Fight Focus

This past Thursday night was another boxing show. Instead of meeting Coach at the gym and getting a ride with him, I took public transportation. It looked as if Coach might have had a carload of people. Lately, it appears he's always having to chauffer boxers back and forth, no doubt putting wear and tear on his vehicle. Wasn't going to hurt me to take public transportation that time. Not many in our gym have cars. Wish I still had mine, but some guy with a lead foot totaled the Cavalier back in July. If I still had it, I could help to get people to the fights.

Little Slugger, one of the kids in the youth boxing program, won his fourth fight, but made a mistake that no fighter should: he let his anger get the best of him. His opponent was a barrel-chested boy who was slightly husky than Little Slugger. Unlike the last three opponents, that boy wasn't going to go down easy. I guess Little Slugger didn't take kindly to the hard shots. The next thing I knew, he had shoved the other kid to the mat. Little Slugger had a look on his face as if to say, "Take that!" I was surprised that Swifty, the referee, didn't penalize him for that.

Youngster, who is in the adult boxing program, crapped out on getting a match for the umpteenth time. Last year, he had no end of opportunities. Not only have the opponents disappeared, but there's a lack of sparring partners in the gym, as well. Doesn't help that he didn't win the last few fights he had, either. The kid has talent, but his confidence is down, and it needs a boost.

Tonight at the gym, Youngster sparred for four rounds with Old Pops. Friday is normally sparring night. Coach had to take care of some business, so he wasn't there tonight. Sparring is usually not allowed when he is not there. It's a liability thing. Somebody gets hurt when Coach is not monitoring the action, and everyone could find themselves looking at lawsuits. However, Old Pops is a former professional boxer who has expressed an interest in working with Youngster. Old Pops wasn't going to let it get out of hand. I was watching too, just in case.

Every time Coach is gone and leaves me in charge, guys who are not signed up for the class stroll in. It's not long before they ask can then hit the bags, or get into the ring. Many of them think because they've watched a few fights on HBO, or been in several street fights, they can do it with no problem. Coach is a lot nicer than me in the same situation. Guess it's because some guys don't take women seriously, especially if they are short like me, that I get little hard with the wannabes. One character waltzes in and says, "Who wants to go a few rounds with me?" Youngster, College Man and I started at the guy and said nothing. The guy motioned to Youngster, who was standing the ring, but he was waved off. "What time is it?" Youngster asked, just as the guy decided to try on some head gear. "Just about closing time," I said firmly and loudly. The guy took the head gear off in a hurry, mumbled something about wanting to get his box on, and eased back out on the basketball court next door. Women come by on ocassion, but they usually just watch and stay out of the way.