Ramblings

Boxing for Fitness is For Sissies

admin — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 23:26:09 -0400

If you're one of those people who believe boxing for fitness programs have no place in a boxing gym, for the good of boxing, maybe you need to rethink your opinion. Boxing for fitness programs can be the most important component of any new boxing club or gym, providing the necessary funds and recruitment required to sustain any competitive boxing training program.

To date, I've focused How to Box primarily on the basics and direction for people looking to compete in the sport and have neglected those of you who aren't interested in ever stepping foot in the ring. As the slogan says - "for fitness or competition", I will now be putting more effort into the boxing for fitness aspects of the site.

Much like the boxing tips portion of How to Box, I'm now launching boxing for fitness principles that are going to be focused on general fitness and how boxing can help you achieve your fitness goals whether that is to lose weight, add weight, increase athletic performance, or "insert requirement here". In my opinion, it is extremely important to grow a boxing for fitness culture in addition to cultivating boxers looking to compete both here and in offline clubs.

Are You Thinking of Opening a Boxing Club?

Jennifer Huggins owns
her own boxing and fitness
studio in Toronto.
Photo by ZaNiaC

If anyone out there is contemplating opening a boxing club, then don't scoff at the importance of offering a boxing for fitness program. I know many gym owners that swear by their boxing for fitness curriculum and without it, would not be able to make it financially. A good, well attended boxing for fitness program will bring new boxers into your gym and fund your endeavours to train amateur boxers. Eventually, a small percentage of the boxing for fitness crowd will be converted into full fledged amateur boxers once they get a taste for it. How many will depend on how good your program is.

You see, some people don't want to fight and never will, but they do want the benefits that a boxing workout can provide. They want something different and have no intention of ever sparring with anyone, but the idea of hitting a heavybag or focus mitts, knowing they aren't going to get hit back, is exciting and just what they need to stay motivated for their training program.

Only the best known boxing gyms are strictly boxing gyms. They have built reputations and businesses around popular, successful boxers. Unfortunately for any gym starting out, unless they happen to be promoting one of the top names in boxing, they cannot follow the same business model and succeed.

A Better Boxing Business Model

For a startup boxing club, in my opinion, the best business model is a hybrid type of fitness centre offering various aerobics classes, weight rooms, and so on, in addition to boxing training. These types of gyms cast a wider net, generating more leads and more business that will fuel their boxing program. Focusing only on boxing will lead to stunted gym growth and likely failure. Pinning your hopes on having the next Mike Tyson or Lennox Lewis come walking through your door is not good business sense.

Like any business, it's a numbers game -- the more people that come through the door, the more funding you will have to play with and the better training you can offer your boxers so that, if you're lucky, you'll be able to push some of them to their ultimate potential. In terms of your boxing program, the more people that are in your gym, whether boxing for fitness or other programs, the more chance some of them will eventually end up in your boxing program.

Boxing for Fitness:
catalyst for growth
Photo by hmmlargeart

Boxing for fitness has all the benefits of boxing, but zero of the risk which is why it appeals to a much wider cross section of society -- especially women. While female boxing is a growing sport, traditionally, there hasn't been a lot of interest in watching two women beat each other and consequently, not much desire for women to pursue boxing careers.

With the advent of boxing for fitness classes, Tae Bo, and so on, perceptions are changing and women are realizing that boxing is a lot more than fighting. Personally, I've witnessed a greater interest in boxing by women, fuelled by the benefits of the training and the speed with which the workouts deliver results.

The increase in attention and participation in women's boxing would not have been possible without boxing for fitness programs. These fitness programs have brought boxing out of the dingy, sweaty, dark, dank basements and put it in nice clean modern day facilities. Like it or not, boxing for fitness programs are probably the biggest popularity boost boxing has seen in recent years creating a resurgence in interest in the sport. How boxing gyms hoping to train amateur boxers, use these boxing for fitness programs to grow their stables is the real challenge of gyms today.

Fortunately, boxing tends to be its own best seller. Once people try it, whether it is a boxing for fitness program or a full fledged competition training plan, they are hooked. As long as coaches and trainers understand the mindset of those in each category, there is huge potential to capitalize on both.

For those interested in boxing strictly for fitness, the results speak for themselves. Nothing sissie about six pack abs, powerful muscles, and incredible endurance - or am I wrong?

