I just joined a boxing gym

[Sagacious Lu]

Yup, last Tues. So far I'm loving it. I'm holding up fairly well to the work outs but from what I've seen there's no doubt that this is going to take my conditioning to a whole new level. Basically I made a decision that I want to have some fights while I'm still young enough for it. I was going to compete in San Shou, but San Shou matches are few and far between, and besides, although my kung fu school is top notch it isn't geared towards competition at all. After a lot of soul searching I decided that this is probably the best way for me to achieve my goal of competing successfully. So now the next step is for me to cut a little over 20 lbs.

[Tom Yum]

Congrats .

What weight class are you competing in?

[Sagacious Lu]

After talking to a couple of the coaches I think I'll do best at 152 (or is it 154? I've heard both numbers) which is what I used to wrestle at in high school.

[Tom Yum]

154 is super-welterweight.

That's a good & competitive weight class. I think Fernando Vargas fought at that weight as well as Roberto Duran and maybe SRL. Seems like the welterweight (148) to cruiserweight (200) categories are the most interesting to watch because you get strategy, athleticism and power.

Lightweight bouts and below (with some exceptions) are technical fights. Fun to watch if you're really into the sport and good for learning, but your average joe won't get excited.

Sometimes heavyweight bouts are not athletic, nor quick in terms of action (since all it takes is one good shot); fun for the average joe who wants to see two monsters slug it out, but not allways good for learning. But again it depends on whose fighting.

[Sagacious Lu]

Yeah, it seems like the middle-weights have some of the most exciting bouts in all the combat sports. I've had to make a few adjustments; they've changed my stance and guard a little. It's not a dramatic change but I'm still breaking my old habits. I think the difference is because I no longer have to think about kicks or chin na. My punching technique was actually pretty solid when I got there, but I can already tell I'm going to improve a lot over the next few months. It's exciting to be learning new things; this change was exactly what I needed to make training fun again. Do you know where I can find links to some old bouts that I can download?

[>:)]

That's cool Sagacious. I think this will do wonders for your ability in martial arts. I think along side muay thai guys, boxers are some of the best conditioned fighters around.

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I usually download old matches from various p2p networks like slsk, ares, etc. The classics with the big names are really easy to find

[Sagacious Lu]

Well, after a little more than a week I'm really impressed with how much attention we pay to our footwork. That's not something I've ever really focused on (by comparison that is) but I'm quickly learning to see the wisdom in it. The result is that I'm taking the time to break down some things that I've always taken for granted, and it's actually a little surprising to me how much it's improving my ability as a whole. Good stuff

[Tom Yum]

Originally Posted by Sagacious Lu

Well, after a little more than a week I'm really impressed with how much attention we pay to our footwork. That's not something I've ever really focused on (by comparison that is) but I'm quickly learning to see the wisdom in it. The result is that I'm taking the time to break down some things that I've always taken for granted, and it's actually a little surprising to me how much it's improving my ability as a whole. Good stuff

Sounds good!

Keep it up.

[GQchris]

Originally Posted by Sagacious Lu

Yup, last Tues. So far I'm loving it. I'm holding up fairly well to the work outs but from what I've seen there's no doubt that this is going to take my conditioning to a whole new level. Basically I made a decision that I want to have some fights while I'm still young enough for it. I was going to compete in San Shou, but San Shou matches are few and far between, and besides, although my kung fu school is top notch it isn't geared towards competition at all. After a lot of soul searching I decided that this is probably the best way for me to achieve my goal of competing successfully. So now the next step is for me to cut a little over 20 lbs.

How old are you Sag? it seems like people on this forum are sensitive about their age, what's up with that, we're not women here...

I mean if you're young you're young, and if you're old, you're old.. so what

[Sagacious Lu]

I'm getting close to 30. I've still got plenty of time for an amatuer career but I figure if I'm going to do it I'd better start making it happen before too much time goes by. Even if I'm still physically able in 10 years (and I intend to be ) I want to make it happen before I find myself too busy with family and business to put in the necessary training time.

[Tom Yum]

Originally Posted by Sagacious Lu

I'm getting close to 30. I've still got plenty of time for an amatuer career but I figure if I'm going to do it I'd better start making it happen before too much time goes by. Even if I'm still physically able in 10 years (and I intend to be ) I want to make it happen before I find myself too busy with family and business to put in the necessary training time.

There's a couppla older fellows at Mousel's who are well over 30, boxed for a while and can hit like a pissed off mack trucks.

The problem: These guys are under 200 lbs......but have great experience.

I loved training with Pat Swan. He's a good guy and an excellent boxing coach. He would mix it up with longer than normal rounds where raw guts and strong legs were the only hope of keeping you up; other times (rarely) we'd go all out where it was like fight night and Pat would just keep the pressure on you non-stop for 2 minutes. Add to that he'd pull off some slightly dirty stuff just to mess with you (allbeit done in good humor!).

Thanks for the post, Lu! I need to tune up with Pat.

[Sagacious Lu]

I've gotta say it's been a long time since I've had as much fun as I am at this place. There's just something about the sweet science

[medic06]

I envy you SL. If I can ever get my knee pieced back together I want to start boxing again.

[Tom Yum]

Originally Posted by Sagacious Lu

I've gotta say it's been a long time since I've had as much fun as I am at this place. There's just something about the sweet science

Hell yeah. What gym do you train at?

[Sagacious Lu]

I don't like to put too much personal info out on the public forum but check your PMs. I'm excited because this week I'm going to start sparring. So far I haven't been because they've been making sure that I've got the basics down well enough for it, but yesterday the coaches gave me the green light to get started.