It's on.

I've got heinous allergies but **** it, I've been training anyway. The adrenaline pushes it aside. The bout is on Saturday (next Saturday) -- I'm going to train every day up until this Thursday as I have been, take Friday off altogether (Friday is usually a weightlifting day, anyway) and do some light work in the boxing gym on Saturday afternoon. My fight is at about 8 PM.

My opponent is smaller than me -- he's at the small side of middleweight (155) at about 5'6" and I'm at the big side of middleweight (165) at 5'9". We're both aggressive, southpaws, and brawlers who like infighting. He's been training for about a year; I've been training for 6 of the last 8 months (six-week break this summer due to work -- I kept up with the weights and roadwork but only hit the gym 3 times in those 6 weeks :nonono: ) He doesn't train as often as I do -- he says he only trains a couple times a week. Our trainers think we're pretty evenly matched. It should be a lot of fun.

This is an inter-gym thing, USA Boxing rules (16 oz gloves, headgear, etc.), three 1-minute rounds, full contact. There shall be video, and I shall post.

Thanks, everybody, for everything.

luck pal hope everything goes well 4 you and dont forget to mentally prepare yourself also because remember boxing is also 50% mental:boxing:

Sparred with my upcoming opponent yesterday. Learned some interesting stuff. Primarily, he's a powerlifter who's boxing to "get cut." Which explains why he's only 10 lbs. lighter than me at his height, which may be closer to 5'4". He's very fast and hits exceptionally well: hard enough for me to be wary of actual injuries. His technique is not so great, though. His footwork is awkward going backwards, and long combos get through after the third or fourth punch. I'm the better boxer. Which ain't saying a lot; I'm still a noob by most standards -- I've just put more time into it.

The irony is, he was doing to me what I generally do to taller boxers -- bulldozing, throwing heavy punches to make me hesitate (don't wanna catch one of those left crosses square on -- one of his punches literally had me seeing stars), and doing all that tricky southpaw stuff: parries, swats, moving to the "wrong" side. All the things I count on as a short, brawling southpaw to make a bigger guy uncomfortable, he's throwing right back at me. And he's fearless: I bloodied his lip with a solid left and he didn't even blink, just growled and came right back at me.

It should be a good match. I'll post video when it's over.

sounds like mike tyson lol

I Always Hate Fighting Another Brawler, Usualy Ends Up With Heabuts And Cuts. When I Face Somebody With A Similiar Style As My Own, I Try To Box A Little More. Become A Little More Boxer/puncher. And Tend To Focus On Defense, Highlighting Counterpunches. What Has Your Trainer Sugested You Use As A Strategy?
Good Work Coming As Far As You Have I've Read Some Of Your Other Posts. You Put In The Work Sound Like You Have The Guts. Now Is The Easy Part.

What Has Your Trainer Sugested You Use As A Strategy?

Staying back, being patient, not giving him the opportunity to counterpunch. Part of his speed is his God-given ability to counterpunch. Throwing as hard as he does, he telegraphs; his counters, though, are wicked -- he's 15 years younger than me so his reflexes are far superior. Also, since he's almost 6" shorter than me, I tend to lean into him (and over him), and I need to not do that. That's the "Uppercut Route to Canvas City," especially as hard as he hits.

I found that if I can chain together more than 3-4 punches, his defense goes to pieces; unfortunately, I have trouble throwing a combo that long without opening myself up. I was working a long combo when he rang my bell. This week most of my practice will be shadowboxing, working out longer combos and tightening my defense.

And I can understand what you mean about fighting brawlers. This is gonna hurt like hell.

Staying back, being patient, not giving him the opportunity to counterpunch. Part of his speed is his God-given ability to counterpunch. Throwing as hard as he does, he telegraphs; his counters, though, are wicked -- he's 15 years younger than me so his reflexes are far superior. Also, since he's almost 6" shorter than me, I tend to lean into him (and over him), and I need to not do that. That's the "Uppercut Route to Canvas City," especially as hard as he hits.

I found that if I can chain together more than 3-4 punches, his defense goes to pieces; unfortunately, I have trouble throwing a combo that long without opening myself up. I was working a long combo when he rang my bell. This week most of my practice will be shadowboxing, working out longer combos and tightening my defense.

And I can understand what you mean about fighting brawlers. This is gonna hurt like hell.