Age, Politics, and the Boxing Mafia

admin — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 18:15:42 -0400

Last night, I watched two 39 year old boxers on the canvas. One won simply because his competition let him, the other didn't despite the gruelling effort he made against an opponent 15 years younger.

Then, today, I started seeing commentary such as this from Andrew Wake at USA Boxing news:

Quote:

Many people, this reporter included, scoffed early this week when Antonio Tarver told the world that he was still the greatest light-heavyweight fighter out there but, after his stellar display against Clinton Woods in Tampa, Florida this evening, he may well have been telling the truth.

Was he watching the same fight? It wouldn't have mattered who was facing Woods last night, it would be impossible for them not to win. Tarver's performance was hardly stellar -- he just wasn't tested - at all. Woods walked in repeatedly and allowed Tarver to hit him, rarely throwing anything back. Funny thing is that when he did, it connected. I think the fight would have turned out much differently had Woods actually thought he could win the fight.

I'd bet if you looked inside Woods' head last night, he didn't believe he could win that fight long before it started. He was hesitant and cautious, and it cost him.

Glen Johnson, on the other hand, did put on a stellar performance. For a 39 year old, he showed incredible stamina and conditioning. The fight was close, very close, and to have the judges score it 116-112 over Chad Dawson was ludicrous. Johnson knew it and, good for him, spoke his mind in the after fight interview. It's judging like this that leaves fans with that bad taste in the mouth after watching two fighters give it their all for 12 rounds.

Dawson vs Johnson Scorecard:
scan from FightNews.com

Had Dawson won by split decision or at least a margin much closer like 116-115, the politics behind the decision wouldn't have been so obvious, but those judges blatantly pointed out the obvious - that 39 year old Johnson was not going to win the title and they knew it before the fight started. The fight was close enough that a legitimate scoring with Dawson ahead would not have raised such an uproar, but this score makes one wonder whether the judges watched the same fight the rest of us did.

What does this tell us? It tells us, that politics and out of the ring strategy matters as much, if not more than what happens in the ring in professional boxing.

First, there has to be a better way of scoring these fights.

With as much technology that exists in the world today, can boxing not figure out some way of embedding pressure sensitive material in the gloves that register hits inside of certain target areas on their opponents? Is there no possible way of eliminating the subjectiveness from the boxing ring and letting a fight stand on its own merits. Perhaps the computerized scoring used in Olympic style boxing needs to be implemented in professional boxing - although it has problems of its own.

Fights like Johnson's make me wonder whether there is some strategic factor that enters the mind of the judges. After all, Johnson is an older fighter at the end of his career. Were they sending a message that it was time to retire? Did they send the message that boxing is a young man's sport and believe Dawson will be able to bring in a bigger audience and more revenue. He was clearly the favorite to win the fight prior and was being toted as potentially superfight material. Maybe the judges sent the message they did because they believed it was the best thing for boxing...

Don't get me wrong, Dawson boxed well. He was very technical, had great movement, and used his skills to his advantage. I do believe he won that fight, just not by the margin he did.

Antonio Tarver

Then there is the Tarver vs Woods fiasco. Woods lost that fight long before he stepped in the ring. He admitted to being nervous, that this was the biggest fight of his career, and was intimidated by Tarver. Funny thing is, I thought he looked tighter and technically better than Tarver. Tarver threw a lot of sloppy punches and was open a lot, but Woods did not or could not take advantage of any of it. Tarver got to him before the bell and Woods couldn't snap out of it.

I remember sitting there, screaming at Woods inside my head, to get Tarver. Pressure him, move in close and start punching. I was completely frustrated with what I was seeing. It was almost painful to watch, knowing that Woods could be doing so much more, it he'd just let himself do it, but he mentally was not there.

I don't know who Tarver is going to fight next, but there is no way he is in the same class as Hopkins (obviously as result from their matchup) or Calzaghe and it will be an amusing fight if he ever gets a chance at the title winner of their upcoming fight next weekend.

At least with the Tarver vs Woods fight, the scoring was reflective of what happened on the canvas. Funny thing is that the scores were not much worse than what supposedly happened with the Dawson vs Johnson fight (116-112, 117-111, 119-111). How could judges in the second fight score it similarly to what happened in the first fight? Further fuel to the fire that they had no clue what they were watching in the Johnson fight.

For what it's worth, Glen Johnson, I think you fought a spectacular fight and will absolutely watch you again. You bring credit to other boxers your age and prove that 39 year olds can take on those half their age and stand a chance.

