athlete. You are cheating yourself. 
The coach can not do the exercises for you. He can only tell you what you need to do to be a better athlete. The rest is up to you.

The coach only wants to build his athletes. Make them the best they can be.
He can not do that if the team does not cooperate with him, and that makes him frustrated.

The coach was so angry that he canceled Saturday's sparring session.

As much as I respect the coach, I did not agree with that.

Sparring is an important part of training. As important if not more important than all the rest.
I have some things that I need to work on for the Bronze Gloves, which is only three weeks away.

However, the coach did express his opinion of the team's performance.

I feel bad for being late, although it was a mistake. I also feel bad that the coach was unhappy with us due to our poor training effort on Saturday.
With a major tournament less than a month away we should be busting out butts off.
The coach was right for being upset.

My apologies for misunderstanding the start time. I will make sure to arrive on time in the future.

For my teammates and all other athletes, two important messages:

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--Paul 'The Brick' Brec, 2017 Golden Gloves Silver Medalist

Bell Ring=Brain Freeze and Kingston Bout Cancelled

ENTRY 418


BELL RING = BRAIN FREEZE

On April 28 in Hamilton, I stepped into the ring versus Jay Persao of the Steeltown Boxing Club.
He was a good opponent, and I had an entire plan on what I was going to do.
I was ready and I was hyped. Then it happened, DING!, first round bell. At that point, I completely forgot everything I was going to do.

I don't even want to discuss it too much because it was an absolutely terrible performance. I am much better than what I showed in the ring that night.

All I can do is move on, so that is exactly what I am going to do.

Moving on...



KINGSTON BOUT CANCELLED

My coach has removed me from my bout versus Jack Chisamore in Kingston.
His reason is due to the proximity to the Bronze Gloves which begins the following day.

Jack has since found another opponent.
This bout is very important to him because it will be his very last one and he wanted it in his hometown.
Apparently, he has never competed in Kingston.

I felt bad about it but it wasn't my decision. 
I had no problem doing both, but sometimes coaches make decisions on behalf of the athlete that the athlete does not agree with, but that is how competitive sports work.
Ultimately the coach is the boss.

I am happy that Jack found an opponent and I wish him all the best.

Now, I am training hard for the Bronze Gloves which begin on June 1. 




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--Paul 'The Brick' Brec, 2017 Golden Gloves Silver Medalist

Congrats to Rick Soucé

ENTRY 417



COACH RICK SOUCÉ HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE

Congratulations to my former coach Rick Soucé. Next month he will be inducted into the Brampton Sports Hall of Fame.

Photo credit: Brampton Guardian

Richard began boxing at the Champion Boxing Gym in Brampton as an amateur, but began his career as a professional boxer in 1986.
He has had 22 professional bouts in the super lightweight division, with opponents such as Hector Camacho in 1988. 
During his time as a professional, he has had 22 bouts and had won 15 of them.

Rick retired from professional boxing in 1992 after losing a decision to Andy Wong in Orillia.
Since then, Richard has gone into a new career but he did not forget about boxing.
Since 2011 he has been coaching and mentoring a new breed of young boxers at his boxing gym, Stockyards Boxing and Fitness. 

A Young Richard Soucé at Champion Boxing Club

I had the pleasure of training with Richard at Stockyards Gym. 
Although he is no longer my coach, we are still good friends. He is one of the nicest people you could meet.

If anyone deserves to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, it is him.
Congratulations, Richard, on your accomplishment. You are one step closer to the Canadian Hall of Fame.

The Inductee Ceremony will be held at the Rose Theatre on May 15.










TRAINING FOR HAMILTON CONTINUES: LAST WEEK

This is it. The last week of training until my bout in Hamilton on Saturday.

I sparred last Wednesday, Sunday, and will probably on Monday.
I may even go in early Friday morning as well. 
Work is preventing me from training the rest of the week, so I need to get in as much as possible.
My coaches and I have been working on a lot, and there has been a lot of improvement.

After Saturday, training camp for the Bronze Gloves will begin, but I still have a bout in Kingston just before that.

It will be very busy for me, but this is the real test.
This is the time for me to prove myself to my coaches and to myself. To make all the hard work over the past couple of months to pay off.

This is the time for the referee to raise my arm at the and of the bout.


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--Paul 'The Brick' Brec, 2017 Golden Gloves Silver Medalist

April 28 Prep and Stockyards Gets Iced

ENTRY 416

GETTING READY: JUST TWO WEEKS LEFT

It is approaching fast. Two weeks from now.
My first official bout for 2018. 
I will be in Hamilton for a card at Steeltown Boxing Club near Upper Ottawa Street and Stone Church Road.

