Let me state this off the top, my phone screen just so happened to land on exactly the wrong spot, totally smashing the screen, and so my pictures for today's entry are limited to whatever I've posted on Facebook and/or got off the web. My apologies. I had some funny boxing shots, in particular of the last fight when two heavy hitters appeared to be fighting more like a mix between two mothers over the last Tickle-Me-Elmo and two boys hitting puberty and using all their new-found testosterone out on each other on the school play ground. Until I can get my phone fix, you'll have to just wait for those shots.
This time next week I'll be on a plane heading to Thailand, heading to the fight location and training at a friend-of-a-friend's boxing club until I have to step in the ring the following Friday. This was all I could think of today when I woke up and left to Incheon. I am consumed with it.
Being a boxer and being a boxing fan or spectator holds totally different view points when watching a live bout. I'm always particularly interested in how each individual boxer walks towards the ring -- do they look confident or do they look like they're going to pee their pants. I'd have to say I'm a mix of both, I'm right in between. There's of course the initial "why the hell am I doing this?!" thought that so many of us boxers think right when they call our name. For me, when I question myself this, I always remind myself that it's because I've trained for this exact moment. For Snickers, his answer is because he loves it. He loves the fight where as I think I'm more about the anticipation and hard training that comes with preparing for a fight. I love the intensity and pushing myself to my max, that's what I love about it all. I love it because while so many others can and will say whatever they want about it, most of them simply don't have the guts to step in the ring.
Today I watched as each individual boxer walked towards the ring. I tried to read their demeanour and guess as to whether they're being flooded with fight or flight feelings. And then, as expected, the round bell would ring and you'd see the fighters step out of their comfort zone corner and start the fight. The first round jitters many had were obvious -- some were like squirrels on caffeine while a few seemed more comfortable than expected. By round two most boxers seemed to harness their excitement and find their rhythm.
After each fight or couple of fights there was a medal ceremony in which the red carpet would be rolled out in the ring, the podiums would be placed, and the winners would be presented with their medals. Korea did exceptionally good for itself, scoring four medals in the men's boxing. We all cheered for them, of course, and even got some of our neighbouring Mongolia fans sitting beside us to cheer with us. The energy of the crowd was awesome, even more so because it was the finals. Among the Thailand fans was one guy wearing what I could only describe as a horse Halloween-like custom. He had a horse head and legs protruding from his waist so it looked like he was actually sitting on a horse. It was quite hilarious but I wonder how he managed to squeeze through the front gate metal detectors and how exactly they patted him down.
We caught every single fight in today's finals and when it was all over we finally left.
Oh boxing... I love you! And to think Snickers originally didn't want to come and see the finals, what a waste that would have been. I mean, a day of live fights at such a level, what boxer would want to miss it?! Exactly.
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