Maybe Tarver and Johnson need a matchup? What do you think?

Miscellaneous Ramblings 6/4/08

admin — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 20:00:20 -0400

How to Box Hitting the Street

How to Box is going physical. I'm starting the first offline How to Box boxing club where I currently live, thanks to my profession and the facilities I have available. Starting this coming week, 14 members are currently signed up to start classes. Unlike traditional boxing gyms, a How to Box gym will follow an actual curriculum of sorts. I plan on posting the class outlines. If you're thinking of starting a boxing club or gym (maybe to take advantage of the How to Box fight club), then stay tuned. You can follow my progress, see what works and what doesn't and maybe open a successful How to Box club in your location.

Voting Isn't Just For Elections

Don't know if you've noticed it or not, but some posts, especially the boxing videos have a little voting widget above and below them. If you like what you're reading, take a second and rate the video or article. Gives other readers some indication if they should waste their time reading and/or watching it. I'm sure many readers will thank you for sending them to a good boxing site, for instance.

Anyone Making Any Progress?

Here's a question for you all. Anyone having any success in meeting their fitness goals or learning the sport? A couple of you are using the progress reports, but with over 6350 boxers using the site, there has to be a lot more stories out there. How about sharing how boxing is working into your life? Inspire someone. Just leave a comment - only takes a minute or two.

Recommended Site - East Side Boxing

If you haven't been to East Side Boxing, then you're missing out on some great boxing commentary written by some great boxing and sports writers. If you're finding you have a little too much time in your day, East side can help you waste an hour or two. (By the way, nobody paid me to mention them, I just enjoy reading some of their boxing coverage.)

Want to Make Money Helping Others Get in Shape by Boxing?

admin — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 17:09:47 -0500

Do you have a website, facebook group, facebook account, mybloglog, myspace page, etc..? Do you even just have friends?

Don't you think those friends should learn how to box or maybe they could use an extra intense workout that is incredibly effective, challenging, fun, and guarantees results? You'll be doing them a favour telling them about How to Box.

How would you like to get paid for everyone one of those friends that decides to use the How to Box 12 Week Program?

As of today at 1630hrs, you can sign up for the How to Box affiliate program. I'll pay you approx $16-$26 for each and every person that signs up for the program, AND I'll pay you an additional $4-$6.50 for every person that signs up that is referred by someone you previously referred to the program. If that doesn't make sense, just read on, it will in a minute.

What's a Boxing Affiliate Program?

An affiliate program is a way I can reward you for recommending the 12 week boxing program to other people. Even if you aren't using it yourself, you can still recommend it (although your credibility is not as good). When you signup for an affiliate account (free), you become a partner of How to Box. You become an important part of the site's growth. If How to Box makes money, so do you.

You see, when you signup, you get access to a special area on How to Box that gives you a unique url or pictures and banners to post on your websites, your facebook page, your myspace page, or wherever you want.

When someone clicks one of those links I put a cookie on their computer (completely good, happens to you everyday when you visit sites). That cookie tells me who sent that person to me and if they buy the 12 week program, that cookie tells me to pay you 40% of the purchase price. And guess what, it's good for 90 days, so even if the person you sent to How to Box takes 89 days to make up their mind, on the 90th day, you are still getting the commission if they finally decide to start the program.

So, as an example, look at what you'd make based on the following:

Send 5 people to How to Box who buy at the special price = 79.90
Send 10 people = 159.80
Send 15 people = 239.70
and so on

But that's not all...

What is Second Tier?

If one of those people you referred to the program decides to join this boxing affiliate program as well, I'll give you an additional 10% of any sales they make. In essence, they start to work for you. So, now you're profits could look something like:

5 people you referred = 79.90 + 5 people each of 5 friends referred = 99 = $178.90 -- all for just telling 5 people about the program.

Why Should you Promote The How to Box Program?

For starters, because everyone should learn to box whether it is for the health benefits, for competition, or even for self defence and confidence building. With more and more people in the world losing their health, now is the perfect time to introduce a boxing program that can help all of those people. Even if you don't care about the money you could make doing this, you can make some decent cash for helping others get in shape and I can tell you from experience that that is a worthwhile effort and incredibly fulfilling.

Why else? Because How to Box has been steadily growing for the last three to four years. It gets bigger and better and now people everywhere need to know that the site exists. Boxing can stage a comeback and gain more popularity again, but it takes boxing fans and people to get involved in the sport. I've never met anyone that has tried boxing and thought it was dull and unexciting. Sparking that interest can turn the tides and put boxing back in the mainstream. Let's give the UFC a real fight.

