3 x 2min rounds, how hard can it be?
In May 2018 I’d seen one of my friends have a few 1-1 boxing sessions and it sparked curiosity, “how hard can it be?”. I’d always considered my fitness to be ‘ready for anything’. That’s not to say I’d be the best in the room, but more that I would be able to complete the task in front of me.
Reality check, boxers are super athletes!
I remember my first session over at Box2Burn with Head Coach Billy Long, an ex professional boxer. The warm up at the time had me questioning, ‘how am I going to last an hour?’. Round by round went by on the timer and before I knew it, the session was nearly over.
After a few months of training with Billy once a week, he asked if I would consider a white collar boxing fight, ‘It’ll only be 3 lots of 2minute rounds, you’ll be fine!’. My initial response was no, I’d already told myself that I was only investing in these sessions to improve a skill and my fitness. Continuing with these sessions, week by week Billy would slowly work his way into my head and before you know it, I said yes! I had agreed to a white collar boxing fight, which was at none other than the Indigo Arena at the O2, to be held on the 20th October 2018, only 5 months after my initial pad work training session.
‘Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face’
Mike Tyson
I remember one of my sparring sessions in the build up to the fight, with over 60 seconds left in the round, I got caught on my nose and started to taste my blood trickling into my mouth. I looked to the coach to ask if can we pause and sort this out, his response was clear, ‘you’ve still got time on the clock, BOX’. It turns out that this was exactly what was needed, because after that, my guard stayed up and I respected the fact that the person I’m sharing the ring with is setting out to win.
FIGHT NIGHT
At this point, I have no idea who I’m sharing the ring with. It’s only when I step into the ring I’m stood opposite a guy wearing custom boxing shorts, with his surname embroidered. I’m left thinking that this guy must be good. He also chose not to wear a head guard, blimey he must be really good.
All of the training paid off, I got the win from the judges and we were awarded fight of the night which was a fantastic feeling.
Adrenaline was racing throughout my body the whole day, peaking during the fight and then BOOM. I was completely wiped out, zero energy and given the chance would have fallen asleep standing. I have so much respect to anyone that gets into the ring, from a white collar fight to the professionals title fight. It’s a massive achievement.
How does all of this help my fitness, personal training and remotely coached clients?
I’m a Hatton Academy Boxing for Fitness Courses level 3 Elite instructor, this along with my own experience I take my boxing clients through 30min training sessions which cover the basic techniques and develop these into complex combos looking at speed and power.
If you’re looking for an excellent cardio session, to develop a new skill or a perfect stress reliever, get in contact with me today and we can get you booked in for your 1st pad work session.
If that sounds like you and you want to join the community, email me at danny@dl-pt.co.uk. To join me for a free trial or assessment and start your fitness journey, just call 07780 116 938 or message direct on Facebook or Instagram. Otherwise, subscribe below for my newsletter.
0 Comments