Tuesday are my favorite days. Have I said that before? Doesn't make it any less true. KB leads into Boxing (with X), then we have KB 2 and SPARRING! 3.5 hours of fun.
Working today on more refined techniques and speed was my goal. Frederik even commented on my improved speed during boxing. I believe the quote was, "Damn, I can't get over how fast you got." I am starting to notice the footwork needed to land combinations.
For example, on a 1-1-3 (body), 3 (head), 5 it took me almost the full 4 min to figure out why my uppercut had no power. Once I remembered to recoil after the hook I laid into the focus mitt with a solid THWACK! It isn't as fast as what I was doing but it is much more effective. Causing my body to move allows for better positioning and helps me avoid an answer, kind of like a slip. I showed Frederik and he concurred that was the reason neither of us had any power in our uppercut. I hope he gets a fight soon, he needs it.
In kickboxing we learned how to throw a spinning heel kick. I might be in love. I would be lyng if I said I didn't throw some while sparring (3 actually). If I can learn to throw them faster I might have another weapon in my arsenal, watch out!
The first sparring session since my fight went well. I saw,more,openings and tried to string together combinations, even the body kick-cross combo (it keeps working). Because I am sparring beginners Sifu wants me to back off when I am overwelming them but understand what I would throw should it be a real fight.
Improvements:
Spinning heel hook, side kick flexibility, footwork
Positives:
Learned a new kick, "fight vision" continues to improve
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
Post (First) Fight Thoughts
This past week has been a blur. Let’s recap.
I am 1-0 after my first fight. I delivered a TKO in the third round via a body kick-cross combo. I didn’t come back to southpaw after throwing the left body kick but rather planted my foot right next to my opponent and unleashed a right cross. This was possible, mostly, because when I first started training at Fit 2 Fight I learned how to throw my punches in the orthodox stance. Fighting southpaw was a tactical decision, messes up my opponents and allows me to utilize the fact that I can kick with both of my legs pretty equally.
I knew that the fight would be a milestone. I would come out of it with a different perspective on fighting than before. I came out of the dressing room knowing I was not going to throw any head kicks, Ahmed said that specifically. He wanted me to stay in my comfort zone and not do anything too risky.
When the bell sounded I came out ready to throw the first punch. I think the first thing that landed was a foot jab. I attempted to keep him back from me with foot jabs and regular jabs. I was moving well and only once did he get a solid shot in. It was a left hook that hit me on the right side, a good punch. I took it and came right back at him with a short 1-2 combination. I attempted some leg kicks but it was mostly to gauge my distance. At the end of the first round I could tell he was far more tired than I was.
The second round slowed a bit, mostly because of my opponent. He kept getting in close and clinching me while trying to uppercut or jab out. At one point I threw a hook and he came in at the same time. My bicep caught him on the head and aside from my shin it was the only thing that hurt the next day. I kept my hands up during the clinches until the ref broke us up. I landed more body shots, right to the ribs while in the clinch and some decent crosses. At the end of the round I hit him with a stiff jab that flung his head back. He had his hands down and I heard his corner yell at him, “It’s a FUCKING FIGHT.” The third round was where I would have to end it.
I came out with a plan to attack his body. I knew that the left body kick was open because he was tired. I landed one and followed with a missed hook. I threw another and kept my stance, waited half a second for him to open his hands, then unleashed the cross. I saw his eyes roll back as his feet gave out from under him. Once he hit the floor I jogged over to a neutral corner. When the ref waved his hands it was clear the fight was over.
I was ecstatic. I actually saw the weakness of my opponent, developed a game plan, saw my opening and executed. I had never seen any openings while sparring John or Ahmed, probably because they are far and few between. But the adrenaline helped me focus and actually made me more controlled. My family and friends went nuts. I saw immediately that at least 4 of them rushed up to the ring; my dad, Pat, Gerry, and Bill. Along with my corner, Victor and Ahmed, they were all freaking out more than I was. I just wanted my gloves off so my hands could be raised and I could let it all sink in.
People asked me if I had an adrenaline dump afterwards. Being on such a high from the TKO, being with my family and friends and reveling in the win may have cause other people to crash but not me. I went out and celebrated with everyone who was willing. I finally went to bed at around 5 am.
