ATTN. Big Bird and Pit Dog...

[The Colonie Crusher]

What's up guys. I just want to tell you, as a 20 year old amateur boxer, I am VERY impressed with your guys experience! I just want to know something, how old are you guys and how are your boxing careers going and if they are done, tell me about your pro and amateur careers. And one last thing, as a fighter who wants to make a name for himself in the amateur ranks, can you please give me some advice on boxing life. What should I be doing? Any advice on these topics would be great: roadwork (jogging or sprints, OR both), sparring with OR without headgear or both, WOMEN, diet, lifting, should I grapple and box (would it hurt or slow my boxing progress?)etc. etc. Any advice on these subjects and more would be great.

My career goes like this: In 1997 as a 17 year old, I started training in Albany, NY in the same gym as Gary Wilcox (cruiserweight), and Elija(Carlton)Tillary, the guy who kicked Bowe in the balls, trained there for a little bit. I had one fight at 156 lbs. and won by first round knockout, and then I entered the 1998 NYS Golden Gloves tournament and won the first fight by first round knockout, but lost a decision in the finals of the sub-novice decision. I had another fight 4 months later and lost a decision. Then I took a year off and went from 156 to 196. My trainer moved to another gym so I started training at a gym in Albany where Tony Marshall trains at. I dropped to 178 and I was scheduled to fight someone but they never showed. I then hurt my hand punching a kid in the face while bouncing so I took some time off and started training in BJJ with Nick Sanzo (who is an EXCELLENT teacher and pretty cool guy as well). Now I'm back fighting but this time I am an amateur heavyweight (6' 194 lbs.) and I've been sparring Kevin Pompey's brother. I should be ready in a couple weeks for a fight and I'm fighting in this years NYS and Vermont Golden Gloves.

Well, it's no where near your guys career but that's the best I've done so far.

Hope you guys can help me out.

[Edited by The Colonie Crusher on 11-14-2000 at 10:44 PM]

[rockinronnie]

ColonyCrusher - Just wanted to say best of luck in your boxing career. I don't have the credentials that both PD & BB have, but I do have some experience in the sweet science. About all I can say is keep with the road work (both wind-sprints and non), keep to a clean diet (no alcohol, especially prior to a fight), and use all the tools of the gym (ie; heavy bag, speed bag, double-end etc, and get in plenty of sparring). I wouldn't suggest not using headgear at this stage in your early career (personally, I've been sparring without it for the past three or so years - the reason for this is because I was thinking of turning pro, and I wanted to get used to not wearing one), but for now, I think it's good for you to keep one on. If you get too used to not having one on while sparring, it messes you up come time to really fight - it did me anyways the few times I sparred with it off. It's made to protect, so it's always good to have it on. Hey, even when Ali & Foreman were sparring they'd wear their headgears. Foreman is all for pro boxers using headgear right now.
Do lots of work for the mid-section. I hated to do plain sit-ups, so I'd go from doing crunches to leg raises. My trainer used to love to blast the old medicine ball against the stomach, and then make me roll on the ball on the ground. Side crunches are good also to be able to take those body shots.
I don't know about you, but I still used to lift weights as part of my boxing training. Some will say that heavy bag training alone builds strength needed, but I prefered to combine progressive resistance weight training as well.

And then there's the best of all - the pad work. There were so many guys in the gyms I trained at, that I never got the pad training that I really wanted (or needed) just because of the sheer volume of fighters, and only one really qualified trainer. Pad work is essential. It not only co-ordinates the hands, but also helps with the footwork you need to be a good boxer.
Oh, I forgot the best part of all - SKIPPING! I used to wear out a rope every six months. Along with the roadwork, this is excellent for cardo - and footwork. SKIP, SKIP, SKIP! I could never get enough of it....still can't.

I'm sure alot of this (if not all) you already knew. Hope your training (and fighting) goes well.

Ronnie.
___________________________________
A straight arm's still a broken arm - Master JPF

[The Colonie Crusher]

Thanks man I appreciate it. You sound like you know your stuff! I still do powerlifting and my punching power has increased alot.

