Boxing class 2/25/10

Did jab-trading with a number of different 'speeds' during this last class.

Part 1: feed-and-avoid. One partner would feed jabs, and the other would parry, block, slip, take, or weave it.

Part 2: one-for-one jab-trading. Basically what it sounds like; each person gets to do one jab at a time. This is a freestyle event, so you can return it immediately or wait a while and then initiate your own attack if it's your turn.

Part 3: switch partners, three-jab exchanges. This is a more structured version of the one-for-one; exchanges now occur in threes, with a jab, a counter-jab, and a counter to the counter.

Part 4: slipping the cross. Because we had some extra time due to the snow day, and cardio kickboxing wasn't getting their game on as early. Nice.

Triple threat - Workout B 2/22/10, Boxing class 2/23/10, Workout A 2/24/10

Workout B

Warmup sets
- Squat 5x45, 5x135, 5x225
- Press 5x45, 5x95
- Rows 5x45, 5x95

Work sets
- Squat 5x275, 5x275, 5x275
- Press 5x105, 5x105, 5x105
- Rows 5x125, 5x125, 5x125

Boxing class was pretty legit. I got paired up with a much smaller girl. She hit first, and I thought she couldn't do much, since she kept dropping her hands after she jabbed. Turns out she was pretty good at feeding when she held the mitts. Had a pretty good jab then. I'm guessing she's just not conditioned enough to hit with the gloves.

Workout A, today

Warmup sets
- Squat 5x45, 5x135, 5x225
- Bench 5x45, 5x135
- Deadlift 5x45, 5x225

Work sets
- Squat 5x275, 5x285, 5x290
- Bench 5x155, 5x155, 5x160
- Deadlift 5x275
- Pullups 5xBW, 5xBW, 5xBW

Not sure about squat form. Bench felt pretty good, tiring on that last rep, even though I'm progressing unbelievably slowly. Deadlifts feel fucking awesome. Got three with the double-overhand grip before switching it up in mixed grip for the last two. Pullups were done with mixed and messed up grips due to the twisty handles, of which I pretty much approve, since they at least let me get those sets in.

Overall, left the gym feeling satisfied these last few days. Hard not to, since they're the first two weeknights I've been there! (Eek.)

Workout A 2/20/10

Warmup sets
- Squat 5x45, 5x135, 5x225
- Bench 5x45, 5x135
- Deadlift 5x45, 5x185

Work sets
- Squat 5x255, 5x265, 5x275
- Bench 5x155, 5x155, 5x155
- Deadlift 5x265
- Pullups 5xBW, 5xBW, 5xBW

Felt good, strong today. Got a full 3x5 out on the bench for once in my life, though I struggled mightily on all of the sets. Upcoming week looks pretty good, though. Should be able to get work done Monday and Wednesday.

Don't really feel like talking about the last FNF or UFC.

Boxing class 2/16/10, 2/18/10

Man, motivation just vaporizes when there are no numbers to show off my immeasurable strength gains. Or whatever. Procrastination on the weekends means no iron on the weekdays, and that sucks.

Worked with a partner on mitt-hitting on Tuesday. He was a bit weird and quiet, but he was a competent dude who knew how to hold mitts and could hit. Just wish I could've held mitts better. Today, I paired up with a Muay Thai club dude and worked on defending jabs, 1-2s, and 2-3s.

I feel like my shoulders and arms are much more conditioned this semester than they were last semester. I haven't done much mitt-hitting this semester, but I haven't totally worn my muscles out by punching this semester yet. That's a chin-up.

Tentative plan is to hit up the boxing club on Friday and iron on Saturday. If boxing doesn't happen tomorrow - as excuses tend to create themselves - I'll go to the gym then instead.

Grab-bag! matches, boxing class, workout B

Looks like Intermediate Boxing will feature sparring. I went on Tuesday and Thursday, and my partners, with whom I did not spar, were a senior in MSE and a freshman in ChemE, respectively. The latter was a bit overenthusiastic for his skill and size, a Dominican Republican native. I thought it was cool to be partnered up with a real-life Hispanic boxing fan. I am also clearly a nerd about these things.

Watch some solid boxing. ESPN2's Friday Night Fights has been a boon to me as of late, giving me Korean hot lightweight prospect Ji Hoon Kim knocking out a craftier, more experienced fighter in Tyrone Harris. In addition, Showtime gave me a glimpse of Edwin Valero - not of his legendary power, but of his ability as a boxer-puncher as he suffered a huge ass cut on his forehead en route to pounding the Mexican warrior Antonio DeMarco into submission. Finally, Nonito Donaire gained me as a massive fan after I caught wind of his dynamism as he knocked out a hugely outclassed challenger.

I think that about covers boxing class and news. Haven't been to Muay Thai for a variety of reasons, and by reasons I mean excuses. Most reason one is that I wanted to go to the gym today... because I skipped yesterday, but let's ignore that.

Warmup sets
- Squat 5x45, 5x135, 5x225
- Press 5x45
- Row 5x45

Work sets
- Squat 5x245, 5x255, 5x260
- Press 5x95, 5x100, 5x105
- Row 5x115, 5x120, 5x125
- Dips 5xBW, 5xBW, 5xBW

Dunno about proper form for dips, but whatever. I'm tacking 'em on. Felt strong on presses today. Squats are tough, but I think I managed at least three good ones out of five on that last set. Rows are the weakest; I felt good at 120 but wrecked at 125. Probably had to do with recuperation times. Here we go!

Glen Johnson vs Yusaf Mack 2/5/10

Yes, I've actually taken this long a layoff. Ugh. Going back tomorrow.

Great match. Johnson's jab to the body and high jab output really set him up for this victory, even though he wasn't insane with activity. He imposed his inside fighting, outmuscling the younger Mack, who exchanged very solid power shots during outside encounters. But eventually, the body blows mixed up effectively enough for Johnson to knock Mack down twice in the corner with the right hand in the sixth. The third down was the end.

Was impressed with ESPN2's commentators. They noticed that the right hand would be big very early on, due to the way that Mack, The Ring's 7th-ranked light heavyweight, tends to lean his head to the right. Johnson, The Ring's 3rd-ranked, is a serious class act. He was respectful and straightforward in his post-fight interview.

Caught two more matches besides. Light welterweight prospect Francisco Contreras picked up his 13th win and 12th KO by stopping smaller, come-forward, tailor-made-for-him Juan Castaneda in 98 seconds with hard counterpunches and willingness to use the ring, the ropes, and his fists. Castaneda had shitty form and left himself open, but his record isn't that bad, so good for Contreras. Also on Showtime, Freddy Hernandez knocked DeMarcus Corley out cold. Felt bad for Corley; he was the lighter, smaller, more compact fighter; he took the fight on a week's notice; he's 35 and is far past his prime; and he fought his heart out. He was simply outclassed as he was against a laundry list of big names: Zab Judah, Floyd Mayweather, Miguel Cotto, Junior Witter, Devon Alexander.

Edwin Valero and Tomasz Adamek tomorrow. Yay movement.