I already notice a change in myself. This week while doing boxing partner work my hands went instinctively back to my face for protection. They were planted firmly on my jaw no matter what the combination called for. It is probably the first instinctual thing I am doing as a fighter. In my mind, that is a good thing. Defense should come naturally. This way I can protect myself and counter my opponent.
Sifu could not be there but he sent me a text. It read, “Now you can see what we all saw.” Now the real journey begins. I know that I can flip the switch and attack my opponent, let’s just hope the next one ends a bit sooner. It is time to get back in the gym and hit the streets for some cardio.
Improvements:
Stepping out on round kicks, flexibility for head kick possibilities, conditioning
Positives:
TKO Round 3, saw weaknesses, body kicks and punches landed hard, NO MERCY
I am 1-0 after my first fight. I delivered a TKO in the third round via a body kick-cross combo. I didn’t come back to southpaw after throwing the left body kick but rather planted my foot right next to my opponent and unleashed a right cross. This was possible, mostly, because when I first started training at Fit 2 Fight I learned how to throw my punches in the orthodox stance. Fighting southpaw was a tactical decision, messes up my opponents and allows me to utilize the fact that I can kick with both of my legs pretty equally.
I knew that the fight would be a milestone. I would come out of it with a different perspective on fighting than before. I came out of the dressing room knowing I was not going to throw any head kicks, Ahmed said that specifically. He wanted me to stay in my comfort zone and not do anything too risky.
When the bell sounded I came out ready to throw the first punch. I think the first thing that landed was a foot jab. I attempted to keep him back from me with foot jabs and regular jabs. I was moving well and only once did he get a solid shot in. It was a left hook that hit me on the right side, a good punch. I took it and came right back at him with a short 1-2 combination. I attempted some leg kicks but it was mostly to gauge my distance. At the end of the first round I could tell he was far more tired than I was.
The second round slowed a bit, mostly because of my opponent. He kept getting in close and clinching me while trying to uppercut or jab out. At one point I threw a hook and he came in at the same time. My bicep caught him on the head and aside from my shin it was the only thing that hurt the next day. I kept my hands up during the clinches until the ref broke us up. I landed more body shots, right to the ribs while in the clinch and some decent crosses. At the end of the round I hit him with a stiff jab that flung his head back. He had his hands down and I heard his corner yell at him, “It’s a FUCKING FIGHT.” The third round was where I would have to end it.
I came out with a plan to attack his body. I knew that the left body kick was open because he was tired. I landed one and followed with a missed hook. I threw another and kept my stance, waited half a second for him to open his hands, then unleashed the cross. I saw his eyes roll back as his feet gave out from under him. Once he hit the floor I jogged over to a neutral corner. When the ref waved his hands it was clear the fight was over.
I was ecstatic. I actually saw the weakness of my opponent, developed a game plan, saw my opening and executed. I had never seen any openings while sparring John or Ahmed, probably because they are far and few between. But the adrenaline helped me focus and actually made me more controlled. My family and friends went nuts. I saw immediately that at least 4 of them rushed up to the ring; my dad, Pat, Gerry, and Bill. Along with my corner, Victor and Ahmed, they were all freaking out more than I was. I just wanted my gloves off so my hands could be raised and I could let it all sink in.
People asked me if I had an adrenaline dump afterwards. Being on such a high from the TKO, being with my family and friends and reveling in the win may have cause other people to crash but not me. I went out and celebrated with everyone who was willing. I finally went to bed at around 5 am.
I already notice a change in myself. This week while doing boxing partner work my hands went instinctively back to my face for protection. They were planted firmly on my jaw no matter what the combination called for. It is probably the first instinctual thing I am doing as a fighter. In my mind, that is a good thing. Defense should come naturally. This way I can protect myself and counter my opponent.
Sifu could not be there but he sent me a text. It read, “Now you can see what we all saw.” Now the real journey begins. I know that I can flip the switch and attack my opponent, let’s just hope the next one ends a bit sooner. It is time to get back in the gym and hit the streets for some cardio.
Improvements:
Stepping out on round kicks, flexibility for head kick possibilities, conditioning
Positives:
TKO Round 3, saw weaknesses, body kicks and punches landed hard, NO MERCY
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
June 4th
Bring it on. Weight is on point. Training is going well. Cardio is good. Friends and family are out for support. Next post will be after the fight. Hopefully with pictures and video.
Leave it in the ring and out of the judges hands.
Leave it in the ring and out of the judges hands.
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