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How Does It Feel To Be In The Ring?
and results of certain actions, you around and being in motion helps who refuses to lose refuses to give
try to avoid those actions. alleviate the nerves and jitters. in, and is able to adapt to what
The best teacher in life is Usually boxers warm up and break their opponents do and counter
By Jorge Luis a sweat after gloving up with with their own skills.
experience--to actually be in the
regulated approved gloves. They
situation and live it. You can After the bout is over, both
prepare as you should and know then shadow box and practice contestants embrace. This is a sign
what you’re about to face. A punch combos while working mitts of ultimate respect and of relief.
with their coach.
boxer knows that they will hit and Relief washes over both competitors
get hit. The boxer has prepared Once warmed up, it is time for and a sense of satisfaction for hard
in the gym for this and has been the bout. Boxers feel an adrenaline
ave you ever wondered how work and effort engulfs both boxers
trained to react accordingly to rush, the legs feel funny and the
Hit must feel to get in a boxing as they await the judge’s decision.
ring? How you ever watched a punching opportunities and to jitters really accelerate as they walk The winner is now blessed with
avoid hits, getting hit and fighting to the ring. They must overcome
good boxing match on TV and a feeling of elation and the loser
back. What often prevents any negative thoughts with positive
see the fighters looking very usually feels a sense of defeat and
calm, confident and assured of boxers from preforming is nerves thoughts. Bouts are won and lost disappointment, but not shame. It
and lack of control over their in the gym and on the road long
themselves? In actual fact, many is never shameful to lose honorably.
emotions. They cannot go into before the bout takes place. If
times it is quite the opposite. Do It takes a very special individual
you know what fighters feel? the ring too emotional, nor too a boxer has not trained properly to be a competitive boxer and
under stimulated. Every boxer is and has neglected training, this
FEAR….yes, fear. Not what climb in a boxing ring alone and
different: some need lots of pep will play on their mind. They will
you expect from a fighter, right? face another trained adversary in
Fighters are macho and tough talk, some don’t. But the better remember the days they did not run
a boxer controls their emotions or train, and the nights they slacked front of a crowd, and leave it all
and fearless, right? Yes and no. in the ring. I have nothing but the
They are macho in many instances and thoughts, the better they will off in the gym. Sometimes a boxer ultimate respect for fighters of any
and tough, both physically and perform in the competition ring. does this self-sabotage as a built in
mentally-- especially mentally. To paint a small picture, here is an excuse to run or hide from the fear sport in the ring or cage.
But fearless they are not. Fighters example of a novice boxer at their of losing. They can “blame” lack Few individuals in life ever face
are human beings and-- like all first competition. At the weigh- of training. It takes a very special themselves and conquer their fears
ins a couple of hours before the person and athlete to discipline
mortals-- have fear. Fear of what? to find out what they are truly
Fear of the unknown, fear of bouts, the boxers eye each other themselves and to put themselves made of, and to see how far their
losing and fear of failing--like all quietly. They “pretend” they are out there in front of a crowd, to face mind, body and soul can go. Few
not afraid, but inside, the boxers their fears and have no excuses.
mortals, just like in real life. Fear face themselves in the mirror and
is something all of us encounter in knees are weak and trembling. They did their best and know who know that they can do it. Few have
one way or another. What we need The butterflies are floating freely and what they truly are. the courage to try, to know. That
in the belly. Boxers are good poker
to do is control that fear and make On the ring walk, a well-prepared is why I love fighters. They face
it work for us. We need to force players: they appear confident, but boxer feels the sweat go down their fears, and even if they never
hide their fears and must overcome
ourselves to face our fears and their back and they are ready to go become champions, they apply
confront them, and force ourselves negative thoughts. Their opponent- to war. At no time do the nerves this everywhere else in their life.
to do what we need to do. Fear is -though the same weight range-- completely go away. After the first
appears bigger, looks tougher and They face their fears and give their
really your friend. Friend? Yes! If punches are thrown it gets better best, never surrendering to life’s
you had no fear, you would cross often what our minds imagine is and more manageable, but they obstacles and defeats. They see
the street when cars are coming. much worse than what the reality are always present. Boxers who
is. This is normal to be nervous things through, requiring effort
You would jump off a roof, and are more disciplined and apply the
and boxers must be guided through and sacrifice. These are signs of
you would put your hand in fire. training will perform better, forcing
What prevents us from doing this this and told these things. They themselves to do what they have a fighter--both in the ring, and in
are not alone. The worst part is life.
is fear: fear of injury, fear of death, prepared for. Often will is more
fear of the unknown. Knowledge waiting for the bout. The hour important than skill. The athlete Yours in boxing and fighting
and education and experience go before the fight is excruciating-- who really wants to win “imposes” arts,
that hour seems like a whole day.
a long way in eliminating fear. themselves on their opponents at
When you know the consequences Warm up begins and moving crucial points in the bout. The one Jorge Luis
