Well, I trained my behind off for a month. Dropped 15 pounds, got myself into the best shape of my life. Then traveled 2 hours to the middle of some small town in Pennsylvania and my first fight lasted all of 10 seconds.
The final 24 hours before the fight were definitely the hardest. I had to go without food or water until weigh ins, needed to sweat out the last couple of pounds. That combined with anxiety and a beat up body made for a rough day. That being said, I made weight easily and felt great once I rehydrated and got some food in me.
I felt good but my trainer definitely had to tell me to calm down a few times as I was anxious and a bit jittery. I warmed up, got into the ring, saw my opponent across the ring and all the nerves and anxiety seemed to vanish. It was time to work and I was ready to go. Unfortunately, the same couldn’t be said about my opponent. I know you are not supposed judge a book by it’s cover but I don’t know that he was ready for this fight. Physically, he looked very soft and under trained and I could tell that he was a nervous wreck. After the bell rang, I took the center of the ring, we exchanged a couple of kicks and he went down with a knee injury about 10 seconds into the fight. Fight over, and it goes into the books as a victory for me.
A bit anticlimactic and there was obviously a little frustration once it set in. I trained so hard and didn’t get the work that I wanted to get but this happens. Unfortunately, fighting at all levels, especially at the amateur level, can be very unpredictable. Anything can happen. One guy had his opponent show up, weigh in and simply get back in his car and leave.
Even though I didn’t get the work that I wanted, there was a lot of positive to take out of it. I got myself into the best shape of my life, and can carry this over to my next fight. I also had the chance to go through the process of preparing for a fight, all the way up to getting into the ring so next time I’ll be a little more relaxed and familiar with the process.
After cutting 15 pounds and eating perfectly for a month I did enjoy my bacon cheeseburger. Now it’s back to work and hopefully I’ll have another fight soon.
Great insight, Ryan. I agree, there are so many positives to take out this fight. Its everything that leads up to the fight that results in winning or losing. You’ve experienced that part and now know what to expect. I’m sure you’re next fight is going to be a lot more rewarding now that you know what to expect. Also, not for nothing, I think you might have scared him senseless when you charged out at him like that. I probably would have folded like a cheap card table too if you’d charged me like that. LOL!!! All the best, bro!!
By: Guy on February 1, 2012
at 9:56 pm