If I have dedicated people out there like yourself promoting the site, I know that great things are going to happen, not only to those who are spreading the message, but to the newcomers to the sport. The 6000 people that currently use the site will explode and so will what I can offer to you as loyal supporters of How to Box.

Here's to a profitable and productive partnership. Sign up for the boxing affiliate program now.

43 Ways To Ensure You Never Become a Championship Boxer

admin — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 10:16:14 -0500

You know you'll never become a successful boxer when:

You train half assed - every training session needs a specific aim and every session needs your complete attention. Don't just go through the motions.
You fight at a weight near the bottom of your weight class - not a definite indicator of mediocrity, but a few pounds (of muscle) between you and your opponent translates into a lot of missed power and force.
You assume the fetal position when the bell rings.
You eat at McDonalds and wash it down with a six pack twenty minutes before your fight.
You have your trainer fill your water bottles with vodka, or other beverage of your choice.
You close your eyes to avoid being hit as if not seeing the punch magically makes it disappear.
You fight with your hands at waist level. Nobody is that fast all of the time.
You turn your back on your opponent - while the match is going on.
You repeatedly throw illegal punches - won't take long for the ref to put an end to your shenanigans.
You think you can tell the ref how to ref - yelling at the ref doesn't do anything for your stature in the ring.
You throw punches after the break.
You use your head to block punches - might work for the first few...
You think cutting off all avenues of escape for yourself, by boxing out of a corner, is a good thing.
You think you can rope a dope your way to a victory.
You tell all your friends, employees, and co-workers to come watch your first fight - the inevitable will happen.
You brag about how great you are to the media - unless you are Floyd Mayweather - you set yourself up for a big fall.
You use any of the Rocky films as your fight strategy.
You challenge someone who is clearly out of your weight and skill level.
You take a fight without having ever trained with a trainer.
You smoke and believe smoking won't affect your performance.
You drink and believe drinking won't affect your performance.
You use drugs or steroids and believe you'll never get caught.
You don't hire a promoter or manager who has the connections to get you good fights.
You believe your promoter actually cares more about you as a boxer than he/she does about making a profit off of you.
You don't create an identity -- something unique to sell.
You don't learn about marketing or branding - cause you need to market and brand yourself.
You don't worry about nutrition and eating right thinking your body will sort out whatever you put into it.
You try to become the champion by doing it all yourself - trainer, manager, promoter, cutman, etc... -- all you.
You think you are above those new to the sport to the point where you will not offer advice -- karma sucks - what goes around comes around.
You bite your opponent's ear off.
You believe your opponent's groin is just another punching bag.
You believe it is a good idea to drop your bodyweight more than 3-5% the day before your fight in order to make weight.
You think a great defense is what will win you a fight.
You think extra fat on your body is good padding.
You can't adapt to what your trainer is telling you you need to adapt to inbetween rounds. Don't be so inflexible with your fight plan that you aren't willing to tweak things.
You don't have a fight plan.
Your chin is as fragile as a china tea cup.
You think brute force will prevail over intelligence.
You think you can force your body to work 7 days a week without rest.
You think training without wraps or gloves is a good way to toughen up your hands.
You think you can participate in multiple sports, have multiple jobs, and an incredibly busy social life -- it's all about focus - prioritize.
You prefer Joe Louis - the snack - over Joe Louis the boxer.
You think getting punch drunk sounds like a good night on the town.

Care to add to the list?

Building Your Boxing Team

admin — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 13:28:49 -0500

Part of the appeal of boxing is that it is an individual sport. Ultimately, you excel or not based solely on your own merit - if you suck you lose, if you don't you win. It all comes down to the individual and there is no blaming one's teammates or circumstances for your loss. It is pretty obvious when you hit the canvas that things haven't gone so well for you. Only you can prevent that in the end.

That said, the champion boxer is by no means alone in his or her quest for glory. Let's take a look at who else is involved:

The Boxing Trainer or Coach

Websites, books, and DVDs like How to Box are great for those who can't afford a trainer or simply don't have access to one because of where they live.

