Fight Last Night

[Youngblood]

Last night, Saturday, had our In House show, fighting the main event. This was a fundraiser for our upcoming tournaments. Going into it, I knew I had no chance of winning the fight. Like zero. Fighting a guy nearly 10 years older with much more experience, and one of our provinces and countries best...also, my regular sparring partner. Still, to this point have not lost a fight, so could not get to thinking about losing, only what I could do to win.

Well I didn't win it. I did give it the best I had I felt. It wasn't even a scored fight, more an exhibition. I knew if I went hard, I risked pissing off my opponent and facing his wrath. So of course I gave it my all. First round I think I even won, my coach says I did. 2nd and 3rd round I got owned. Probably not as bad as it felt, but it felt bad afterwards. I was upset. Upset because I clearly didn't win, and because of the punch to the throat and back of the head I received. But moreso...I think, because of pride. My pride took its first beating. And this, even knowing going into it..I had no chance.

I suppose there was a lesson here. I'm just not sure yet what that lesson is. Humility maybe? I might be feeling a bit humbled, but if anything, I am kinda angered. As in, now all I can think about is how long it will take before I can beat this person. I know I will be able to one day, although that is likely not what I should be thinking about. He's not even close to in my category, in experience, age or class. I know some of you will respond, or think about responding with 'losing is a part of it' etc...but I don't feel that way. I don't ever think that losing is part of it. Maybe there is a lesson to it, but it is not one I want as a regular part of my understanding of boxing. Every time I step in the ring, I want to win, and in fact expect to.

So I guess this is sort of rambling, but that is where I am at. Trying to sort it out. Next stop will be fighting against someone my age, in my category and for provincials and nationals beginning Oct. So back on track and on course I go. Slightly bruised ego, bit of a sore throat, trying to make sense and gather up what it is that stands in front of me, and what I need to get it.

Anyway, no excuses, no regrets. Just onward.

[donnydarkoIRL]

10 years older and he couldn't really hurt you.


Something tells me in 10 years time you're going to be an awful lot better than he ever was, is or will ever be

[Sharla]

I don't think you have to think of it as loosing - just a learning experience and it sounds like you actually did well!

I can't say I like the feeling myself but I do believe that sometimes you learn a lot more from the bouts you loose than the ones you win. What you have to improve is made clearer and you remember it more so than you probably would a bout where you were too good for your opponent.

Maybe just think of the experience as a tool because you can't really loose against someone in a different class/ with much more experience/ more weight. You win just to survive ok!

[Trainer Monkey]

One thing to keep in mind,NEVER go in to a fight thinking your going to lose. Youve allready lost something right there.
Happy for you that you acquitted yourself well regardless

[sourpuss]

10 years older and he couldn't really hurt you.


Something tells me in 10 years time you're going to be an awful lot better than he ever was, is or will ever be

I agree.

I know this wasn't your first fight Youngblood, but I've always said that I think it's good if people lose their first fight. It's the amateurs and you really can't care about losing. You gave a more experienced boxer a really though fight, that's huge. Losing stinks, especially when you know you lost because your opponent is simply better. But giving your all in a situation where you are the definite underdog, to me, is winning. A lot of guys wouldn't even get in the ring if they weren't sure they'd win. I see that a lot and to me, they are cowards.

The higher level of opponents you face, the smaller the skill and experience gap becomes with every fight. Does that make sense? It's always better to fight people better than you. Sure, we all love winning. But to me, learning and improving trumps winning any day.

Good job!

[leggy]

by the sounds of it you lost before you got in the ring ! you should never go into a fight thinking your going to lose
also 10 years older and a lot more experienced then you, you shouldnt of fought him in the first place ! keep your chin up and work on what you did wrong

[Youngblood]

When you are going in fighting someone you spar on average 2 times a week, you should know where you stand. I could give some examples of people who clearly go into fights either lying about where they are at, or are completely delusional. Know what I mean?

Leggy, why shouldn't I go into a exhibition match against someone 10 years older and with lots more experience? I do it all the time, in sparring and in these type of shows because it is the best competition I can find. There is no one remotely close in age or class that I can get a good fight with within 10-12 hrs, Ontario or Michigan. So it is/was good experience. And yea Sharla, I believe I did learn something. It actually was closer then I am likely making it seem in retrospect. So what did I learn?

For starters I found out I do not like to lose. ha

What I could have done, was gone in and played pitter patter like others who have had to face him...made some kinda agreement, "you don't hit me too hard, I don't hit you too hard" as others have, for fear of taking a beating, but that is not who I am. So I learned that. I forced him to bring everything he had, including a couple of cheap shots. And you are correct Donny, he could not hurt me. He tried...but just couldn't.

Today talking to club members most everyone told me their thoughts, which were that I am going to be passing him...and soon. 6 months ago when I arrived at this club I couldn't touch him, but in that time the gap has quickly closed. He knows it too, and I don't think likes it. It fuels my fire. Next week it will be exactly 2 years since I walked thru the doors of a boxing club. I know I learn fast, but still have lots to learn and room to grow. So there is that. I'll probably be sparring him this week again...and know I owe him a cheap shot or 2 back, and maybe I'll deliver it, maybe not, still not sure. We'll see ...

