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Boxing: A Great Sport Even for Kids

August 17th, 2010


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Boxing is a very demanding sport that can bring great rewards to someone that gives it everything that they have and more. If you can stick with boxing, then you will learn many very important life skills that will help you to be a better person. Also you can make a great career out of boxing, and might even become rich and famous. However if the proper respect and effort is not given, then the sport can eat you up, and spit you back out again. I started my boxing career in the Junior Golden Gloves in my city. I believe that the lessons I was taught during this time have helped to shape me into the man that I have become today.

During my experience in Junior Golden Gloves, I was not the best boxer of the group, but I worked hard everyday to get better and become the best boxer that I could. Boxing kept me away from drugs, gangs, and many other bad influences that some of my friends fell into during this time. I also believe that the Golden Gloves taught me the value of determination and hard work. As a boxer you can easily see what training and hard work can do for you in life. I believe that I have carried this throughout my life, and I try to let that hard work and determination translate into other things in my life.

You should definitely try to get your kids started in boxing when they are young, because it will keep them out of trouble, and also help them learn the skills that will make them leaders for the rest of their life. Also if your child is very good then they might even be able to make boxing into a very lucrative career. Boxing will also help kids learn how to stand up for themselves, and give them confidence that they can carry with them for the rest of their lives. I really enjoyed my time in boxing, and am very appreciative of the lessons I learned while I was boxing.

Kid’s boxing gloves available at http://www.ukboxingstore.co.uk.

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Andre Ward – On the Path to Gold Once Again

August 3rd, 2010

Andre Ward is a religious man. His nickname, S.O.G., which stands for Son of God, leaves little doubt. And appropriately so, considering how little doubt has played a role in Andre’s life. Doubt does not win 90 amateur fights and two US National Amateur Championships. Doubt does not become the only US Olympic boxer to win a gold medal in nearly two decades. And doubt does not compile a professional record of 18-0 with 12 knockouts without even being seriously challenged. Replacing this doubt is faith. Faith in Andre’s religion, his ability and in his mission, to become a world champion again, and the new face of American boxing.

Andre’s faith will be tested May 16th, when he returns to his hometown of Oakland, California, to fight for the first time as a professional, against dangerous former middleweight title contender Edison Miranda.

Born across the bay in San Francisco, Ward lives and trains in Oakland. He has amassed a significant local and national fan following, a fan following Ward hopes will help propel him to the biggest victory of his career.

“I am excited to fight in my backyard,” Ward says. “Miranda is a solid fighter. It’s going to be a competitive fight, but I will be prepared.”

Despite an 18-0 professional record, the knock on Ward is that he has yet to be tested. 12 of his victories have come by knockout and all have been fairly dominant. His last fight, against fellow American Super Middleweight contender Henry Buchanan, was a rare shutout, with all three judges scoring the fight 120-108 for Ward. At age 25, Ward’s camp feels he is being brought along the right way. There is no reason to rush the 2004 Olympic gold medalist, in a sport where one fight or one punch can instantly derail a blossoming career. Miranda, however, presents a new and unusual challenge, unusual because of his fight changing power. 28 of Miranda’s 32 professional victories have ended in knockouts, a knockout percentage that is unrivaled in the Super Middleweight division.

How powerful is Miranda? Ask David Banks. Banks was circling the ring in the 3rd round of his January 2008 fight against Miranda, televised on ESPN, when a single right hand sent him through the ropes, and abruptly ended his night. It would go on to be named one of the top candidates for Ring Magazine’s 2008 Knockout of the Year. Ward vows not to meet a similar fate.

Outside of the ring, Andre is one of the most down to earth guys you could ever meet. A devoted husband and loving father of three, he takes every opportunity to meet with fans or sign an autograph. A trip to one of his son’s baseball games can turn into a media event, complete with countless photographs and conversations about the sport he loves. Andre understands that the fans are what make the sport of boxing as great as it is.

Many boxing observers, and fans alike, feel Ward has all the necessary tools to become a world champion. They feel that Andre not only has the physical attributes to keep that perfect record, but the mental makeup as well. Inside the ring there is no questioning his ability. Andre possesses exceptional footwork, superior speed and power in both hands. Although his chin has yet to be tested, he has taken some good shots and kept coming forward. Add in the desire to be world champion, and you have one of the best young fighters in the world.