Thanks again!

[Pit Dog]

He he, I never had a "career" my friend ... I was too lazy on the conditioning end. I was what you might call a "Gym Rat." Trained and sparred a lot, but had no career aspirations. So actually your carrer is more stellar than mine

When I was going to UCLA, I used to take a 2 hr bus ride downtown to train. I did this after I got KO'd in a streetfight. Pi$$ed me off (even though it wasn't much of a "fight" ... since I was so drunk a moth could have grazed me and knocked me out ), but it was the catalyst to get me in the gym. I became obsessed with boxing and boxing history. I read everything I could, I went over moves ... over and over and over again ... to the point of pathology ... and had the benefit of a really good, old school trainer who knew about proper leverage and many subtleties that are lost now to most of these new-age trainers.

When I graduated, I used to go downtown after work and train. As a matter of fact, the closest I came to having a "career" was while I was working. I started getting up really early and running TO get into serious shape ... but I made the mistake of buying a pit bull to run with me. Fell in love with the breed ... hook, line, and sinker ... and I forgot all about boxing. One dog became a kennel full ... and it's been that way ever since

If I could give you any advice it would be

• Find your true weight, and STAY THERE. Gain no more than 7 to 10 lbs over this weight and making it will never be a problem. Do NOT jump around in weight divisions, but instead become the best you can be at a given weight ... the LOWEST weight you can retain FULL STRENGTH. This is your best weight and you should stay there (growing excepted if you're young). Becoming a champion of a weight, and defending it many times will gain you a better place in history than being a "jack of all weights, master of none." Strive to become a MASTER of your best weight division.
  
  
• Come in tune with your "style." Are you a bull, a matador, a defensinve counterpuncher, an aggressive counterpuncher, a slugger, what? Find your true style and become a master of it. DROP any trainer who tries to alter your style, and instead hook up with a trainer who is looking to DEVELOP your style. No one can be you better than you are ... and you will never be someone else better than they are. Find out who you are in that ring, and develop YOU.
  
  
• Remain dedicated and dump any friends or family members who are negative and bring you down. The quickest way to find out who is REALLY with you is to have a goal. There will be a very clear line drawn as to who supports your goal and makes you feel good about it, and who is opposed to your goal and makes you feel bad about it. Negative people are like sandbags on your balloon to go as high as you can ... and if you REALLY want to go high, then you have to cut off any sandbags on your balloon and surround yourself only with people who are HIGH on you and what you're doing. This includes people who "seem" friendly, but try to get you to do things (stay out late and party, etc.) that are counterproductive to your goals. A true friend will tell you to go to bed and eat right ... not stay up and drink all night ... because he wants you TO WIN. Negative people can also include your trainer. If you feel doubt from your trainer, dump him. The best trainers exude a deep belief in their fighters because they know their fighters can feel that positive energy. A good trainer may get on your a$$ ... but you should be able to feel his confidence and faith in you ... or dump him too. Remember YOU are the fighter, so it is critical that you gain instruction from someone who makes you feel like one and who shows ACTIVE INTEREST in you. This will make you feel more alive and capable than a trainer who either lacks interest in you or who gives you a negative vibe. You've GOTTA have positive vibes at all times.
  
  
• Finally, be true to yourself and always believe you can do it, no matter what. No matter how behind you are, no matter how far ahead the other guy seems to be ... if you are still conscious you are still dangerous. Give the opponent enough respect so you remain on your Ps and Qs, but always believe ... deep down ... that it will only be a matter of time before you find your opponent's weakness and exploit it.

Good luck and have fun




[Edited by Pit Dog on 11-15-2000 at 06:10 PM]

[rockinronnie]

Absolutely perfect!

Ronnie.
_____________________________
A straight arm's still a broken arm - Master JPF

[The Colonie Crusher]

Thanks alot Pit Dog. You have helped me alot already, seriously. I mean that.

Thank You.