I have been working very hard with the coaches and doing some personal training sessions with them.
My opponent has not had any bouts so this will be his first. That does not mean anything. I have learned to never underestimate your opponent. You have to be ready for anything.

For those who want to come out to the card in Hamilton, here is the address:

My coaches and I have also accepted the third bout versus Jack Chisamore in Kingston on May 31.

I will have more on the card in Kingston as it gets closer.

Please be aware that there will be no blog entries on competition days. Therefore, there will be no entry on April 28.
The results of my bout will be posted the following week or in a special entry a few days later. 

STOCKYARDS GETS ICED

The Stockyards card that was scheduled to happen on Saturday evening had been canceled to due inclement weather. Freezing rain and a flash freeze in Southern Ontario had caused dangerous traveling conditions.
That was the first time I can remember that Stockyards had canceled one of their shows for any reason. 
One of the guys from my team was scheduled to be on the card and I was supposed to video record for Metropolis TV. 
Due to scheduling conflicts, we could not cover the last two. This would have been our first Stockyards coverage of the year.

It was unfortunate but both Stockyards Boxing coaches and Boxing Ontario officials decided that it was better to be safe.

The next Stockyards boxing card is scheduled for June 9. 
It is unlikely there will be an ice storm to ruin it.



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--Paul 'The Brick' Brec, 2017 Golden Gloves Silver Medalist

It Looks Like A Busy Bout Schedule For 'The Brick'

ENTRY 415



FOUR BOUTS POSSIBLE WITHIN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS

It looks like a busy couple of months coming up. 
After about four months of nothing, I have four possible bouts coming up between now and the beginning of June.

I have a bout confirmed at the Steeltown Boxing Club on April 28. 

On May 31, I have the planned trilogy bout with Jack Chisamore in Kingston.

That same weekend, the Bronze Gloves is scheduled. That is June 1 to the 3.

Also, I just found out that there also may be a bout on June 7 at the CBC  building.

That is a lot of ring time over a short period.

However, I had never been offered so much competition before with any coach. 
That being said, I do deserve it. I have been working very hard and I have improved a lot just over the last few months.

We have been working on some new and special moves, and starting next week we are going to be putting together a 'game plan'. 

Hopefully with more sparring as well.

Wednesday sparring was rather difficult for me.
I was trying to work on all the things I had been practicing with the coach.
As I mentioned before, there is a big difference practicing with the coach and working on the same thing in sparring.
That is one of the annoyances of sparring. You work all week with the coaches on something and then try to apply it in sparring, but you don't get the chance. 
Pisses me right off to hell.
However, I still have time to work on what I need to do.

Coach wants me to be below 180 lbs. for my bout in Hamilton.

I am a bit over that right now, so my trainer wants me on a no-carb diet for the rest of the month.

Really.

I said to him, "Do you have any idea how difficult that is?"

He said, "Yes. I'm on one myself."

Oh, okay. Well, that didn't work out as planned.
I guess I'm going on a no-carb diet.


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--Paul 'The Brick' Brec, 2017 Golden Gloves Silver Medalist

Jack Chisamore vs. 'The Brick' Trilogy -and- Back To Hamilton !

ENTRY 414



JACK CHISAMORE VS. 'THE BRICK' TRILOGY

Last week I tried for the world record for world's shortest blog entry. One word.
Apparently, it wasn't the shortest. The shortest is one letter.

I was trying to build up some suspense because that is what I like to do.

So far, here is what is happening:

Until now, I have had no scheduled bouts for whatever reason.
Jack Chisamore whom I met in the ring during both the Silver Gloves and the Golden Gloves has offered for me to go to Kingston on May 31 for a match at a card being hosted by his boxing club.
My coach has left it up to me to decide if I want to go ahead with it. Which will, of course, mean making a three hour trip to Kingston.

I have decided to go ahead with it and go one more time with Jack Chisamore as an opponent.
Scheduled for May 31 in Kingston.


BACK TO HAMILTON

In the process of deciding whether to do a part three with Jack, another bout fell into my lap.

I may have an opponent from the Steeltown Boxing in Hamilton this month, on April 28.
Jay Persaro who was supposed to be my opponent at the Brampton Cup and then again at the Stockyards card, he has decided that he wants to try again later this month.


After a few months of nothing, I now have two bouts about a month apart.

That means getting back to work and serious training.

More details on both of these bouts as I find out more, plus more about my training right here on 'Comments From the Blue Corner'.


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--Paul 'The Brick' Brec, 2017 Golden Gloves Silver Medalist