Andre’s golden past has certainly raised his profile with the American public. The majority of his professional fights have been broadcast by HBO, Showtime or Fox, and he recently agreed to boxing t-shirt, clothing and apparel deal with a Cleveland, Ohio based company.

On May 16th, expect Miranda to stay close and try to bully the younger Ward. A fight like this is one where Ward’s patience and ring savvy will pay off. In order to stay perfect, Andre Ward will need to avoid Miranda’s power in the early rounds, pick his shots and look to counterpunch the aggressive Columbian. It will be an exciting evening at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, where a capacity crown of mostly Ward supporters is expected.

At the end of the night, look for Andre Ward to have his hand raised once again, proving that of all the skills and abilities he possesses, that his faith may indeed be the most difficult to overcome.

For more information on Andre Ward’s complete line of t-shirts and related apparel, please visit http://www.pound4poundapparel.com or email Jason Green at jason@pound4poundapparel.com

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Who Will Win? Pacquiao Or De La Hoya?

July 31st, 2010

December 6 is going to be one of the most abstract and anticipated fight of the year. This will be the day that Oscar De la Hoya will face off against the pride of the Philippines, Manny Paquaio. This fight has over $134 million dollars set up for this fight. Also, it will be Paquaio’s highest pay of his career.

Coming up to this fight we think, “Why doesn’t De la Hoya face off with Antonio Margarito?” We have heard this common question over and over again. The problem is that De la Hoya wants to avenge all the Mexicans that Paquaio has beaten. Who is really going to believe something like that?

Of course Manny is the best Pound for Pound fighter in the world, but I think that Paquaio should really offer a rematch to Juan Manuel Marques. That is what is interesting people right now.

De la Hoya, on the other hand, should have kept his promise that he was going to fight the winner of the Margarito/Cotto battle. Unfortunately, he knows what Margarito might do to him, so he has done what Mayweather and Shane Mosley did a couple of years ago. He practically said, “No way. Not that guy!!”

Any who, let us get on to the fact and opinions on who will win this fight, shall we? Manny Paquaio has one of the fastest hands in boxing. He knows how to use his feet very well and is a pretty big banger. But a question comes to our mind. Because Manny is moving up two weight classes, will he still have the same speed? He has proved to us that he kept his speed when he went against David Diaz in his Lightweight debut, but that was just recently. We still want to know if the major difference in weight classes will affect Paquaio. Other than that, I can see Paquaio coming off with a decision win.

Oscar De la Hoya, well we know what he can do. We have seen him in the past and he was a great champion in six different weight classes. Out of all that he has done in his career, he still has that decent chin of his. I am a real fan of Oscar De la Hoya, but I do not think that he will be able to pull of a win in this fight. The only way that it think that he will be able to win is by pressuring Paquaio and doing what he did to Steve Forbes. In that fight, Forbes had the speed but his punches wouldn’t land because De la Hoya had all that reach with him. So the only way that De La Hoya will win is for him to use his size and five inch reach he has over Paquaio.

But as of now, I really see Manny coming out with a victory here.

My name is Angel Gabriel Gonzalez, and I have been a Die Hard boxing fan since I was a child. If you have any questions or comments about this article, then you can email me: brooklynnbronx@yahoo.com

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Boxing Training

July 23rd, 2010

What do you need to train as a boxer? It’s a good question. Well how about fitness and knowing the technical side of boxing, the right punches, the right techniques.

Good boxers are fit. It goes without saying. You can’t last 12 – 15 rounds of boxing unless you’re fit.

That’s why you see boxers running, skipping, Shadow boxing, putting the hours in at the gym. Building strength and endurance. You name it and they’re doing the hard work.

Because they know it’ll pay off in the end. Also they’re in the ring sparring. Practicing punches, combinations specific punches. Developing lightening reflexes and hand eye co-ordination.

So when the boxer is ready to fight he is at the peak of physical condition. Ready to go the distance.

Yet this same boxer in all probability started out by joining a boxing club in the vicinity of their home town. And that’s a great way for anyone to learn this noble art.

However once a boxer shows some promise and commitment, they have a ring savvy boxing coach. Someone who has been there – seen it – done it. Some one who can teach them the technical aspects of boxing.

Well whatever way a boxer trains, they train following a boxing program.

One which teaches them how to fight, ring craft and how to become fitter at the same time.

