Page 126 - Doug Werner Boxer's Start-Up

Chapter Twelve

If you keep thinking about what’s coming, it’s gonna be all over!

Of course, easier said than done. It’s only natural to flinch and hesi-
tate when you’re under attack. Al catches me off guard plenty with
his change ups, but that’s cool. I get better and pretty soon I’m
doing pretty darn good --- smacking the mitts,fending off the blows
and hitting back with the right counterpunches. It’s great fun and
I’m pleased that my punches are snapping on the sweetspot and
that I’m in balance most of the time. It’s so easy to lose that center
of gravity when you’re whaling away.

During the lesson some older fellow comes into the room to hit the
overhead bag.He hits away and rests,hits away and rests,and when
he rests, he looks at me and mumbles encouragement that I can’t
really hear, but it’s nice that he’s rooting just the same. And I’m
pleased with myself for drilling so well with an audience (of sorts).
We work on the left hook a bit and Al reminds me of the stepping
drill to use with the hook in order to force myself to step into the
punch. I gotta remember to incorporate that into my home
workout.

At one point he has me land a series of rights and lefts upon his
mitts which he places high overhead.This reaching and punching is
a mean workout. I feel it in my stomach, arms and back.We go in
series of ten for about ten times and it’s all I can do to finish the
drill. I’m so bushed that I’m thinking the lesson is over, but then Al
points to the heavy bag (this guy’s gonna kill me!).

Al wants me to go two rounds on the bag. First as a lightweight
(with technique and quick footwork), then as a BIG PUNCHING
heavyweight.Well, rounds are three minutes long, but since I’m so
tired they seem eternal. I start off OK but soon my arms drag and
loose their speed. I drop my guard, throw off the wrong foot, pant,
wheeze and sweat ... sweat ... sweat.After the three minutes, I rest
for one teeny minute before I stumble through round two and I
mean stumble. Afterward,I ask Al if my form was as bad as it felt.He
just says yep.

As I take off gloves and wraps I ask about boxing somebody as
opposed to some bag. He says we’ll start into that slowly when I
can throw the punches, defend myself and last three rounds. He

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