Page 11 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 19

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What It Takes To Be A Good Boxer And What To

Expect From A Boxing Club

By Jorge Luis People picture two boxers who hate have to take direction from your trainer, for goals, sets goals, and takes their
each other and want to cause each other and that translates into a special kind of mind, body and soul as far as they
pain. People think of boxing as anger trust and respect that is sorely lacking can. Amazing things can happen then.
and rage, and “fighting” is violence. among today’s youth. They become contenders in life and

But that’s not what boxing is about, Boxing is fi rst, last and foremost about champions in life.
at least not to boxers who’s heads are discipline, and if a kid doesn’t have If you visit a boxing club, the kids there
screwed on right, which is most of that or isn’t willing to learn it, he or she aren’t looking to break heads. They are
them. Boxers don’t hate their opponents won’t last in the sport. looking to test themselves against others
any more than tennis players or chess Many boxers come from very poor who are as ambitious and determined as
players, or hockey players hate their circumstances, and some have been in they are. They want to be champions;
rivals. Yes, boxing is physical, yes it’s trouble with the law, or were headed in they are doing something they love and
a full contact sport, but boxers expect that direction. They are what society are willing to pour their heart and soul
this and are trained for it. calls “at risk” kids. It’s natural to into it, exhausting themselves day after
Boxing is fair and just because each think that these kinds of people bring day, to be the best they can be! They

participant chose to play this game of an unsavory reputation to the sport. help each other out too, giving advice,
their own free will, using a strict set of But it’s just the opposite. Life is support and encouragement
rules. about choices and taking advantage of The respect in a boxing gym is
The point is not to maim or humiliate opportunities. Some of us have more enormous. Each boxer shows respect,
the opponent, although knockouts than others. Boxing gives kids who admiration and appreciation for the
are part of the game. As a matter of cannot play other sports that require hard work and for those who choose to
often get asked what does it take fact, anger and unchanneled rage work money and facilities a chance. Boxing climb into the ring. For some kids it’s
I to be a good boxer? A boxer does
against a boxer. It isn’t personal: it’s two provides that. It provides discipline, the only respect and applause they have
not need big muscles, a boxer needs athletes doing their jobs. Watch what direction, mentoring, and an outlet ever gotten in their lives.
balance, speed, reflexes, but most of all

happens at the end of a boxing match. for youthful energy. They may never Respect, dedication and devotion.
a boxer needs character. The character The two boxers hug each other, shake challenge for a title of any kind, but What’s not to smile about? Puts boxing
to never give up, always have hope, to hands, and the corners shake hands. they become contenders. What is a in a different light, doesn’t it?

persevere against the odds. A boxer
There is respect and admiration. You contender? A contender is the person Yours in boxing and sport
needs to believe in themselves and hear comments like “great fight”, and who is willing to work hard, sacrifi ce Jorge Luis

in their trainer. If the boxer does not “good job.” That’s not the behavior of
believe in themselves no one else will. men who blew up and fought in a bar or

Great fighters believe no one can beat a parking lot. Boxing teaches mutual
them, and have a coach and trainer
respect.
ready to give his / her time and get Boxing is played out and sanctioned
the competition to develop the boxer. under clear and time-honoured rules,
The trainer is the boxer’s best and only against an opponent who chooses to
friend and ally when the boxer is alone enter the contest voluntarily.
in the ring. www.acecomputerservices.ca
I don’t want to sound naïve; while you
Presents...
How long does it take to be a good can win a bout on points, the ultimate Presents...
boxer? I have had young men become victory is a knockout. Surprisingly,
provincial champions at novice level there are few serious injuries in boxing. Rookie of the Month
in less than a year, (novice is 10 bouts There are more concussions and injuries
or less) but to develop a good national in football and hockey than in boxing.
level amateur boxer takes four– six Believe it or not, but true. Amanda
years. That requires an athlete to be Boxing is not for everybody, neither is
dedicated and committed. To run and hockey or rugby, but even if your not a Trakas
do weights when its not training night fan, boxing deserves your respect.
at the club, to push themselves to run If you visit a boxing gym you won’t fi nd
when they don’t feel like it, to opt not a roomful of bloodthirsty thugs looking Amanda, 11, lives in
to go for a few “beers” (if of age) and to break heads. You will see a group of the Lunenburg area
stay home. It takes talent coupled people, including a lot of kids working and attends Roxmore
with work ethic. If a boxer has natural themselves harder than you would ever Public School. She
ability, they must still apply themselves believe young people would be willing
to the training program. to. They are punching bags, skipping trains at Seaway
People are often intimidated by rope, shadow boxing, or doing sparring Karate in Ingleside.
boxing clubs and there are many exercises. They are covered in sweat, Amanda’s focus,
misconceptions. First of all, boxers panting and fi ercely determined. technical skill, and
“choose” to fight. They choose to do it. Boxing is not something they do three positive attitude have

It’s not like boxers go around beating or four times a year. It’s something you
people up at random. Everyone that do every day, and not just in the gym. made her a leader in
boxes has made a conscious decision to In addition to workouts, you have to be our junior class.
get into the ring and box. careful about what eat and drink, you