Page 116 - Doug Werner Boxer's Start-Up

Chapter Twelve:

Boxer’s Journal:

Author’s Six-Month Journey

INTO THE MIX 7-24-97: Lesson #1
Big Al
I met Al during my fencing instruction earlier this year.He was a stu-
dent as well and had the makings of a damn fine fencer until a bum
knee forced him to drop out. Possessed with amazing speed and
reflexes,it came as no surprise when he told me he used to box.He
now coaches high-school football and teaches boxing also.The idea
of taking boxing lessons was intriguing and for several weeks it sim-
mered in my head until I finally realized that I really wanted to give
it a try and that I better do this thing.

Al’s about 30, big and powerful, yet trim and fit. He’s been boxing
since he was a little kid and used to compete on an amateur level
(winning 90% of his fights) although he shows none of the wear
and tear one might expect. He’s clear and sharp with his instruc-
tions, speaks in a rapid staccato and obviously loves everything
about his art. Throughout the hour-long lesson he embellishes
instruction with snippets about famous fighters as well as his own
experiences. He’s a very good teacher.

This is a Gym?
I meet him at the gym he works out of in La Jolla (if gym is the word
to use for a place populated with gorgeous women in tights. Spa?
Health club? Carrot juice bar?). We shake hands and he takes me
through the rows of glittering equipment to a glassed-in room off to
the side.The smallish room has a big punching bag hanging from
the ceiling and one of those smaller head-sized things you always
see fighters effortlessly whaling away on in the movies when
they’re talking to reporters.One entire wall is mirrored so that I can
witness every clumsy step of my lesson.

Man, I look fat.

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