Page 142 - Doug Werner Boxer's Start-Up

Chapter Twelve

seems like Al’s always 10 feet away. He, however, has no problem
landing anything he wants. This goes on for one round. I slip some
and maybe graze him with a punch or two, but I’m totally out-
classed. It’s pretty much the same for the next round. I try ducking
in with body shots,but again I’m too far away. At one point I charge
in and get walloped good with jabs and hooks. I glance over to the
viewing window and there’s a guy looking in.I’m thinking great,I’m
looking like a bum out here and I’ve got an audience.

Later on I lose it.I guess (it’s all guessing when you’re in the middle
of all this --- so much intensity) it happens when I try to come in and
get slapped around for the umpteenth time. I start yelling through
my mouthpiece and stamping my feet. It’s so ridiculous. I mean,
here I am boxing and getting so mad I wanna hit something --- but
I can’t.So I throw this fit,which immediately makes me feel like the
biggest fool on earth.Al says Cool it! Get back to it! Things like that.
I’m embarrassed and say I’m not mad at you. I’m mad at myself
(true). And we get back to it.

For maybe 30 seconds into the last round I show some poise, but
then all I can see are Al’s gloves ready to swat my face.It takes every
fiber of my training to carry on. Oh man, what a dreadful experi-
ence.Yeah,I get rocked a little,but it isn’t that so much as not being
able to land anything or even dodge much. I feel like I’m throwing
it all away out there.And blowing my cool like that is a thousand
times more painful than any punch I’m taking.

Al says I didn’t do as bad as I think.He explains the facts of our bout:
I’m matched with someone better than me (no kidding!), I need to
gain ground incrementally during such a match-up. Get in closer
inch by inch until I can finally reach.This may mean getting hit but
there it is. Charging in makes everything so much worse. I can’t be
tossing aside all I’ve learned like that and expect anything good to
come of it. He says not to worry about getting upset. I’m only frus-
trated and that’s natural.Everyone has to go through it.I need to be
patient and use my training. He laughs and says you’re paying your
dues! Then he has me go another two rounds on the pillar (no kid-
ding).

It’s been a long session: six workout rounds and three sparring
rounds. That’s a lot.I’m drenched,beat,humbled and disgusted with

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