Gym Diary: Week 2

Spent the weekend barely able to move after my first session with Rodriguez; my quads were especially insolent after an hour of ducking and weaving. But still found the will to schedule another session for Monday, which felt about half as long as the first despite longer rounds and shorter breaks in-between.

We mostly spent Monday reviewing and learning how to work the heavy bag. Wrapped my own hands for the first and of course my right ached afterward because the wrap was too tight, but you live and you learn. Was pleased that the soreness only lasted half as long, providing hope I may not have waited too long before trying to get myself back into shape.

Rodriguez made it back today and we focused on movement, since my footwork is terrible. While boxing is similar to tennis in that you’ve got to constantly be moving, my tennis shoes felt like bricks after just a few minutes. Also, in tennis the footwork calls for moving both feet independently, sometimes crossing them as you set up for a shot. But in boxing if cross your legs at any point, you’re liable to get knocked out with just a tap on the forehead. So maintaining a wide base at all times becomes the main focus.

Since one minute into every round I’m usually dropping my guard and pawing with my jab, Rodriguez also showed me a couple defensive techniques to use when tired. First we focused on catching the jab with my glove and following it with a straight right. For when you’re no longer able to anticipate the other guy’s jab he taught me the shoulder roll, practiced best these days by Floyd “Money” Mayweather. By tucking your chin behind your left shoulder you can roll off the other guy’s jab, sapping the power and setting you up for a counter right of your own.

Finally we got into one of the rarer punches in boxing, a jumping hook to the body that leaves the boxer completely off-balance but can provide that extra bit of power needed for a knockout when your opponent is reeling. Rodriguez said it’s almost never used because it leaves one open to a knockout, but he predicted Ricardo Mayorga might try landing the punch against Miguel Cotto on March 12.

We finished up with some bag work as I tried to keep snapping the jab while we discussed the relative merits of Pacquiao and Mayweather. As impressive and likable as Pacman is, we both agree that no one seems to have the combination of talent and skill that Mayweather has demonstrated. Rod said the only time he’s ever seen Floyd in real danger was against DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley; I mentioned the Zab Judah fight as well.

He’s also hearing that Pacquiao and Shane Mosley will be in Washington, DC next Tuesday for a press conference, even though there’s been no official announcement yet. If it’s true count on Stiff Jab to be there to bring you all the pre-fight hype.