But what about the ordinary guy? Somebody who wants to know how to punch correctly (and become fitter from boxing). There’s gotta’ be an easier method surely.

Check out http://www.Master-Boxing.com for the best boxing program around.

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Skipping for Boxing and Fitness

June 1st, 2010


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Skipping ropes for Boxing and Fitness

Boxers have been using skipping ropes as a training aid for many years. Skipping can be used for endurance work, developing speed in short bursts, coordination and to encourage a sense of rhythm.

Many of the great champions used to skip to the lively beat of music. One of these champions was the great “Sugar” Ray Robinson. You will find many film clips of him skipping to music, his timing and coordination was remarkable.

Boxers will usually warm up with skipping. Depending on the boxer and what level he is at in his career, a warm up could be as long as 20 – 30minutes. During skipping, a boxer will use different types of skipping techniques like crossing the rope, double jumps, short sprints on the spot, moving backwards and forwards e.t.c.

As a beginner you should persevere with rope skipping, although it might seem awkward at first, your timing and rhythm will be off sync and you might even trip over a few times, you need to practice over and over again. Once you have mastered the basic techniques of skipping, your coach or other boxers in the gym will teach you more advanced routines.

There are many types of skipping ropes, they come in all shapes, sizes , colours and made from different materials like leather , nylon, rubber, wire e.t.c

Leather ropes are more popular for boxers and they might cost you a little more than the thinner type nylon ropes.

Wire ropes encased in PVC are another popular rope at the moment because they turn faster than the normal ropes and this will make the skipper work faster and much harder therefore improving fitness levels.

More advanced skippers will use ropes with a weighted handle, this will help to work the forearms as well as building endurance.

Many specialist boxing stores like UK Boxing store will have a range of skipping ropes to choose from. Your coach will also be able to give you guidance on the right skipping rope.

Enjoy your training and train hard – http://www.ukboxingstore.co.uk

A wide range of Leather, PVC and weighted Skipping ropes are available from UK Boxing store. You will also find articles on skipping and fitness. Your one stop Boxing equipment store.

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Weider Home Gym – A Great Fitness Machine

May 16th, 2010


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Buying a Weider home gym means buying an excellent fitness product at half the cost of other exercise machines. Weider makes sturdy, excellent fitness equipment for a low cost. Their equipment is built as well as commercial equipment is, but it is created for home use, which results in lower costs. Weider home gyms have been the name in home gym fitness centers for years. There are a number of excellent pieces of equipment Weider makes to meet your fitness vision.

Weider Pro 9635 Home Gym

This fine piece of Weider exercise equipment has everything you need to develop your major muscle groups. Its eight stations include a bench press, butterfly arms, a leg developer, a high and low pulley system, a military press, a leg press, and a vertical knee raise. It has three hundred and sixty pounds of maximum resistance, and durable vinyl cushioning that will last the life of the center.

Weider Boxing Gym

This complete Weider home gym offers a great workout with a number of boxing features for added dimension. Boxing can provide you with health benefits you may have previously overlooked like hand-eye coordination, response time, and extra muscle tone. Boxing can also be a great way to work on your self-defense techniques in our increasingly dangerously society. This complete system has a forty pound punching bag, a speed bag, a chest press, a leg developer, butterfly arms, and a low pulley. Whew, talk about a complete system. It’s patented plate loader system helps speed your workout up to get you out of the gym and enjoying your life.

Weider Pro 2200 Strength Trainer

This model offers a compact presentation with everything you might need in a home fitness gym including high and low pulleys, a chest press, padded butterfly arms, lat bar, padded leg developer, and an ankle strap. This Weider product, like most, also features an exercise chart to help you begin building your ideal workout.

Dean Iggo is the webmaster of a home gym website providing reviews of the best proform treadmills and fitness equipment including, treadmills, ellipticals and dumbbells from top brands including Proform, Precor, Total Gym, Smooth, Weider and more.

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Boxing and Sports Psychology

April 14th, 2010

What does it take to be a great boxer? What can fighters do to get mentally tougher? And what kind of mental training is helpful for fighters?

In the past, I have counseled a number of boxers, martial artists and mixed martial artists. When I work with these athletes, I usually also work closely with their trainers and their managers. This is essential, since these people are a vital part of the boxer’s team. Everyone in the athlete’s camp must be on the same page when the bell for the first round sounds.

