Not Always is a Loss a Loss... Monday, May 11

Every once in awhile there's someone who most randomly walks into Hulk's, off the street, and thinks they're going to be the one to take on and take down the Korean Hulk -- Snickers.  I've seen it too often go down on Sparring Day with our own Hulkies.  Members waiting to go last or not warming up fully because they think they'll catch the Korean Hulk off guard, on a bad day, or when he's exhausted.  I applaud their eagerness to do so and their sly techniques but Snickers didn't earn the nickname the Korean Hulk for being easy in the ring.  He earned it because of his freakish strength and ability to knock out his opponent in the first couple of rounds.  

Snickers knows to go easy on our Hulkies on Sparring Day, giving them just enough of a challenge to keep their ego in check but letting them get in some shots so to keep them motivated and encouraged to continue.  But when it's someone we don't know, not a Hulkie, who comes in and announces that they want to spar with Snickers, well it's game on and my interest always peaks.  Everyone's interest at the club peaks.

Not knowing a thing about his opponent and not even expecting to spar tonight or even so much as train, Snickers stepped into the ring with this foreign male who looked to be about 25 years of age.  

The round bell went and round one started. 

Everyone in the club stopped training and turned in the direction of the ring.  Snickers allowed his opponent to approach him first, allowed him to take the first punch, and then it was game on from there.  But, as expected, Snickers clearly over powered him not only in strength but in endurance, speed, and skills.  But, I must note, it was me who continually called out Snickers' name, signalling him to take it easier and not hit so hard.  His opponent took some nasty blows in the second round and it took some convincing from Snickers for his opponent to agree to go one more round.

After the sparring, this particularly opponent packed his gear up and left the club quietly.  Snickers told me after that the guy had come here to check the club out and was thinking about joining but I really don't think he had any intention of wanting to join beyond perhaps feeding his own ego and flaunt his skills.  No ego was fed, instead a little humble pie was served, but I really am curious as to whether or not he will join.  We can always use more brave boxers who will step up to the challenges of stepping in the ring.  And if this guy has the balls to step into a ring like he did tonight, with an opponent he perhaps have heard of but never before has sparred with, then I for one would love to sign him up and hook him up with a huge discount just out of respect.  He may have clearly lost tonight's sparring session but he earned my respect.