It's been a little over a week since Denton's fight and the news of making the GoldenGloves team. Things are still pretty exciting, it was an exciting week. I've had a chance to reflect on Denton's big win, I've also had a chance to spend time with the champ and get his insight on his fight, boxing, life, his and mine, and really just enjoy his company as a friend. But truthfully most of the time we spend together is spent talking about boxing, which both of us could do all day. There is such a humility in him that is admirable, here he is, at a huge turning point in his career, coming off the biggest most significant win in his life, yet, he is constantly trying to help me, give me guidance and advice, doing whatever he can to see to it that I reach my dream. Selfless. Along with spending time with Denton, I was also humbled today, by a group of youngsters I had the privilege of spending time with this week. They, along with Denton, gave me another reminder about what life is all about, what I am here for, what we all are here for...
There is something so magical that happens when you spend time with kids. When you share a smile or a laugh with a young person, it is so genuine, so innocent, so pure. They can't easily hide things. If they are upset, happy, tired, bored, you know it, instantly. They haven't learned the art of "BS" yet. You always know where you stand with a kid, if you don't know how they feel by looking at them, just ask them, they'll tell you. I had a great opportunity this week. There was a march break camp for kids at the gym, and I assisted in teaching the kids some boxing. We really had fun. Today I had a chance to talk with them though. We gathered around and I told them about my journey, how I arrived at this point in my life and why boxing is so important to me. I suppose the discussion was meant to inspire them, but ironically, it was them that inspired me. I got a chance to know them, what their dreams are, the things they like, we talked about god, and how they pray, we talked about the importance of helping people, and to always do your best. I was amazed at their answers, how insightful they were, but mostly I was inspired by how grateful they were for the things they have in life, and how much thought they gave to those around the world that were not as fortunate. I have really been focused on my efforts in training for the GoldenGloves tournament. So many people have congratulated me, people are happy for me, people are proud. I admit I've taken satisfaction and pride in making the team. I'm looking forward to my first fight, the official start of my competitive journey. All this credit and reward has been given to me, it's easy to forget the reason that I started this jouney in the first place...
A simple life. Live a good one. Live it clean. Do your best. Before you leave, leave it better than you left it. How do we do that? We teach our young. What do we teach them? I suppose that's different from person to person. We all have different gifts, we all have special qualities, we're not all the same, we all have something different to pass on, we all feel that there are certain things that are important in life, some, more than others. We all want our youth to do better than us. They are our future. We want something out of them. How do we get them to do it? How do we get them to believe us? I think, we show them. If I only had one thing to tell a child, it would be this. Dream. Dream big. Dream and don't let anyone or anything stop you from going after it. As long as you are not hurting anyone else, pursue your dream to the end, until it's achieved. So for me, it's easy. How could I tell a child to go after their dream if I don't go after mine. Boxing brings out the best in me. The people in my life, everyone I meet that becomes part of my life, they all deserve the best in me. Whatever I can give.
These youngsters really taught me something today. It's a responsibility we all have, to make ourselves better, to guide our youth through our actions, to help them help others, to achieve their dreams, to make the world a better place, through love and the old fashioned method of trying. I really feel grateful that I met these young people this week, their smiles, their laughter, their energy, it helped me gain even more clarity in what I'm doing, and the reasons I'm doing it. More importantly, it was a refreshing experience and reminder at how much joy it is to work with kids, how much you can give them, the knowledge, the wisdom, but really the best thing you can give them...is your time. And really, that was the best thing THEY gave me.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
A Day For Me To Smile
Before the tryouts last thursday, I came to terms. Although I knew that it would mean a lot to me to make the team, I also knew that my chances were small and that it wouldn't matter either way, my pursuit of my dream would still be on, so going into the tryouts my mindset was to not let the result determine my attitude going forward. Besides there are so many good boxers at our gym, there would be no shame in not making it.
