There is an “I” in “Team.”

“Team Gatti,” “Team De La Hoya,” and “Team Morales.” The term “team” is very common on the jackets of corner-men, cut-men, and other personnel of a fighter’s entourage, yet boxing is the ultimate individual sport. Yes, fighters are often accompanied by several people to weigh-ins, media conferences, and the walk into the ring, but once that bell rings, where are the rest of the “team” members? Well, some are in the corner watching and waiting for that very short one minute in between the rounds to spring into action with advice, an endswell, water, or just some comforting words of encouragement. Others are in the stands having a beer and playing “passenger seat boxer,” yelling things like “the jab! Use the jab! He’s open for the hook to the body! Come on man hit him!” Yet, neither the corner-man, the cut-men, nor the “passenger seat boxer” can help a fighter once they are engaged in the heat of battle.

The team is quickly reduced to “I” for three very long, hard, and painful minutes. As much as one yells instructions or tries to help their gladiator during the course of combat, I can tell you from my experiences in a ring, BOXERS DO NOT HEAR THE MAJORITY OF WHAT IS YELLED TO THEM AS IT ENDS UP LOST IN TRANSLATION! My memories of the gym wars I had are: receiving instructions in the corner, taking a sip of water, focusing on my plan of attack based on what I learned from my opponent in the last round, and making sure that I was properly taking in deep breaths to help with my stamina.

Once that bell would ring, my mind was focused on getting my combinations off, sidestepping the incoming, and making adjustments based on what my fellow combatant was doing. Every now and then, I could hear my trainer saying things like “get out of there! Stick the jab! Step around his lead leg!” Now, my experience is based on non-professional fights. I was never under the lights, and eyes of thousands, and in some cases, millions of people. I can only imagine what a fighter must go through in those situations.

Some are completely oblivious to the crowd, while others seem to thrive on the cheers of the fans. And there are some that crumble under that kind of stress. Throw in some broken bones, sprained wrists, and/or broken noses, and the “team” really shows its individualism, as “they” cannot bring someone in from the bench to replace the injured fighter. Bad corner advice, poor cut-men, and “leeches” that distract fighters during their preparations for a fight can be factors of why a fighter loses, but in the end, a fighter is the ultimate person responsible for his or her successes or failures. The McGirt’s, Goossen’s, and Roach’s of the world can help a fighter improve with training and teachings, but once that bell rings, and the only other person in that ring other than the two warriors is the referee, the “team” is in full force and on its own.

Sergio Martinez can be reached at srg_mrtnz@yahoo.com