Last weekends fight between Miguel Cotto-Antonio Margarito lived up to all the hype and then some. It was another classic Puerto Rican vs Mexican war.
For the first five rounds Cotto was the better fighter. He was fighting a brilliant fight doing everything right except moving to his left. It looked like Cotto would win another big fight. He was snapping Margarito's head back and sideways YET Antonio KEPT coming.... Despite all the momentum Cotto built and the power shots landed Antonio kept the pressure on when other fighters would have packed it in.
Margarito might not have been as polished as Cotto coming in but he proved he was tougher and wanted it more. His heart and will over came Miguel taking the fight out of him. That is a very special fighter to do that. Heart, will and toughness were the special ingredients that made the not so skilled Carmen Basillio, Rocky Graziano, and Gene Fullmer champions.
Despite their lack of athleticism and skill they achieved what they wanted through shear will. Fights like Cotto-Margarito prove that you can never count a fighter out no matter how he looks early in the fight. It proved that a fighter like Margarito that who possess super human will is very dangerous to the end. This fight made you say wow and if you weren't a Margarito fan you are now or at lest have a lot of admiration for him.
I picked Cotto to win for the reasons he displayed early on. I'll admit, I took Margarito's toughness, heart and will for granted. He proved me and many wrong. Both fighters were in outstanding condition and that wasn't a factor in Cotto loosing. This was again a lesson on how will can change and crush a fighter when he appears to have all the physical advantages. It doesn't matter, we learned again, what's inside matters most.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Leaving the fight in the gym.
I've read how team Margarito's approach to training has changed for the better. In the past Margarito trained far too hard and brutal often leaving the fight in the gym. While still being victorious he didn't perform as he should have because of his early peaking. This is one of the biggest problems I see with fighters. In the past it was a question of not training enough, now the pendulum has swayed to over training.
Ricky Hatton and many others do it as a way of just making weight. The victory on the scale is often more impressive than their victory in the ring. ( Provided they win at all. )
Recovery in boxing camps is often an after though or a sign of weakness or seen as not training hard enough. It's great to see that some teams have finally seen the light and are realizing that recovery and monitoring training intensity are often the missing ingredients to a brilliant and dominating performance in the ring.
Both Cotto and Magarito seem to be well prepared and ready to peak at fight night this Saturday night. I think there's going to be a helluva war this weekend in that ring!
Click here http://boxingperformance.com/ for easily applicable recovery methods.
Ricky Hatton and many others do it as a way of just making weight. The victory on the scale is often more impressive than their victory in the ring. ( Provided they win at all. )
Recovery in boxing camps is often an after though or a sign of weakness or seen as not training hard enough. It's great to see that some teams have finally seen the light and are realizing that recovery and monitoring training intensity are often the missing ingredients to a brilliant and dominating performance in the ring.
Both Cotto and Magarito seem to be well prepared and ready to peak at fight night this Saturday night. I think there's going to be a helluva war this weekend in that ring!
Click here http://boxingperformance.com/ for easily applicable recovery methods.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Q/A: Boxing Strength Training Program Design.
Hey Rob,
Planning a solid strength and conditioning for the summer, here's an outline:
1 - de lower, core stability and rotation (bands, medicine ball)
2 - me upper, neck stability, flexion, extension
3 - gpp , restoration/recovery
4 - me lower, core flexion and extension, grip
5 - de upper, neck stability, flexion, extension
6 - upper power conditioning, sprints, grip
7 - strength endurance(burpees, slams, deck of cards, warrior challenges, bodyweight circuits), static stretching
What sort of recovery work do you do on that gpp day? What do you think of mobility drills stretches, activation, all that jazz? I have never looked into it. Injury prevention is obviously important to a boxer, rotator cuff work. What else should I do? Really this day is a good chance to cool my body down and get myself rested up, I want to make the most of it and add anything small that will help me in the long run.
This programme will probably go 3 weeks on, 1 week deload where volume in the weights and actual weight is halved, conditioning and other days will remain the same.
Thanks in advance,
Charis
You got a lot going on Charis. Too much in my opinion. Are you training to be a fighter with skill training on top of this? You're better doing less than too much. Try a 2-3 day strength training template. Add some plyometrics before the strength exercises on ME Upper and ME Lower.
I don't use a templet like this Charis. So for recovery we rest, get some deep tissue work done, soak in some mineral baths etc.
Mobility drills, activation exercises should be part of your program. Mobility is extremely important and overlooked. Focus on it to improve your performance and to stay healthy.
I would add some reverse wd chops and some reverse crunches also.
Charis, I have no idea what you need without knowing your weaknesses, needs/goals but I will say that prone cobras are great, forward ball rolls, face pulls, wall leans, are all very good to use.
To recover you have to manage your high training stressors, the high ones in life too.
Monitor your lifestyle habits as a solid strength/conditioning program will flow off of that. With poor habits you screw yourself. Sleep well, drink plenty of water, eat whole foods, limit stimulants.
Remember less is more. Focus on getting more done with less. You strength/conditioning program should focus on your needs and weaknesses, and supplement what you don't get from your skill training.
Click here http://boxingperformance.com/ for boxing performance strength/conditioning programs.