A day after the tryouts, and the days coming into monday(the day the team would be posted) I was at peace with things. I did my best, got personal bests in everything, looked bad in sparring, got hurt bad(body is now bruised where I took the shot and experiencing some internal pain) but knew that I didn't take a knee, I didn't go down when I could've, when I know that many would have. Out of everything I took out of it, I took that. But I honestly felt that I didn't make the team, so when monday came, I went to the gym, trained with Lucas, got my work in and left. I didn't inquire about who made the team, in fact Lucas and I had a brief discussion, he even suggested that nothing had been determined yet. It didn't matter, my mind was actually on Denton, he was fighting the most important fight of his life, a fight that if he would won would change his immediate future in boxing, he would win the North American title, and he would then contend for a world title. If he won. I was nervous. I also felt the nerves of everyone at the gym, I would be corresponding with Jags with updates, and I could feel her anxiety along with EVERYONE at the gym. It was nervous time. Denton has meant so much to me as a boxer and friend, he has meant so much to everyone at BBSV. It would also be huge for Syd. And we all know how important Syd is to everyone in the community, especially his BBSV family. So actually, all my focus was on Denton's fight, I wanted him to win so badly, I was nervous.
Then I get sent 2 pictures on my phone. One was from Jags(Eryn Aguiar, runs BBSV) it was a picture of my friend D-Mac down on one knee, the other photo was from D-Mac, explaining why. It was a photo of the list of fighters that were on the 2013 GoldenGloves Team, my name was on it. I made the team. With a msg from D-Mac expressing his happiness that we were now officially teammates. For those of you that have followed my journey, you'll remember that D-Mac and I fought in my first and only exhibition fight. We've been close friends ever since. Devin also just avenged a loss on Sunday, he won a fight. So we were celebrating on many levels. Out of respect for my fellow BBSV boxers, I didn't want to blog, I know that they read it, and I have so much love and respect for them, they deserved to be on the team too. Everyone worked so hard and gave it everything they had, poored their heart and soul into that gym, into that tryout, we were all champions, regardless of who made that list. But I can't lie, I was happy, and I was emotional. Very. When I think of this journey, all the ups and mostly downs, everything that I have been through...There isn't much time to celebrate however, there is much work to be done, and it appears I have an injury, but Dr T will access that tomorrow, anyways, I've been in worse pain, I'm...used to it. If I've grown accustomed to anything, it's pain.
I allowed myself to be emotional for a bit, but my attention was quickly shifted to Dangerous Denton Daley. My friend, our friend. Someone we all look up to at the gym, we all love him. We've all seen him work his ass off, we've seen him help so many people, including me(Denton cornered my fight against Devin) he's always been there for me, ever since I joined the gym. He has time for everyone, he represents the gym and the community with class. Denton is our pride and joy. He's an extension of Syd, a champion in every way just like Syd was, like Syd is. Yesterday was a day I'll never forget, it was one of the happiest days of my life, I watched my friend and idol display an unreal show of boxing, it was an honour to be there, an honour to share the moment with THE NEW NABF CHAMPION, Dentooooooon, Dangerooooous, Daaaaaaaleeeeeey. 10 rounds to zero, he won.
A day after the tryouts, and the days coming into monday(the day the team would be posted) I was at peace with things. I did my best, got personal bests in everything, looked bad in sparring, got hurt bad(body is now bruised where I took the shot and experiencing some internal pain) but knew that I didn't take a knee, I didn't go down when I could've, when I know that many would have. Out of everything I took out of it, I took that. But I honestly felt that I didn't make the team, so when monday came, I went to the gym, trained with Lucas, got my work in and left. I didn't inquire about who made the team, in fact Lucas and I had a brief discussion, he even suggested that nothing had been determined yet. It didn't matter, my mind was actually on Denton, he was fighting the most important fight of his life, a fight that if he would won would change his immediate future in boxing, he would win the North American title, and he would then contend for a world title. If he won. I was nervous. I also felt the nerves of everyone at the gym, I would be corresponding with Jags with updates, and I could feel her anxiety along with EVERYONE at the gym. It was nervous time. Denton has meant so much to me as a boxer and friend, he has meant so much to everyone at BBSV. It would also be huge for Syd. And we all know how important Syd is to everyone in the community, especially his BBSV family. So actually, all my focus was on Denton's fight, I wanted him to win so badly, I was nervous.