Quote:

To compete at a high level, you need a trainer

However, these means are no substitute for a good trainer and anyone looking to box competitively needs a good trainer to teach them advanced techniques and correct habits you simply can't notice yourself. You can help your own development by videotaping your training sessions and then playing them back, being very critical of yourself, but there is nothing like another pair of eyes watching how you move, twist, punch, bob, etc... You can even upload those training sessions on How to Box and get criticism from visitors of the site. To compete at a high level in the sport, though, you simply need to find a good trainer.

The trainer will develop the boxer's training plan and it will be all inclusive. He will monitor the boxer's progess and make changes as required. He will teach the boxing skills and drills so that the boxer can win fights. Trainers will often have some nutritional knowledge as well, as a comprehensive program involves both conditioning and nutrition. If not, a boxer's team may also include a sports nutritionist to assist with meal planning that will support the boxer's training regime.

The Boxing Promoter

Golden Boy Promotions

Sometimes the promoter and manager is both the same person (not always a good idea), othertimes it is split up. You've probably heard the names of the big promoters - Golden Boy Promotions (Oscar De La Hoya), Top Rank (Bob Arum), and Don King Productions. These are people or organizations that exist to take skilled boxers and line up paying fights for them. They are there first and foremost to make money for themselves. Never forget that. In order to do that, they need to ensure their professional boxers make money. To that end, they will setup fights that will garner a lot of attention with the hopes of increasing the number of pay per view buys or attendance. This does not mean they will always look out for what is in the best interests of the boxers they promote. These are the people responsible for announcing the latest superfight - or the fight of the century (which seems to occur many times a century:).

The Boxing Manager

The boxing manager will tend to the career of the boxer and not necessarily cater to the promoters. Money is obviously still an issue, but they have more of an interest in the long term career of their boxer. That is their source of income and if his career ends because of a stupid matchup, so does the flow of money. You'll often hear of family members managing boxers. The boxer tends to think they can trust their family more than anyone. Of course that has been proven wrong time and time again (Floyd Mayweather Jr for instance).

The Cutman

Dave Tenny - Cutman

Cuts in boxing fights cause bleeding and excessive bleeding and damage will end a fight. Cuts are also inevitable, eventually you will get one, especially in a professional fight without headgear which lessens the chances. A good boxing cutman can literally keep you in a fight.

I'm not going to go into all the methods a cutman uses here, Dave Tenney - The Cutman does a pretty good job of describing those methods, but these people are experts at stopping blood and decreasing swelling. They have an intimate knowledge of the facial structure, arteries, veins. They have an arsenal of drugs and techniques for stopping bleeding. Cutmen are not prevalent in amateur boxing. Amateur boxing requires the use of headgear which prevents a lot of scrapes and cuts, but blood in an amateur match will generally stop the fight. Nosebleeds are an exception depending on the severity.

For must of us, a cutman will not be an option, so remember two things - direct pressure and cold. If you are bleeding, put pressure on it, preferably with something cold. The cold acts as a vaso-constrictor which will assist the pressure with stopping the blood flow. By pressure, I'm not talking about pushing a guys nose through his skull - keep it firm, but not excessive. A minute between rounds is not a long time, but can be enough to allow the clotting to start and the bleeding to stop if you act fast.

One thing to look out for with a cutman is if he is using something called Monsels Solution. It is a lead based homeostatic which works by destroying the cells around the cut (kind of like cotterizing or burning them closed). It causes permanent damage and you can recognize it by the ring of dead flesh surrounding the cut. Yes, it works, but the cost is too great and it is illegal (or should be) in most areas.

The Second

Ever hear the ref shout - "Seconds Out" just before a round begins. They are referring to the Second (and anyone else in the boxer's corner). The trainer can also be licensed as a second (and often is) and acts in both capacities, but a licensed second is someone who is allowed in the ring between rounds to give advice, water, etc... to the boxer. They generally assist the trainer in the boxer's corner.

The Boxer is Not Alone...

Those are the main teammates backing up the boxer. All of the positions require (at least in the US) licensing by the state they are operating in.

It's funny, because in the Army it generally takes a HQ that is 3-4 times as big as the fighting force to win a battle. For every infantry soldier on the frontlines there are 10 people in the rear supporting that soldier doing everything from preparing food, pushing bullets and supplies forward, dealing with medical issues, pers issues, and so on. It is the same for boxing. You can think of the boxer like one of those soldiers and it quickly becomes apparent that although the boxer is fighting alone in the ring, he has a massive support system that is ensuring all he has to worry about is fighting. Everything else will be taken care of.