Anyway, yea. A day later and some hindsight and I'm guessing I have learned from it. I think I learned a bit more about myself, and I'm ok with what I see. The technique and conditioning stuff will come along as it should.

[frasd]

You seem very mature and speak like a seasoned fighter for a kid your age. (actually for anyone under 25) If you bring that same maturity to the ring I have no doubt you have a future there. Best of luck to you.

[Trainer Monkey]

When you are going in fighting someone you spar on average 2 times a week, you should know where you stand. I could give some examples of people who clearly go into fights either lying about where they are at, or are completely delusional. Know what I mean?

Leggy, why shouldn't I go into a exhibition match against someone 10 years older and with lots more experience? I do it all the time, in sparring and in these type of shows because it is the best competition I can find. There is no one remotely close in age or class that I can get a good fight with within 10-12 hrs, Ontario or Michigan. So it is/was good experience. And yea Sharla, I believe I did learn something. It actually was closer then I am likely making it seem in retrospect. So what did I learn?

For starters I found out I do not like to lose. ha

What I could have done, was gone in and played pitter patter like others who have had to face him...made some kinda agreement, "you don't hit me too hard, I don't hit you too hard" as others have, for fear of taking a beating, but that is not who I am. So I learned that. I forced him to bring everything he had, including a couple of cheap shots. And you are correct Donny, he could not hurt me. He tried...but just couldn't.

Today talking to club members most everyone told me their thoughts, which were that I am going to be passing him...and soon. 6 months ago when I arrived at this club I couldn't touch him, but in that time the gap has quickly closed. He knows it too, and I don't think likes it. It fuels my fire. Next week it will be exactly 2 years since I walked thru the doors of a boxing club. I know I learn fast, but still have lots to learn and room to grow. So there is that. I'll probably be sparring him this week again...and know I owe him a cheap shot or 2 back, and maybe I'll deliver it, maybe not, still not sure. We'll see ...

Anyway, yea. A day later and some hindsight and I'm guessing I have learned from it. I think I learned a bit more about myself, and I'm ok with what I see. The technique and conditioning stuff will come along as it should.

No,what you could have done,is whupped his a$$
Dont ever go in to a fight hoping you dont look bad
Go in to a fight looking to kick the other guys teeth in

[Sharla]

I have gone into a bout with the thought that "If I loose it's going to be ok and I'm just going to have fun".

That was one of my best bouts and I won. I think it worked because it took the pressure off and let me concentrate on what really mattered - my guard, my movement, my form.

Everything you read about sports psychology suggests that people who are more process focussed than result focussed tend to be more successful. I think that's why.

I don't agree that going in knowing you might loose is a problem unless you dwell on it and can't think about what you want to actually do in there.

[Bomp]

I have gone into a bout with the thought that "If I loose it's going to be ok and I'm just going to have fun".

That was one of my best bouts and I won. I think it worked because it took the pressure off and let me concentrate on what really mattered - my guard, my movement, my form.

Everything you read about sports psychology suggests that people who are more process focussed than result focussed tend to be more successful. I think that's why.

I don't agree that going in knowing you might loose is a problem unless you dwell on it and can't think about what you want to actually do in there.

Some good points, there is a world of difference between competing while accepting the possibility of losing and competing when you believe you can't win.

[Douglas]

Leggy, why shouldn't I go into a exhibition match against someone 10 years older and with lots more experience? I do it all the time, in sparring and in these type of shows because it is the best competition I can find.

That's how you get better, by facing those who are tougher than you.

What I could have done, was gone in and played pitter patter like others who have had to face him...made some kinda agreement, "you don't hit me too hard, I don't hit you too hard" as others have, for fear of taking a beating, but that is not who I am. So I learned that. I forced him to bring everything he had, including a couple of cheap shots. And you are correct Donny, he could not hurt me. He tried...but just couldn't.

And it shouldn't be.

[Youngblood]

Hey all,

Thread is still going strong I see. ha. well good.

All is well here. Busy adjusting to going back to school, working a part-time job and working out in prep. for upcoming fights and tours. Takes some fancy rearranging and discipline, but things are looking good. Have a few santioned matchs in the next few weeks so long as my opponents don't back out. Have provincials for novice coming up, and likely for open shortly after that. One of the things that has been holding me back my coach feels as far as getting sanctioned matches is getting anyone with similar age or experience to go. So basically we are looking to fast track it into open category and hopfully by end of Oct. will be there. So that means provincial novice and then provincial opens within the same month. Will depend on how things go.

Will be nice to fight someone my age for a change, or atleast within a year or two. Very much looking forward to it.

For the record and in retrospct I don't regret how the fight in this thread went at all. Fighting an open fighter who is the best of the best, 10 years older and mops the floors with fighters here and golden glovers from the states, and holding my own against him...much as I hated losing, it does now give me great confidence to fight in my own category.

Likely won't be on here as much as before, for just simply too busy, but do miss adding and learning from you all. Appreciate everyones responses and will keep yas posted on how things shape up in months to come.

Thanks again and best to you all. Punches in bunches,

YB