Page 137 - Doug Werner Boxer's Start-Up

Journal

That punch rights at a mitt and Al throws jabs and
lefts at my face. I don’t slip very well
has lost me a today. Actually, I forget the fundamen-
tals and do this pawing and reaching
few clients, that gets me punched time and time
again.I’m mad at myself for performing
he says. You so miserably: dancing around, sticking
my face in his striking zone, little head
definitely movement, leaning back, slapping my
have the punches, hesitating, letting Al dictate
the action, you name it. I say after 34
right attitude. lessons I’m not showing a thing!

Al says I did better last session, but at
least I realize all my mistakes and that’s what matters at this point.
After all, this is only the third or fourth sparring session.Actually
Alan is happy enough with my improvement overall and particu-
larly impressed with the way I took a left hook to the body today.

This punch stung and for about a long second really shut me down.
I just sorta went Oh! when it landed and we both knew I needed a
short break to come back to life. I got back on it, however, fairly
quickly. The thing is,hurties are gonna happen and you simply gotta
learn to suck it up if you wanna spar. Al says that punch separates
those who continue and those who quit. I remembered his story
about the dentist with the broken rib. That punch has lost me a
few clients he says. You definitely have the right attitude.

So I’m coming back. I know I can spar better than I did today, and
outside of the occasional incoming bomb, it’s absolutely exhila-
rating.
ATTA BOY!
12-23-97: Lesson #36
The rib hurt like hell for a day or two. I thought it was busted, but
yesterday I did a full workout without repercussion, so here we go.

On the pillar Al had me work on lighter, quicker jabs. He says most
of my jabs are loaded and that I ought to mix it up with faster,snap-
pier ones, too. Again the emphasis on mixing it up --- presenting a
less predictable game plan. Also tips for my hook --- the need to snap
it back. Al says the hook is looking all right, otherwise. The most

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