I walked into the gym today and my trainer came up to me and said I could have my first amateur fight in 3 weeks - April 23rd. Well, I was excited and then I realized I am having my surgery on the 12th which means I can't get hit in the face for at least 6 weeks after that.
The option of postponing the surgery is always there, but that would mean waiting at least 5-6 months before I could get it scheduled again. Plus I'm leaving the area for 3 months this summer (luckily I've already found a boxing club where I'm going). Well, in the end, I told him I'd let him know by Monday.
Today's workout was great. I donned the headgear and the 16oz gloves and for the first "real" time, entered the ring and sparred 2 minute rounds with a couple of other guys at the gym. The results of those fights (one in particular) helped me to make up my mind on the amateur fight issue. I'm simply not ready.
I think every boxer has to be completely honest with themselves, be objective and take a serious look at their skill level before committing to a fight which is going "on the record". Not that ever have any aspirations of becoming a pro boxer, but if I did, losses on the amateur record probably do not get you title shots in the pros. Even so, I prefer to know beyond a doubt that I have the necessary skills and conditioning to win every fight I enter. I am still learning things and don't feel I have enough skill under the belt as I want. Last thing I need is to get paired up with someone who does have that skill. While I'm sure I'd learn a lot from the fight, as sometimes people learn best from the mistakes they make, the end result is not worth it to me yet. I want to win and I need the technical skills to do it.
When I fight I have a nasty habit of walking straight in and getting right up close and personal. Doing so means I take a hell of a beating until I get within striking distance. I really need to work on my technical game. To that end, this surgery is probably my saving grace. As I will be unable to spar and go all out, it really only leaves some technical work on the pads and conditioning.
So, for the next 5-6 months I will be perfecting myself technically and physically. It will mean hell for whoever I end up in the ring with in the fall, but it is going to be great for my confidence in the ring. Today's bouts landed me a bruised eye and one damn sore jaw. I caught way too many right hooks to the head. Thank Jesus for the headgear. Anyways, my experiences today have inspired me to post an article on the injuries boxers can sustain. I hope you find it a pleasant read. (I'll post the link to it as soon as I finish it.)
Until next time, keep boxing.
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