At this point, I’m sure most readers here are familiar with the now famous speech that Sylvester Stallone delivered in the final Rocky Balboa movie in 2006. I posted the actual scene to the blog a few years ago. I have also posted the kinetic typography version below.

Despite originating from a fictional movie, the message from the speech is quite powerful. It is no surprise that it quickly became Youtube gold. The speech has been uploaded many times with most versions receiving thousands of views.

Yet despite its popularity, there will always be those who say it is just a movie. They need to see real world examples to understand and believe the message. Fortunately, we don’t need to look far to find several real world displays. The sport of boxing offers countless examples.

The video below captures many of these memorable moments. You will see fighters who are forced to deal with adversity. They must rise up from the canvas and fight through pain and fatigue to become victorious.

The truth is always on display when a fighter enters the ring. Courage cannot be faked. You either have it or you don’t. It’s only a matter of time before you and the rest of the world find out.

+++++

Adversity introduces a man to himself.

Below are two Mike Tyson videos that were recently recommended to me (Part 1 and 2). When I first opened the videos, I didn’t expect to be posting them to the blog. I’ve already posted several Tyson clips over the years.

I quickly changed my mind however. This tribute series is as good as any. If you grew up watching Tyson like me, expect to be glued to the screen while watching.

Two thumbs up…

+++++

I tell my kids, what is the difference between a hero and a coward? What is the difference between being yellow and being brave? No difference. Only what you do. They both feel the same. They both fear dying and getting hurt. The man who is yellow refuses to face up to what he’s got to face. The hero is more disciplined and he fights those feelings off and he does what he has to do. But they both feel the same, the hero and the coward. People who watch you judge you on what you do, not how you feel. – Cus D’Amato

Although I’ve posted a similar documentary before, I believe many will enjoy the following film as well. The embedded player below contains an hour long documentary that is dedicated to the Cuban amateur boxing system.

The film follows the stories of three young Cuban hopefuls as they prepare for the Cuban National Boxing Championships. Any fan of the sport should find the documentary interesting, moving, and enjoyable.

+++++

He who is outside his door has the hardest part of his journey behind him. – Dutch Proverb

Thanks to everyone who came out to support us Saturday night at the Mohegan Sun Casino.  Chip Perez fought well to earn a unanimous six round decision on ESPN2.

Afterward, I was fortunate to meet a few people in the crowd who frequent the site so thank you again for all of your support.

+++++

Here we are warming up moments before walking to the ring…

And here is Chip in action…

Additional highlights can be seen through the Facebook video below:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151700769745188

+++++

The average person has very little understanding of what goes on in boxing. They think back to when they were kids or whenever it was they saw two people fighting for the first time – a real fight with people trying to hurt each other. Maybe they saw someone get his mouth cut up, or a broken nose. That’s what people think of when they watch boxing. But there’s a difference between being the toughest kid on the street and knowing how to fight. A lot of guys are undefeated in street fights and big losers in the ring. That is because boxing is more than a sport. It’s a skill. – Sugar Ray Leonard

Following a recent entry on Bruce Lee, one reader informed me that a previous documentary that had been posted to the site was no longer available. Fortunately, I was able to find another Youtube video that contains the entire 90+ minute documentary.

You can watch the full movie within the embedded player below.

Although his accomplishments and abilities are perhaps the most debated topic in the martial arts community, we can all agree that Bruce Lee was a pioneer and a tremendous influence to other fighters around the world, both past and present.  I’m sure I speak for many when I say that I grew up watching and reading about Bruce Lee.  He was certainly an inspiration to me.

In his own words,

“Absorb what is useful, discard what is not, add what is uniquely your own.”

Below is a video that was posted to this blog once before (in October 2011). Unfortunately, the original video was removed from Youtube.

For those who missed the first entry, the video was filmed in 1981 (yes, over 30 years ago). Within the footage, you will see several Russian boxers training with many exercises that have been popularized again in recent years. You’ll see bag drills, barbell exercises, medicine ball throws, bodyweight movements, and more.

Once again, successful training strategies for competitive fighters have been around for a long time. Those who believe otherwise are those who have failed to look at the past.

+++++

Don’t reinvent the wheel, just realign it. – Anthony J. D’Angelo

I rarely use this blog to promote local events as many readers visit the site from various countries. I would like to mention an upcoming show however that will take place May 5th at the Mohegan Sun Casino. On that night, several local professional boxers will be featured on a six fight card. Among those fighting will be lightweight prospect Chip Perez. I train Chip and will be working his corner that night. If you live in the area, I encourage you to check out the show. I will be around all night so come on down and say hello.

Following the live fights, you will also be able to watch the Mayweather vs. Cotto and Canelo vs. Mosley pay-per-view fights on the big screen within the Mohegan Sun Arena. The PPV show will be free to everyone with a fight ticket. Tickets are available for $35 (less than the cost of PPV if you order from home).

As for the upcoming Mayweather vs. Cotto fight, a promotional video courtesy of Gorilla Productions can be seen below.

I hope to see some of you at the show!

First The Fight

I rarely use this blog to share highlights from recent fights, but I feel compelled to express a few thoughts about Saturday’s rematch between Juan Manuel Lopez and WBO featherweight champion Orlando Salido. For starters, it was an exciting bout that should have received more hype than it did. This fight had all the makings for non-stop action with both fighters giving and receiving their share of punishment. It did not disappoint in that regard.