Then I get sent 2 pictures on my phone. One was from Jags(Eryn Aguiar, runs BBSV) it was a picture of my friend D-Mac down on one knee, the other photo was from D-Mac, explaining why. It was a photo of the list of fighters that were on the 2013 GoldenGloves Team, my name was on it. I made the team. With a msg from D-Mac expressing his happiness that we were now officially teammates. For those of you that have followed my journey, you'll remember that D-Mac and I fought in my first and only exhibition fight. We've been close friends ever since. Devin also just avenged a loss on Sunday, he won a fight. So we were celebrating on many levels. Out of respect for my fellow BBSV boxers, I didn't want to blog, I know that they read it, and I have so much love and respect for them, they deserved to be on the team too. Everyone worked so hard and gave it everything they had, poored their heart and soul into that gym, into that tryout, we were all champions, regardless of who made that list. But I can't lie, I was happy, and I was emotional. Very. When I think of this journey, all the ups and mostly downs, everything that I have been through...There isn't much time to celebrate however, there is much work to be done, and it appears I have an injury, but Dr T will access that tomorrow, anyways, I've been in worse pain, I'm...used to it. If I've grown accustomed to anything, it's pain.
I allowed myself to be emotional for a bit, but my attention was quickly shifted to Dangerous Denton Daley. My friend, our friend. Someone we all look up to at the gym, we all love him. We've all seen him work his ass off, we've seen him help so many people, including me(Denton cornered my fight against Devin) he's always been there for me, ever since I joined the gym. He has time for everyone, he represents the gym and the community with class. Denton is our pride and joy. He's an extension of Syd, a champion in every way just like Syd was, like Syd is. Yesterday was a day I'll never forget, it was one of the happiest days of my life, I watched my friend and idol display an unreal show of boxing, it was an honour to be there, an honour to share the moment with THE NEW NABF CHAMPION, Dentooooooon, Dangerooooous, Daaaaaaaleeeeeey. 10 rounds to zero, he won.
Friday, March 1, 2013
The Tryout
The gym was packed. This was the second day of tryouts, I was unsure of how many there were yesterday, I didn't ask anybody, it didn't really matter anyway. Tonight it seemed like there were 100 people in the gym, but there were probably 30-40, I'm not sure, maybe less, definitely not more than 40, maybe even less than 30, again I'm not sure, but it didn't really matter. Syd called us in and broke it down. Burpees, 1-2-1(jab-right-jab) combos on the heavy bag, step-ups, then shark tank(sparring where you are surrounded by a whole ring of fighters and a fresh person is sent in to throw multiple punches and you must defend yourself). Syd set the standard numbers that were required to make the team automatically. IF you could do 75 burpees in 3 minutes(my record is 75), IF you could do 180 1-2-1 combos on the bag in 2 minutes(my record is 154) and IF you could do 70 step-ups in a minute, take 30 seconds rest then do another 70 in a minute(my record in a minute is 71)...If you hit these standard numbers you make the team AUTOMATICALLY. If not, you rely on shark tank....I'll spare you the drama.
I did 88 burpees, 174 1-2-1 combos, and 71 step-ups in the 1rst min, 70 in the 2nd min. I didn't hit the numbers I needed to make the team automatically, I fell 6 1-2-1 combos short. But I got my personal best numbers in everything, except the step-ups where I tied my best in the 1 rst minute and dug down deep to do 70 the next minute after only 30 seconds rest. Even though I didn't gain exemption after the physical testing I was unsure of how everyone else did, but just from hearing the numbers that were being called out it certainly felt like people were doing well. I was partnered with Devin(we counted for each other) I only knew how HE did, and he smashed every test, 88 burpees, 190 1-2-1s(I think) and 82 and 81 step ups respectively. My man. Devin shined, and I'm proud of him, and happy that he made the team, I expected no less from him. So I would need sharktank to score well. My legs were cramped up after the step-ups, I really gave it all I had, I was in a little trouble going into sharktank. I have no excuses though, I had ample rest before it was my turn, my heart was there, I just didn't recover in time.
Everyone did extremely well in sharktank too. When it was my turn, I was a little unfocused, trying to ignore the cramps in my legs.THEN I took a shot to the body by Roman Szlek(won Gold last year) and it knocked the wind out of me and took what little I had left in my legs, I've taken hard body shots before, but nothing like this, I couldn't breathe and stuggled to stand. But I didn't go down and didn't take a knee( I definitely felt like doing it) and although it wasn't the performance I was looking for, I finished the round standing and it might've looked bad to others but it was a proud moment for me personally. I showed heart, I think I did a good job of shielding how hurt I really was.
