On Tuesday is Boxing sparring class. I have to say that the night started off pretty rough for most of the guys that attended. Cody and Justin were the first to get into the squared circle to put on a show. Not as technical of a round I would have wanted them to display. No, not at all. It was more something for the spectators to appreciate. they went at it as two brawlers would. Waaaay off the mark of what the class of "sparring" is really for. Those two went to town not listening to a word Tony or I had to say for instruction. The next two participants had their minds on something else as well. Then the next two followed in the same fashion.
Finally we had a semi-vet nicknamed Gerald "Jiggy" Gibbs. Jiggy and Chandler put on a display of boxing that was on par with the professional fighters. Chandler normally spars with the big guys because there isn't anyone that comes to sparring class that is his size, 125 lbs. He is a very good boxer, but, it is different when you have to worry about larger guys hitting you and you're not big enough to really move them with your own punch. I have to say that once we got someone close to his size with Jiggy, 135 lbs. to 135 lbs. When Jiggy is in shape, he would fight around 125 lbs. Never the less, the performance they put on was great. Jiggy has more experience and ability right now then Chandler, but that is great because he has to step up to compete. That will make him a better fighter. Also, Jiggy is out of shape so that makes sparring with Chandler tougher, because Chandler is pretty good in his own right.
There was a moment in the first round Chandler rushed Jiggy onto the ropes. There it was basically inside boxing at its best. I mean, combinations from both fighters along with beautiful head movement and catching as well. these kids stood there punching from angles, slipping punches, throwing off of the slips, and never stopping. Both sides were banging away at each other. I say banging, but, I have to say that might not be the best way to describe the fist-a-0cuffs going on in this sparring session. Banging is trading punches with disregard of what is coming back at you.
these guys threw combinations but, as we teach in class, DID have regard for what was coming back. Not because they can't take a punch or are scared to take a punch, but moving their heads or catching punches to find a better way to catch the other guy with an even better punch off that defense. I have to say it inspired the other, bigger guys on to come in the next session and spar better using the boxing they have and have been drilled.
In closing, I have to say it started off rough, but after the great display from Jiggy and Chandler, it ended much better. Cody, Rinzo, Carlos, Justin, and Dolton ended the night looking pretty good after seeing the nice work from the "All Stars" that night, Jiggy and Chandler.
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