So, if you are planning a professional boxing career, start surrounding yourself with people you trust that will specialize in these areas. Remain too much of an individual and you will go no where -- build a team with the foundation of support and there will be no stopping you.

Fit vs Fat - The Obesity Epidemic in Perspective

admin — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 06:46:02 -0500

I don't know about you, but I for one, am sick and tired of hearing about the obesity epidemic - if people want to get fat, then let them get fat, unhealthy and die. It's natural selection at its best. Those of us that give a damn about ourselves shouldn't have to put up with all the whining and complaining and increased taxes and premiums these selfish SOBs are going to cause us when they start having their McDonald's induced heart attacks and insurance covered stomach stapling procedures.

It seems you can't turn on the TV, listen to the radio, or walk down the street without hearing about the obesity epidemic that is going to kill more people than the plague. Second only to smoking, obesity is the new killer that seems to have come out of nowhere and suddenly everyone is fat and our health care system is not equipped to deal with the complications of the added load (pun intended).

Do You Not Agree With Me?

Is there really an
obesity epidemic?
Picture from Weight.com

Before I get flamed by a million fat advocates, let's consider for a second a few opinions that are floating around out there:

Why Fit People Think Fat People are Fat

1. Get real - the biggest reason is laziness. Fat people are just too damn lazy to drag themselves to a gym or go for a run. The only effort they expend is waddling down the stairs, plopping on the couch and lifting their flabby arms to their mouths to stuff a month's supply of bonbons down range - more than most of us will eat in a lifetime. After all, we've all seen the before and after pictures of thousands of people who have put in the hard work - if they can do it, why can't Bob.

2. If it isn't laziness - then it's lack of will. Fat people have no mind, no possible way of keeping their mouth shut and their plump little fingers out of the cookie jar. Hell, once you're fat, you turn into one of those zombies from the night of the living dead and constantly have to feed. It's like the fat replaces your brain. They know it's bad for them to eat yet another helping of pudding, but they do it anyways, cause the little fat army they have accumulated is taking over their mind.

3. It it isn't lack of will, then it's low self esteem. Fat people are losers and they know it. They'd kill themselves if it wasn't for the fact that they can't drag their sorry butts off the sofa, so next best thing is to eat themselves to death. That way the insurance will still pay. At very least they'll feel good while they are putting away that pound of Rocky Road - feeding those little fat cells struggling to multiply.

4. If it isn't low self esteem, then it's because society accepts it. Everyone's fat, we're all getting fatter, so it must be okay. Skinny people are the devil spawn - how dare they take care of the bodies God gave them. Fat people are the new world order and the fatter you get, the higher up on the pecking order you'll be. Fat is sexy, fat is okay. Just be happy with your bodies no matter how much flab is hanging off your gut. Society says its good to be you - enjoy life and screw the consequences.

Why Fat People Think They are Fat

1. It's all in the genes. They have no control over it. They woke up one day and broke the friggin scale because the mysterious fat gene suddenly kicked in and turned off their metabolism. No matter how much exercise or diet control they muster, it doesn't matter because that little fat gene is manufacturing more fat in a day than they could ever lose in a year.

2. Because society and big business is against them. How can you possibly resist stopping in at each and every McDonald's on the way home or grabbing a coffee and doughnut at each and every doughnut shop you pass. If we weren't supposed to eat that crap, society wouldn't have put it in front of our faces. Who can resist the advertising - brainwashing us all the time to grab a Whopper at 3 am.

3. Because they don't have the time or money. Yet they can spend more than small countries make on fast food and Doritos. They think it takes 2 hours a day to exercise and another 15 to prepare healthy meals. If they could fight their way out from under their diet soda, they'd see it just ain't so.

Why I think Fat People are Fat and the Obesity Epidemic is Picking up Steam...

In reality, it isn't any of those things by itself. Ross Enamait hit the nail on the head recently saying obese isn't always lazy. Sometimes it comes down to misinformation and priorities. People don't know how easy it really is to lose weight and get in shape. All of the hype and weight loss diets and technical crap floating around does nothing but confuse people and result in fitness paralysis. So, it is up to those of us that know better to clue the obese in.

Second, people do not put enough priority on maintaining their health and staying in shape. They take it for granted. They feel healthy enough and the changes that occur over time to render them unhealthy with clogged arteries and 100lbs of extra weight straining their skeletal system - happen so gradually as to go unnoticed. One can never really say they don't notice the extra weight and reduced energy, but comparatively, it isn't until someone they haven't seen in a while says something or they see an old picture that they suddenly realize they are putting on weight.