I was impressed with all the candidates and everyone that tried out, I felt like everyone brought their A-Game and it was good to see. You could tell how bad the guys(and girls) wanted it. The team gets posted monday, and I want to congratulate those that made the team automatically(there's a good chance that 16 people did for sure) and for those that didn't and maybe waiting for monday, keep your head up, be proud of your efforts, and no matter what, do your best to make OUR team, the BBSV team the best it can be in the upcoming weeks leading to the tournament. Remember that you are still representing Team Destiny, inside AND outside the ring, no matter if you are on the squad that goes to GoldenGloves, or if you are not.
On a personal note. I want to thank Lucas and Erika for so many things but spefically today for getting me as ready as I could be. I want to thank Syd too, for all his help, and for giving me an opportunity to do this. It was really fun. I want to also thank all those who sent me well wishes, I know some of you knew how imporatant this was to me. I know there are some looking down on me too, I know they will continue to give me that extra breath, that extra 20 seconds whenever I can't. In the grand scheme of things, I guess today doesn't matter, not compared to where I want to go in boxing. But actually EVERYTHING matters, which is why it is important to TRY. Try your best, at any and everything you do. That's what life is about, trying. I did that today, and for that, I'm proud.
I did 88 burpees, 174 1-2-1 combos, and 71 step-ups in the 1rst min, 70 in the 2nd min. I didn't hit the numbers I needed to make the team automatically, I fell 6 1-2-1 combos short. But I got my personal best numbers in everything, except the step-ups where I tied my best in the 1 rst minute and dug down deep to do 70 the next minute after only 30 seconds rest. Even though I didn't gain exemption after the physical testing I was unsure of how everyone else did, but just from hearing the numbers that were being called out it certainly felt like people were doing well. I was partnered with Devin(we counted for each other) I only knew how HE did, and he smashed every test, 88 burpees, 190 1-2-1s(I think) and 82 and 81 step ups respectively. My man. Devin shined, and I'm proud of him, and happy that he made the team, I expected no less from him. So I would need sharktank to score well. My legs were cramped up after the step-ups, I really gave it all I had, I was in a little trouble going into sharktank. I have no excuses though, I had ample rest before it was my turn, my heart was there, I just didn't recover in time.
Everyone did extremely well in sharktank too. When it was my turn, I was a little unfocused, trying to ignore the cramps in my legs.THEN I took a shot to the body by Roman Szlek(won Gold last year) and it knocked the wind out of me and took what little I had left in my legs, I've taken hard body shots before, but nothing like this, I couldn't breathe and stuggled to stand. But I didn't go down and didn't take a knee( I definitely felt like doing it) and although it wasn't the performance I was looking for, I finished the round standing and it might've looked bad to others but it was a proud moment for me personally. I showed heart, I think I did a good job of shielding how hurt I really was.
I was impressed with all the candidates and everyone that tried out, I felt like everyone brought their A-Game and it was good to see. You could tell how bad the guys(and girls) wanted it. The team gets posted monday, and I want to congratulate those that made the team automatically(there's a good chance that 16 people did for sure) and for those that didn't and maybe waiting for monday, keep your head up, be proud of your efforts, and no matter what, do your best to make OUR team, the BBSV team the best it can be in the upcoming weeks leading to the tournament. Remember that you are still representing Team Destiny, inside AND outside the ring, no matter if you are on the squad that goes to GoldenGloves, or if you are not.
On a personal note. I want to thank Lucas and Erika for so many things but spefically today for getting me as ready as I could be. I want to thank Syd too, for all his help, and for giving me an opportunity to do this. It was really fun. I want to also thank all those who sent me well wishes, I know some of you knew how imporatant this was to me. I know there are some looking down on me too, I know they will continue to give me that extra breath, that extra 20 seconds whenever I can't. In the grand scheme of things, I guess today doesn't matter, not compared to where I want to go in boxing. But actually EVERYTHING matters, which is why it is important to TRY. Try your best, at any and everything you do. That's what life is about, trying. I did that today, and for that, I'm proud.
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