I find that getting hit is a small price to pay for the satisfaction I get from hitting somebody back.

My biggest battle, like so many fighters, even very good fighters, is to control nervous energy in the ring. I'm not talking about being scared - more hyper and overanxious. I think that relaxed mind and body can only come from many more rounds than I have sparred and focusing on trying to improve in that area.

All of my sparring has been tightly controlled. I'm still a rookie, and the guys in my guy who are fighters or spar regularly are way ahead of me, so my coach puts tight controls on the work, but Saturday, I'm going to get a real session in, finally. I'm very much looking forward to it.