THE PROB I HAVE IS THE HEADBUTS. I LIKE TO SLIP W/MY FIRST MOVE SLIDE IN QUICK AND EXPLODE W/ HOOKS AND UPPERCUTS. PROB IS A LOT OF BRAWLERS LIKE TO TRY TO TEE OFF WITH THERE FIRST MOVE AGAINST ME AND CRACK TWO HEADS COLIDE. I USUALY GET THE BETTER OF IT THOUGH.
IF YOU GOT SIX INCHES ON HIM WHY NOT FIGHT TALLER. I'M UNDERSTANDING THE PREVIOUS CONVO WE HAD ABOUT YOUR STYLE A WHILE BACK. FROM WHAT YOU SAY IT SHOULD BE A GOOD BRAWL, THING IS "FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD" WHEN YOU HAVE TWO FIGHTERS SIMILIAR IN SKILL FATE LOOKS KINDLY UPON THE STRONGER MORE CONDITIONED GUY. HOW DO YOU THINK YOU FARE? IT MAY JUST COME TO HEART. DO YOU HAVE THE HEART TO TAKE THE BIG SHOTS AND STILL GIVE EM?
JUST A THOUGHT

HOW DO YOU THINK YOU FARE?

He's probably physically stronger than I am on all counts. And he certainly hits harder. Which is remarkable because I can hit really damned hard or so I'm told. I am far better-conditioned, however. He had to go through the 60-minute pre-sparring workout with the rest of us, and he was dying on his feet. I am also, I believe, a better all-around boxer. It's going to be a very good fight.

IT MAY JUST COME TO HEART. DO YOU HAVE THE HEART TO TAKE THE BIG SHOTS AND STILL GIVE EM?

I don't know. But I'll sure as hell find out.

He's probably physically stronger than I am on all counts. And he certainly hits harder. Which is remarkable because I can hit really damned hard or so I'm told. I am far better-conditioned, however. He had to go through the 60-minute pre-sparring workout with the rest of us, and he was dying on his feet. I am also, I believe, a better all-around boxer. It's going to be a very good fight.



I don't know. But I'll sure as hell find out.

this will be a good fight for u to work on your defense, practice slipping and sliding away from is punches, u'll be able to see them coming a mile away. also, use your better skills, i'd keeep this guy on the outside where he can't get off a big power shot. especially, try hard not to get hit too much in the early rounds, when his power is the strongest. i think he'll tire out faster than u, when he starts getting tired, beat him up with fast combinations to the head and body

He's probably physically stronger than I am on all counts. And he certainly hits harder. Which is remarkable because I can hit really damned hard or so I'm told. I am far better-conditioned, however. He had to go through the 60-minute pre-sparring workout with the rest of us, and he was dying on his feet. I am also, I believe, a better all-around boxer. It's going to be a very good fight.

There's the answere for the W, Gonna have to make him tire out. It doesn't take long for a guy who is trying to drop bombs thewhole time w/o the proper conditioning to puch himself out. I'd punish his body I mean punish and make him work hard. pace myself and throw the 5-6 punch combo's. I'd bet it would be easy to get him out of his mental game by exhausting him. His hands will come down and then he gets a taste of your power.
better conditioned guy wins.


I don't know. But I'll sure as hell find out.

was a trick question. It's a mental game moreso than a physical one. Can't panik if you get hurt. Can't get to excited if you hurt him. Got to push past what you think is your limt. Got to have heart a lot of heart. And leave everything in the ring. I mean everything.

leave everything in the ring. I mean everything.

I've heard this saying before. What does it mean?

I've heard this saying before. What does it mean?

i think it means what tommy gallagher was screaming at stevie forbes in one of the contender fights - " empty the tank! "

i think it means give it all u got, don't hold nothing back

Hey Fraidy am sure ur coach will give u the best advise how to fught this guy but i thought i would tell u m8 not to give up ur extra height, make him work to come in close enough to get his shots off. Lots of straight punches on ur behalf,good use of the jab hard straight rights, and dont lean in to much like u would when ur fighting taller guys and when he gets close tie him up. If hes a counter puncher(i think i read that u said he was a believe) make sure u always get the last shot in the exchange.

Also concentrate on staying in the middle of the ring ansd way from the ropes. Ur fitter than he is so set the pace and temp beyond his ability. MAKE HIM FEEL THE CAT MEEEAWWWWWW.