This boils down to priority. In a busy life with kids and a job and a million other activities, the thing that gets put on the back burner is our health. We all think that it would be selfish to set aside an hour a day for exercise if it means cutting back on an hour we could have spent taking our kids to some activity or putting in that little extra effort at work.

Well, let me clue you in. There will always be extra work or activity that will trump your exercise time, if you don't make it a priority. Lump exercise right up there with things you have to do so you don't get fired or have your kids taken away and suddenly there is time to do it.

Quite frankly, it is selfish to not exercise and eat right. You are taking away enhanced productivity from your boss, taking away energy and vitality and life from your kids, and you are disrespecting your spouse by letting it all go. As if this wasn't enough incentive to set better priorities, look to God. He gave you the temple you live in and by abusing it, you are violating his trust.

You are hopefully learning about the benefits and techniques to use boxing as a means to keeping in shape and not becoming one of the statistics. If you are, you have a duty to clue in as many fat people as you can find. Befriend them and pull them into your boxing club. Get them started on a better lifestyle and change their lives.

Do I really believe what I put at the beginning of this article? In part, yes, it makes me mad to think people will abuse themselves all their lives and then expect the rest of us to pay for it. On the other hand, I realize that people are unique and everyone has a situation and circumstances. I don't ignore those facts, but I also believe anyone and everyone can do something about their circumstances -- it is just about a wilingness to act.

So, take it upon yourself to introduce everyone you know to the benefits of boxing. Become an ambassador for the sport and show people the good it can do in their lives. Without ambassadors, boxing is doomed to decline. With people like yourself promoting it, it will thrive forever.

From Weakling to Warrior

admin — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 17:03:57 -0500

So, I walked into a boxing gym. It was exactly as I had imagined - dim lighting, ring in the middle, assorted bags hanging from exposed rafters, smelling of sweat and leather. Bewildered, nervous, and fighting feelings to flee, I looked for the manager while trying to avoid eye contact with the monsters in there smashing their fists against whatever they could.

I was thinking the whole time "Don't look them directly in the eye", as if the other boxers were rabid dogs waiting to tear me apart. I could almost feel them looking at me and saying to one another "more fresh meat."

Because that's what fighters do. Every person is a potential opponent. You enter their territory and their first thoughts rank you as a potential threat. I guarantee I did not even make a blip on their threat radars, with the level of confidence I had walking into that place.

The Lion's Den
Photo by Miserable Moo

Eventually I found the manager who was with the head trainer. Unbelievably, they both looked like they were right out of a Rocky movie. Every stereotype and idea I had about boxing gyms was coming true right in front of my eyes. Next thing you know, I'd be in the ring, and then carried out on a stretcher.

Up to this point, I had been in one fight in my life and it didn't go good for me. So, to walk into this gym felt like walking unarmed into a den of lions. To say I was unprepared for what was about to happen is an understatement.

I feebly explained to the manager that I wanted to learn how to box. He had seen it all before, took my $30, and threw me a couple of handwraps which he eventually showed me how to put on after I spent the next few minutes trying to figure out what the hell to do with them.

Like it or not, a lot of boxing gyms have pecking orders. It was particularly obvious in this gym. Trainers will train people they think they can develop into champions and until you prove yourself, you are nothing. Like neglected children, you will fight for time and attention or fade into the background.

And then I joined the class...

People were civil, but there was tension. It was undeniable and obvious that all eyes were on me as I went through the motions. All those rabid dogs were looking for mistakes, weakness, strengths. They knew at some point, they would be standing across from me in the ring -- and anticipated the inevitable moment when they would devour me.

Incredibly, they got their chance a lot sooner than expected. That same day in fact, the trainer strapped boxing gloves on me for the first time in my life and put me in the ring against a seasoned boxer. To say I didn't know what I was doing is generous. I had no clue how to defend myself.

I didn't last a round and any confidence I had that I wanted to learn boxing was knocked completely out of me. Bleeding and sore, I climbed out of the ring after the trainer put an end to the sparring session.

I was pissed off, angry and resentful. What the hell was he thinking putting me in the ring that first day. I came there to learn, not to fight... and that's about the time I realized what had happened.

Wait a Minute...