For some reason, I have been contacted by a number of fighter recently. Several of these boxers are competing in The Golden Gloves Tournament in New York City.

Key issues for fighters include learning how to stay relaxed before the fight and once the fight begins. Some boxers are overly nervous or overly anxious before a bout begins.

Fighters also need to learn how to remain confident, calm and focused during the course of the fight. Teaching fighters confidence building affirmations can also help them to enter the ring with a positive attitude and a fighting spirit. I encouraged one fighter to think of himself as a ferocious tiger before he entered the ring. This image helped him to find stay calm and to find the kind of aggressiveness he needed to fight well.

Fighters also need to know what their strengths and weaknesses are so they can continue to get mentally and physically better as they train. Good boxers continue to sharpen their skills and work on their techniques throughout their careers.

Boxers are also encouraged to study film of their opponents so they can develop a fight plan for their upcoming fights. This kind of plan helps the fighter to focus more effectively during the course of the bout.

Fighters also need to flexible enough to change strategy and tactics if things are not going well as they would have hoped as the fight unfolds. Many fighters fail because they have only one approach or one style to fighting. A versatile fighter is apt to be more successful against a wide array of opponents than is a one dimensional fighter.

Boxers need to be able to find the right level aggressiveness and the right energy level for their craft. I teach boxers to fight in mental state which can best be described as a state of relaxed aggression.

Boxers also need to develop mental and physical resiliency so they can weather the physical

punishment which is part of boxing. Learning how to recover physically an psychologically from a heavy punch or from a combination of punches that land are essential skills for a fighter who competes at a high level.

Many boxers who I have coached seem to benefit from mastering self-hypnosis, meditation, visualization and guided imagery.

Jay P. Granat, Ph.D. is a psychotherapist and the founder of http://www.stayinthezone.com. He has written several books and developed several programs to help people perform to their fullest potential at sports, at work and at school. Dr. Granat, a former university professor, has appeared in The New York Times, Good Morning America, AP, ESPN, Golf Digest, The BBC and The CBC. He can be reached at info@stayinthezone.com. There are many articles, products, books and CD programs for boxers and other athletes at this site.

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Beginners Guide to Punch bags

March 20th, 2010

Choosing the right punch bags

Boxing training is one of the best ways to get fit and stay fit. In every boxing gym you will see a heavy punch bag, a punch bag is an essential part of a boxer’s training programme to build stamina, develop punching power and practice combinations.

Punch bags come in all different shapes, sizes and materials. The most common punch bag is the straight ones, these are available in all sizes from 3ft – 5ft, they are perfect for practicing straight punches and hooks.

Kickboxing gyms prefer the 5ft long straight bags, this is perfect for practicing punches and elbow strikes also knee strikes, low kicks and high level kicks.

The angled punch bag has a much wider top and is tapered, this bag is useful for practicing the uppercut and advanced combinations.

Leather punch bags might cost more but they are heavy duty and built to take a pounding, quality leather punch bags usually have an inner foam jacket for a more responsive feel and kindness to your hands and wrist, also they tend to be machine filled to give greater shock absorption, you will find leather punch bags in most boxing gyms.

Punch bags made from PU, canvas or vinyl are perfect for home use and fitness gyms, they usually come with a soft rag filling for kindness to your hands and wrists.

When using punch bags, always wear hand wraps and gloves. Remember to punch the bag and not push it, work on your combinations both head height and to the body, keep on your toes and move around the bag.

Most trainers will give their boxers a certain routine with a number of rounds, see below for an example.

The first round would be just throwing a fast jab and double jab, moving around the bag bobbing and weaving and throwing the odd jab, cross.., this round would be two minutes long with 30 seconds rest.

The second round you would add the left hook to the combination, remember to hook to body and head, bobbing and weaving, moving round the bag and keep a nice tight guard.

This is just a basic example of a punch bag routine, you can find more routines and boxing articles at www.ukboxingstore.co.uk

For other articles on boxing workouts and also to see quality boxing equipment. Visit http://www.ukboxingstore.co.uk

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What Do You Need to Make the Perfect Home Gym?

March 15th, 2010


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You want to get in shape. Yet, you hate going to public health clubs. You want to build your own home gym. What will you need and where do you start?

First, you need to think about your exercise objectives? Do you want a cardio workout? Do you like lifting weights? Do you bore easily with the same exercise routines? These are some of the questions you need to be asking yourself.