Leave every thing in the ring means having nothing left when u come out the ring. Give it everything u got and then some.

Scuttlebutt around the gym today is, it'll be three, 2-minute rounds this time. Changes the game quite a bit if it's true; the difference in our physical conditioning -- namely, me being in far better shape -- would play a much greater role over three 2-minute rounds than three 1-minute rounds.

Good luck FraidyCat, Im sure that you will make us proud.......Rockin':boxing:

Heading out in one hour. Stretching, massaging, trying to relax. Stomach's OK but I can't quit grinding my jaw. :nonono:

Heading out in one hour. Stretching, massaging, trying to relax. Stomach's OK but I can't quit grinding my jaw. :nonono:

u should be good. just do that combo i was talking about in the pm. trust me with his hand extended just from throwing a punch hurry and counter and put your legs into it

Do not massage your muscles anytime close to the bout!..........Rockin':boxing:

Do not massage your muscles anytime close to the bout!..........Rockin':boxing:


yeah i heard thats a bad thing from that tommy hearns vs. hagler legendary nights on hbo

yeah i heard thats a bad thing from that tommy hearns vs. hagler legendary nights on hbo

Kronks Pr man told me a similar story way back in like 86-87. He was way involved with kronk. He told me the story as we drove to myrtyle beach for a vacation. He took me with him for sparring for his son. We threw for about 20 seconds and he called it off, we would have trashed the room. But yeah, Manny was PISSED!

Rockin':boxing:

Interesting. Stopping the massaging. Why, pray tell?

Would you take a muscle relaxer before a fight?

Rockin':boxing:

Massaging your muscles causes them to stretch prematurely and fill/drain blood. This causes inadvertent muscle fatigue. You don't want that. Keep yourself clothed in long sleeves/pants to stay loose, and throw some wicked punches. Good luck.

Wow. I never thought of it that way. I massage my muscles throughout my workouts, between rounds when I'm sparring, between sets when I'm lifting. Never thought about it. I've been doing it for years. Wow.

I will have about 90 minutes in the dojo next to our boxing gym, before my fight. I'm taking some fruit and some Gatorade, a couple of Tums and some Imodium, in my bag. Plus, my rope. How should I approach the warm-up? I'm thinking skipping rope, maybe some light sparring with someone else back there, pushups, stretching. Nothing too major, and just to get pumped but not tired.

All of that is perfect except the rope. If your going to be up on your toes in the actual boxing setting, you DONT want to get fatigued mid-fight because your calves gave out. You adrenaline will be super high for the first round-and-a-half, but you might lose a little and you want to be fresh. Your warmup and fruit/gatorade sounds perfect, just replace rope with a little jogging in place.

Well, I did it. Three rounds. Non-scored, but consensus is I owned his ass. At the last minute before the fight, the ref came to me telling me that we were only to do straight punches. ?? :ugh:

He came out heavy right away, getting in close and looking to put me away. I outboxed him, out endured him, and rocked him across the ring half a dozen times, including once in the third round when I switched to orthodox for a few punches and pummeled him back about five steps with an overhand right. :owned: For my part, I have chipmunk cheeks -- the ****er could HIT! -- and my right eye has a scratch on it, a long red hematoma that's probably from my own glove. And my neck hurts, and my jaw keeps popping.

It was a brawl. Nothing pretty, no great technical boxing, just two strong guys trying to take each other out. Exactly what I signed up for. I don't know that I ever want to do it again, but that may change in a few days.

I'll post video when I get some. There were a couple of people videotaping so I imagine I'll have video in the next week or so.

G'night.

well done man. cant wait to see the video. i take it you know what leaving everything in the ring means now :)

Well done man lol!

Grats Fraidy. I want to see it, too!

Aftermath:

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/Fraid_E_cat/oct0820061.jpg

I'll post video when I get it.

Aftermath:

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/Fraid_E_cat/oct0820061.jpg

I'll post video when I get it.

nice little souvenir you got there, i always like getting marked a bit, gives your face character. :boxing:

Have you lost weight, fraidy? I remember from past pics you're face looked alot chubbier. Nice work.

nice little souvenir you got there, i always like getting marked a bit, gives your face character.

