Only a Boxer can understand the Boxing world and the whole process that began when the Boxer stepped into a gym.
Not the ring but the Gym. That the first and mainly most vital step. this begins the route. Follows Pain, blood, bruises, discomfort, sweat, hard task, long hours, loss of some social standing, test plus ending of some relationships.
Better the Maverick you are, more certainty to succeed. If you not had to go through this whole process cant see how understand the experience. But many feel because they Love the sport they get the picture, despite real image being distorted.
The first time see a square ring, this becomes hollow ground. Place of soiled, spilt blood, place of hurts, triumphs. New words become important. Although meaningless to others.
Ringcraft, gloved up, sparring, gum shields, no lo blows. Time out.
Smells, hard to explain Canvass sawdust smell. Despite daily cleaning it smells old. Musty.
Leather smell of `sweat stained`, sparring gloves.
Over done aftershave and talc, Sounds "3 minutes", Last 10, "knees up, on those ropes"
Sound of gloves hitting body and head. Silence. Wind in the ropes. Skipping. Grunts of shadow boxing.
That take a whole blog to explain, Shadow Boxing, yes your own shadow. lack of vanity as you box own image in many mirrors around Gym.
Rituals, Language, sounds, gatherings, resilience.
Discipline Hope, hurts, losing. Surviving. Art of skilled boxer. Cold night after session in the Boxers world. Walking home heavy headed. Unsure if this is sport. Friendship of those who understand that some blows cut you down. Some blows still hurt next day. Triumphs and pain. Friends who you've hit and hit you back. Every blow is felt.
Training, more that that, it's preparing you for LIFE.
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