Page 117 - Doug Werner Boxer's Start-Up

Journal

Putting on Looking Good! (I Think)
We start with the wraps which are cloth
the gloves strips that cover and protect the knuckles of
the hand and thumb. Al has me hold my
is a little hands out, palms down, fingers spread as he
wraps and wraps the longish cloth (like an
thrilling. Ace bandage) around each of my mitts.
There’s a special way to wrap and I’m
Like expected to learn it right away so that I can
suiting up do it myself.When he’s done I make a fist and
the wrap tightens around my hand. I look in
for battle the mirror and think yeah it’s happening.
There is no doubt. I’m a boxing student.
or some-
He shows me the stance, which is a little
thing. more complicated than I might have
guessed. I settle into a surfer’s stance with
my left foot forward since I’m right-handed.
At this point I’m sorta surfing in the direction of my imagined oppo-
nent.Then he has me place my right foot out a bit so that my right
heel lines up with my left foot’s toes.Then I pivot on both heels and
swing my toes 45 degrees toward the target. Feet are well apart,
about shoulder width, and my knees are flexed in order to assume
an athletic posture.

Chin is tucked down so that I’m actually peering up. Arms are held
close to the sides (like golf) with the forearms running straight up
like two pillars protecting my ribs.Fists are about eye level on either
side of my face and held in close. Looking into the mirror I think I
look the part of a budding boxer and I’m feeling pretty frisky.

Arthur Murray Must Have Been a Middleweight
Then we move. Up and back, side to side.The lead foot leads and
you never cross over.This is sorta like fencing. Up and back is easy,
side to side is trickier, especially going frontside which feels (and
looks) like lumbering. I’m told that’s normal and why most fighters
like to move to their backside versus their frontside. I’m doing OK
with all this ...three steps up ...three steps back ...three steps back-
side ... three steps frontside ... then Al introduces rhythm.

Boxers never stand stock still. Even when they aren’t traveling they

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