I was in okay shape when I started training for the fight at Legends Boxing Gym in South-West London. Like a lot of people, I play a bit of five-a-side football, go for the occasional run and eat reasonably healthily. But such is the intensity of boxing training, that within just a few weeks I found – to my surprise – that I’d made rapid progress in my overall fitness. There’s a reason for that. The recent fad for ‘high intensity training’ is something boxers have known about for years. Try punching a bag non-stop for three minutes and you’ll see what I mean! As middle age begins to spread itself across your midriff, it’s heartening to know that with a bit of hard work, you’re only ever 10 weeks away from the fittest you’ve ever been.
2. There’s a good reason why boxers are considered among sport’s fittest athletes
Among our group of novices, there were several rugby players, gym bunnies and fitness freaks. We even had an ‘ultra marathon’ runner, someone who has completed the infamous Marathon des Sables (156 miles in the Sahara desert since you ask) and even she found the training tough. Boxing’s combination of intense bursts of anaerobic activity (punching to you and me) followed by relatively short recovery periods make it one of the most physically demanding sports out there. Six minutes in the ring almost finished me, the idea of going the full Championship distance of 12 x 3 minute rounds now completely blows my mind.
3. Age need not be a barrier
Our group included several guys in their late forties and even – my hero – a 61 year old called Norman. George Foreman famously regained the heavyweight title a couple of months shy of his 46th birthday but even his achievements have arguably been surpassed by Bernard ‘The Alien’ Hopkins, who won his last world title at the age of 49. In short, it’s never too late!
4. ‘Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth’
For weeks leading up to the fight I pored over every boxing book I could get my hands on, mugged up on ring strategies, and watched classic fights on YouTube. I also listened intently to everything my coach, Harvey Morgan, had to say on slipping, blocking and footwork. When I found out who my opponent would be – another lanky fellow – I tried to identify the best way to beat him. But as Mike Tyson famously said, ‘Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth’. When that happens instinct tends to take over and every fibre of your being tells you start swinging!
5. Defensive skills are underrated
Novice fighters like myself often end up in slug-fests because the ability to think clearly under pressure is something that can only be developed over time. You can learn to punch fairly quickly, but learning how to box takes years. As a boxing fan, and I’m sure I’m not alone in this, I tend to favour the classic dust-ups like Gatti-Ward, while in all honesty Mayweather’s brand of defensive genius has often left me cold. But after this experience I’m going to re-watch a lot of old fights with a new eye. Slipping, counter-punching, timing – all these can be things of beauty, just look at masters of the art like Pernell ‘Sweet Pea’ Whitaker or Argentina’s often-overlooked Nicolino ‘El Intocable’ Locche.
And for anyone wondering what happened in my fight? After three ding-dong rounds which swung this way and that, it ended in draw. However it was declared ‘fight of the night’, so perhaps now I should retire, a little wiser, a little sorer but still undefeated!
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