I walked into that gym, that den of fighters, with the intentions of learning and training, but I had no intention of fighting. I did not walk into that gym as a warrior. I walked in submissive and defeated long before I ever got in the ring. He could have put me up against Pee Wee Herman and the outcome would have been the same. For the first time in my life, I felt that warrior spirit. The instinct to flee was gone. It was replaced by self directed anger and an intense desire to get back in the ring and actually fight - to prove myself to this man who arbitrarily decides who is going to make it and who isn't.

I stayed in that gym for three hours after the end of that first session and watched the trainer with the "chosen" boxers, showing them techniques and drills. They were the accepted boxers. The ones who had a shot. I stood next to the ring in plain view staring him down, daring him to say something, daring him to invite me back into the ring.

It never happened. The adrenaline eventually subsided and I went home, but the next time I walked into that gym, the story starts differently. I walked in sizing up the other boxers. I longed for eye contact. I longed for the chance to get across from someone - anyone. Win or Lose. I walked into that gym with intentions of fighting, not just to train and learn.

That trainer took a scared kid with no focus and in one session gave him the desire to become a warrior. I will be forever thankful for that.

Is Wii Boxing the Same as Real Boxing?

admin — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 20:27:05 -0500

Will learning to box improve your performance at Wii boxing?

In a nutshell - maybe YES.

As if the thrill of boxing wasn't enough to convince you to take up the sport, now you have the Nintendo Wii to give you that little extra push. (if you can find one) Ever since the Wii showed up and I started seeing Chinese people attempting to box on Youtube, I've been curious as to whether someone with boxing skill would do better than someone with no boxing skill at Wii boxing. You can even buy Wii boxing gloves to make it that much more realistic.

Unfortunately I don't have the definitive answer for you as I don't have a Wii. But some research into Wii boxing did provide some interesting thoughts that allows me to make a good guess. The game depends on four things: timing, acceleration, positioning, and movement which, remarkably, are similar to skills you need to know in real boxing.

Punching power is guaged on three levels and from what I can tell, the makers of Wii boxing actually programmed some real boxing techniques into the game. By using boxing basics, it is conceivable that you will do better in the game.

Enter to win a Wii
(cause you can't find one anywhere)

For instance, you are not allowed to throw another punch until you have completely finished the movement required for the first punch. If you jab and do not fully bring your hand back to the guard position, Wii boxing thinks the punch is still in progress and will not respond to another punch - there is a delay during which your opponent can smack you around.

Improper technique has prompted a few arguments complaining that Wii boxing is not responsive enough, however, from what I've read it seems that people just haven't been using the correct movements with the controllers. Once they learn a few boxing basics - how to punch, dodge, and move, then suddenly Wii boxing is a lot more fun.

A couple of other comparisons:

Hooks - not realistic. To initiate a hook in Wii boxing, you simply move the controller across you in a straight line - not the boxing hook motion.

Movement - realistic. Especially if you are holding the controllers in a proper stance. Angling both to the left will make you slip left, angle both forward and you duck, angle both back and you lean back. You could cheat and do this with your wrists, but if you want the full boxing effect hold your guard up and move your torso to get the movements.

Straight punches - very touchy. While you can control the punch angle on the fly, start out by practicing perfectly straight punches. Should do wonders for your jab.

My wife and kids have been bugging me to buy a Wii for a while now. This research into Wii boxing is probably exactly what I needed to convince me to give it a try. However, I'd be very interested in hearing what others have experienced with it. Do you have a Wii? What do you think of Wii boxing?

Sunday Night Boxing Roundup

admin — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 21:14:58 -0500

Jack Dempsey vs Jess Willard - 1919

I've never quite seen a boxing match end so badly for someone as it did for Willard in this 1919 boxing match. He suffered plenty of injuries - broken cheekbone, jaw, missing teeth, broken ribs. Funny thing is that he wouldn't stay down. All I can say is ouch and thanks for the evolution of boxing safety.

Roy Jones vs Felix Trinidad

In case you missed the fight - shame on you, Chuck saves the day, however, and posted the full Jones vs Trinidad fight over on Sportaphile is your saviour. Knockdowns in rounds seven and ten. I won't tell you who won no matter how much I want to spoil it for you right now...

Knockout of the Night

There's always something fascinating about watching a punch connect that drops a boxer instantly. Even more fascinating when it knocks him out of the ring...

Boxing and Steroids

Could this be the beginning of a boxing steroid scandal? Hate to let baseball have all the fun.

Have a good night - check back tomorrow for a brand new boxing tip.