In what may go down as fight of the year, Juanma and Salido also treated fans to one of the best rounds that they’ve seen in years. Take a look at the back and forth action experienced in the 9th round. Despite both men already being hurt and fatigued, they laid it all on the line without a hint of caution.

Shortly after, Salido finished Juanma early in the 10th round.

It is action fights like this that the sport needs and the fans deserve to see. Anyone who follows boxing or is involved in any way knew that this fight would be a war. Unfortunately, few outside the diehard boxing crowd knew of the fight or had heard of both fighters. How does the sport pass up the opportunity to promote a bout that was destined to turn into a reckless slugfest?

I’m sick and tired of hearing that the sport is dead when fights like this still take place. Unfortunately, most reporters would rather waste time fantasizing about fights that may never happen (ie. Pacquiao vs. Mayweather). Why not give some ink to the fighters who are actually fighting and willing to take risks? Contrary to what the public has been told, there are still plenty of quality fights to be seen.

Post-Fight Comments

Shifting gears entirely, I’d also like to address the comments that were made by Juanma following his knockout loss in the 10th round. During his post-fight interview inside the ring, Juanma made some derogatory comments towards referee Roberto Ramirez. Shortly after, the WBO imposed sanctions against Juanma with a suspension.

To begin, I certainly wish he never said anything about the referee. There is no denying that he made a mistake. My problem however isn’t with his comments, as much as it is with the backlash that has followed. Certain boxing writers have vilified Juanma for speaking out against the referee.

I’ll admit, as I watched his interview live, I immediately thought to myself, “What the hell is his thinking?” He was clearly out of line. He should not have made those comments.

With that said, fans and writers must realize that he was interviewed moments after the action seen in the two videos above. How can we expect a fighter who has just been through 10 rounds of hell to be calm and collected when being interviewed inside the ring? He’s literally forced to go from savage beast where he’s fighting his heart out, to being interviewed in front of millions of people.

On top of that, he’s also forced to deal with strong emotions after losing a rematch that has been on his mind for the past year. He’s trained hours and hours, day after day, solely for this fight. Is it fair to criticize a man who is clearly overtaken by emotions and fatigue? He was also just knocked down and unable to continue. If he isn’t physically able to continue the fight, how can we expect him to be mentally sharp during an interview that is conducted seconds later?

Can you imagine taking hundreds of punches, being knocked down and exhausted, and then forced to share your feelings to the entire world? Are you sure that you would express yourself clearly and coherently?

I doubt I would, particularly if I had just lost something that meant so much to me. Haven’t we all been in situations where our emotions got the best of us? Isn’t that part of being human? Perhaps the rest of us should just be fortunate that we don’t have a camera in our face when our emotions do take over.

In addition, we as spectators to the fight have a different view of what took place. We all saw that Juanma was clearly hurt in the 10th round. The fighter who is taking the punches has an entirely different perspective. He is literally on the verge of being knocked unconscious. He does not have a clear state of mind. Juanma honestly thought that he could continue in the 10th round. As he looks back, he will see how hurt he was, but at the time, he thought that he could continue. Is it really a surprise that he made derogatory comments after? In his mind, he was certain that he had been wronged.

Furthermore, it is important to realize that many professional fighters have been fighting since they were kids. Many turn pro at a young age and never receive a formal education. Juanma did not go to college, nor did he take courses in public speaking. I think back to my own experiences in school. It took me a long time to become comfortable speaking in front of large crowds. I still remember feeling uncomfortable speaking in front of 15 classmates in an early college course. Learning to speak properly in front of large groups is not easy, particularly if you have never been taught how.

In summary, trainers and managers should learn from what happened on Saturday night. Prep your fighters with a few pointers about dealing with post-fight interviews. Tell the fighter to keep his answers brief. As a fighter continues to talk, it becomes more likely that he will say something that doesn’t make sense. He can always just say that he needs to sit down and watch the tape before commenting on what went right or wrong. It is much more difficult for the media to criticize a short answer. Don’t give them what they want. Keep your answers brief and then release a public statement a few days later if necessary.

The video below shows a group of aspiring wrestlers from the city of Dakar in Western Africa. As you’ll see within, training equipment is essentially nonexistent. Fortunately, these wrestlers make due without the tools that so many assume to be prerequisites for successful training and development.

These wrestlers are a prime example of the old saying, where there’s a will, there’s a way. As we’ve seen before, if you want something bad enough, you’ll find or create the means to get it done.

In summary, it is up to you to make the most of what you have. Fortunately, there is often considerable room to improve with little or nothing.

+++++

To hell with circumstances; I create opportunities. – Bruce Lee

Time certainly flies.  It has been over three months since the passing of legendary boxer Joe Frazier.  When I first heard the news in early November, I posted several videos of him to the blog.  Unfortunately, I learned last night that two of the videos had been removed from Youtube. While working to correct the entry this morning, I came across a new tribute video that was created a few days ago.  It is among the best I’ve seen.  Therefore, rather than adding it the old entry, I’d rather post it here for everyone to see.

If you are a fan of boxing, I’m sure you will enjoy it.

+++++

I got a burlap sack, put a brick in the middle, and filled it with rags, corncobs, some Spanish moss, and sand. I hung that sack off the branch of an oak tree. I’d wrap my hands with a necktie of my daddy’s and punch at it. My mom gave me an hour a day. My brothers and sisters said, “Nah.” I said, “You’ll see.” – Joe Frazier