Blood, Sweat and Tears -- Sparring Tournament... Friday, June 29

In the away corner, from Flipside Fitness, standing in at 153cm and having her debut sparring match, Atomic-B. And in the home corner, UP Boxing Club’s very own Ram-Ram Bo Ram, standing in at 170cm (… maybe), also having her debut sparring match. On the sidelines stood each opponent’s cheering-crew and fans -- Atomic-B with 5, Ram-Ram Bo Ram with 2 – and a packed boxing club that eagerly awaited the round bell ringing. We had hyped up the match and so it was definitely the main match of the tournament. 

Off the round bell went and together the two opponents came. They tapped gloves, bowed and then it was game on.With fists blazing and arms flailing in the air, both were exploding with adrenaline and excessive energy. The first round, like all first rounds of debut sparring matches and fights, is all about getting out all that crazy stored energy and finding your rhythm. For the first round, your feet have no coordination, you throw random punches instead of precise solid hits, and your heart is pounding so much you swear it’s going to jump out of your throat. You can’t hear anything except your corner coach yelling at you and everything else but your opponent becomes one big blur. 

I posed as Atomic-B’s corner coach, yelling non-stop at her to do this punch, that combo, and whatnot. She was fuming at the end of the first round, it hadn’t gone as she had planned, so I grabbed her by her headgear and told her not to get angry. Anger is a dangerous, dangerous fuel to a fight that will leave you fighting with rage as opposed to skill and concise punches. But she got it together, she listened and she pushed her opponent in the corner for some clean hits when I told her to do so. I think the ladies of Flipside Fitness held their breath for the whole match. The match was set for three 1.5minute rounds and at the end of it we had the two opponents pose for pictures and we congratulated them. 

Atomic-B was rather frustrated and disappointed with her performance. She did good for her first attempt but I can totally understand and relate to her position. She’s like me -- we both take things to heart and make things personal – but everything is a learning experience. Tonight’s experience showed Atomic-B her weaknesses and it was a very public, humbling experience. It was a great experience though and regardless of what anyone wanted to say about it they’ve got nothing on her. No one has any right to say anything until they’ve stepped in the ring like she did. She gave it her best and you can’t give more than 100%. Next time though, tonight’s best – tonight’s 100% -- will seem like 95% in comparison because she will improve. Everyone starts as a beginner and tonight she took her first step past beginner… cool.