The perfect home gym should have the equipment and the space where you can do a variety of different types of exercise. Your body needs some cardio (aerobic) exercise as well as some resistance and strength training exercise.

Here are a few items you should have when building a basic home gym:

* A comfortable mat. You need this to do some of your stretching and yes even some abdominal type work.

* Dumbbells ranging in sizes, elastic toning bands, ankle weights. These all are good for strength and resistance training (as well as building muscle definition).

* A bicycle for your aerobic needs. You may even want one that will give you an additional upper body workout in the form of rowing type bars.

* A treadmill. You know they say that walking is the best form of exercise we can do.

* A DVD player for you to play exercises DVD’s. You can find many challenging DVD’s from yoga, dancing, and even boxing type formats to keep you from getting bored.

* Stability Ball (especially useful with some of the yoga workouts)

* A mirror to watch your movements. This can be beneficial to insure that you are using the equipment correctly and that you are performing each series of movements correctly. Hopefully, this will also motivate you to keep proper balance and form.

Of course, what you purchase for your ultimate home gym will also depend on how much space you have. Not everyone will have the space for both a treadmill and a stationary bike. Yet, some people may have an abundance of space that will even cater to full sized gym equipment such as a Bow Flex or a weight bench with accompanying weight bar and weights.

Then there is the cost issue to consider. The actual exercise machines such as the treadmills, stationary bikes and the full size machines can cost a bit of money. Do you really have it to spare? Is it really worth the cost? Will you actually use the equipment or will it soon collect dust. Be honest about these things.

Items such as stability balls, exercise bands, exercise DVD’s, etc are beneficial in helping one to get in shape. Yet, these items are not expensive. Should these be more of the type of items you should consider buying for your home gym? Should you at least start with some of these less expensive items to see how long your commitment will last?

A home gym is definitely a way in which many people can get into better shape. It is convenient and a lot of people feel more confident by exercising in private. If this is the way in which you think you can get into better shape, then begin thinking about what your own needs are to make your own perfect home gym today.

Jeffrey Meier at Jam727 Enterprises at http://www.thearticlehome.com blog offers even more detailed information on a wide variety of topics.

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The Tornado Workout

March 13th, 2010

Do you ever wonder how it feels to be knocked down/ stunned or knocked out? I can tell you from first hand experience that you see “butterflies” and your head just “spins”. When they catch you on the chin, there is always the chance that you’ll get hurt. No matter how good your defensive skills are, you have to cover your bases, you can never be sure. You also have to “train to be dizzy”. This workout will will help you withstand dizziness in a fight and not to mention, in everyday life situations. Remember, when the training is tough, all the rest becomes easier. Here’s the Tornado Workout, a set of exercises focusing on circuits, intervals, aerobic/ anaerobic and full body activity.

Note: Work your way up. When you feel badly light- headed, stand up straight and breath deeply.

THE TORNADO WORKOUT

1. 1 round: shadow boxing

2 15 push ups, 15 leap ups, 15 jumping jacks

3. 1 round: shadow boxing

4. 15 jumping jacks, 15 leap ups, 15 push ups

5. 1 round: shadow boxing

6. 1 round: jumping rope

7. 15 knee in push ups, 15 jumping lunges, 15 burpees

8. 1 round: jumping rope

9. 15 burpees, 15 jumping lunges, 15 knee in push ups

10. 1 round: jumping rope

11. 1 round: Power shadow boxing

12. AB work 30 EACH: crunches, side crunches, other side, hip raises, leg raises, flutters, scissors, bicycle, push and pull.

Keep your rest times less. That is how you develop to eliminate the dizziness. This workout will increase your stamina tremendously and will keep you in shape for boxing and other activities! It is quick and intense. And just a reminder, there is no substitute to hard work!

Do you want more information and tips? Request your copy of the exclusive Train Like a Boxer Strategy Report (a $299 value, yours for FREE): How to Achieve a Leaner and Stronger Body with Limited Time, Space and Equipment at lawrence@trainlikeaboxer.com TODAY!!!

Lawrence Ragos is the founding director of Motivation Sports LLC (http://www.trainlikeaboxer.com). A Michigan based training company providing cutting edge boxing, fitness and self- defense programs. For more information, you may check his blogspot at http://boxingwithlawrence.blogspot.com

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