Yeah, I'll have some "character" for some time, as my nose is probably broken. My best friend's wife is a nurse and diagnosed it from the pic. It didn't even bleed last night. Not much can be done, she says. I've got a scratch on the underside of my right eyeball, a big red line, that doesn't show up in the pic. They had a field day with me at church this morning. :banana:

Kinda shows you how reliant he was on that overhand left, huh?

Have you lost weight, fraidy? I remember from past pics you're face looked alot chubbier. Nice work.

Yes, big-time. I was 163 for the fight, down about ten lbs. from the last pic I posted. Thanks for noticing. :kiss:

Yeah, I'll have some "character" for some time, as my nose is probably broken. My best friend's wife is a nurse and diagnosed it from the pic. Not much can be done, she says. It didn't even bleed last night. I've got a scratch on the underside of my right eyeball, a big red line, that doesn't show up in the pic. They had a field day with me at church this morning. :banana:

Kinda shows you how reliant he was on that overhand left, huh?

Consider is a badge of honor. Also consider using your eyes more on the shots....... never seen one so filled in like, so precise that being from an amatuer boxing match. Whats your weight and what ounce gloves were used for the match?



Rockin':boxing:

Consider is a badge of honor. Also consider using your eyes more on the shots....... never seen one so filled in like, so precise that being from an amatuer boxing match. Whats your weight and what ounce gloves were used for the match?

I'm a middleweight, I weighed in at 163 lbs. He was 155. We were using big 16 oz. gloves but he kept driving my right thumb into my eye with that ****ing left of his. He probably whacked me with it 20 or 30 times -- if you look close, you can see that it's an amalgamation of many small bruises in a pattern around my eye and up the side of my nose -- all of that is where I rest my thumb, with my knuckles over my eyebrow, looking through the "hole." I think the thumb is what scraped the underside of my eyeball, too. I'm gonna look like a ****ing raccoon for the next week.

If I see him again, I'll compliment him on his precision. :slap: In the meantime, I need to work on my slipping. :boxing:

The video is on Hi-8, so I need to figure out how to copy it and then find someone to digitize it. I watched it tonight at the gym. Damn. Big punches.

Someone watching over my shoulder said, "That is some of the worst boxing -- but one of the best fights -- I think we've ever seen at one of these."

My form was great for the first ten seconds or so, until the first time he came at me. Then it all went out the window and it was just cover up, let him punch himself out, then knock him across the ring. Then he'd come at me again like a little terrier, I'd cover up, he'd punch himself out, and then I'd jab him back and club him with the left until he had nowhere to go. . . and then he'd come at me again, and on and on. Six solid minutes of this, pretty much. I quit weaving and slipping once I realized he had only one real trick in his arsenal and that it couldn't hurt me much if I just stayed covered, and saved my energy to pound him into the canvas between flurries. Ugly fight. Real ugly fight.

I do hope he's not hurt. I landed some serious punches.

Gimme a few days to figure out how to transfer this over, and I'll put the video up if you still want to see it.

Can't wait to see the video, I love a good brawl. Reading this makes me want to train again in a big way!

Can't wait to see the video, I love a good brawl.

Who doesn't? But I'm gonna get ****ing crucified by the actual boxers on this site when they see it. I'll post it anyway once I get it, though. :crucified

I'll probably give you a good reaming, fraidy, lol. But I'm going to try to get my first fight up also, so you can return the favor.

**** em man, most of them are like that and stick up for defensive boxers because because they don't like pain. Anyone can say "hey it's just smart to avoid punishment" but sometimes you just need to go into the mouth of the beast and rip his ****ing heart out, you know? Who would you rather be, Jack Dempsey or Tommy Gibbons? Rocky Marciano or Roland LaStarza? Mike Tyson or Michael Spinks?

**** em man, most of them are like that and stick up for defensive boxers because because they don't like pain. Anyone can say "hey it's just smart to avoid punishment" but sometimes you just need to go into the mouth of the beast and rip his ****ing heart out, you know? Who would you rather be, Jack Dempsey or Tommy Gibbons? Rocky Marciano or Roland LaStarza? Mike Tyson or Michael Spinks?


yeah for real. and nine times out of ten itll only be the guys who would never post n e of there own stuff up giving you heaps. however some guys will actually give good constructive criticism, kid achilles for one, so keep an ear out. cant wait to watch it.