Planning a solid strength and conditioning for the summer, here's an outline:
1 - de lower, core stability and rotation (bands, medicine ball)
2 - me upper, neck stability, flexion, extension
3 - gpp , restoration/recovery
4 - me lower, core flexion and extension, grip
5 - de upper, neck stability, flexion, extension
6 - upper power conditioning, sprints, grip
7 - strength endurance(burpees, slams, deck of cards, warrior challenges, bodyweight circuits), static stretching
What sort of recovery work do you do on that gpp day? What do you think of mobility drills stretches, activation, all that jazz? I have never looked into it. Injury prevention is obviously important to a boxer, rotator cuff work. What else should I do? Really this day is a good chance to cool my body down and get myself rested up, I want to make the most of it and add anything small that will help me in the long run.
This programme will probably go 3 weeks on, 1 week deload where volume in the weights and actual weight is halved, conditioning and other days will remain the same.
Thanks in advance,
Charis
You got a lot going on Charis. Too much in my opinion. Are you training to be a fighter with skill training on top of this? You're better doing less than too much. Try a 2-3 day strength training template. Add some plyometrics before the strength exercises on ME Upper and ME Lower.
I don't use a templet like this Charis. So for recovery we rest, get some deep tissue work done, soak in some mineral baths etc.
Mobility drills, activation exercises should be part of your program. Mobility is extremely important and overlooked. Focus on it to improve your performance and to stay healthy.
I would add some reverse wd chops and some reverse crunches also.
Charis, I have no idea what you need without knowing your weaknesses, needs/goals but I will say that prone cobras are great, forward ball rolls, face pulls, wall leans, are all very good to use.
To recover you have to manage your high training stressors, the high ones in life too.
Monitor your lifestyle habits as a solid strength/conditioning program will flow off of that. With poor habits you screw yourself. Sleep well, drink plenty of water, eat whole foods, limit stimulants.
Remember less is more. Focus on getting more done with less. You strength/conditioning program should focus on your needs and weaknesses, and supplement what you don't get from your skill training.
Click here http://boxingperformance.com/ for boxing performance strength/conditioning programs.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Manny is the man.
It's safe to say that Manny Paq. is the best p4p fighter today. He was more than impressive in the way he busted up Diaz. I'll admit, I doubted him going into the fight. I though he would be a bit slower and not carry the power as well with him.
Damn was I wrong, Manny proved many people wrong and enjoyed it whole heartedly. You don't see to many fighters smiling like Manny in the ring enjoying themselves like a kid at play as Manny does. The class that he shows after words is also rare.
The knock on Manny is that he relies on his left hand to much, although he showed a good right hook in the Diaz fight. So what, he has been getting the job done in exciting fights. He doesn't pop shot and run the whole fight. Talking shit at the press conference before and after the fight. The left hand he throws is hard, fast and gets the job done. That's all that matters and that's why he's so exciting to watch and a class act to listen to after words.
What Manny accomplishes in the ring stays in peoples minds, he doesn't need to make a bullshit public statement accusing certain parties of wrong doing. Shut the fuck up and get in the ring if you don't think you were appreciated enough.
There's more than enough talented fighters today like Manny Paq. letting their fists do the talking for their great achievements to allow any knowledgeable fan to miss you.
Manny is the man and I though he peaked. It appears the best is yet to come.
Damn was I wrong, Manny proved many people wrong and enjoyed it whole heartedly. You don't see to many fighters smiling like Manny in the ring enjoying themselves like a kid at play as Manny does. The class that he shows after words is also rare.
The knock on Manny is that he relies on his left hand to much, although he showed a good right hook in the Diaz fight. So what, he has been getting the job done in exciting fights. He doesn't pop shot and run the whole fight. Talking shit at the press conference before and after the fight. The left hand he throws is hard, fast and gets the job done. That's all that matters and that's why he's so exciting to watch and a class act to listen to after words.
What Manny accomplishes in the ring stays in peoples minds, he doesn't need to make a bullshit public statement accusing certain parties of wrong doing. Shut the fuck up and get in the ring if you don't think you were appreciated enough.
There's more than enough talented fighters today like Manny Paq. letting their fists do the talking for their great achievements to allow any knowledgeable fan to miss you.
Manny is the man and I though he peaked. It appears the best is yet to come.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Blast from the past: A true all time great.
With the retirement of Floyd Mayweather he and his team are claiming that he should be acknowledged as one of the best if not the best fighter ever. Floyd obviously hasn't done enough to earn that respect. Yes he has one titles in 5 different weight divisions but against whom really? On paper Floyd is there but looking closer and the truth comes out.
Here is a highlight clip of one of the indeed all time best in Pernell Whitaker. Unlike Floyd, Pernell had the zest to fight the best, Hell that rimed right there didn't it? Pretty cool! Pernell won titles in four different weight divisions compared to Floyd's five but Pernell did fight and beat better fighters which is what counts compared to how impressive Floyd's accomplishments on paper.
See for your self how good Pernell was against the best. He did it right by fighting the best, not by feasting on weak champions for the sake of collecting multiple titles in weight divisions and living with the fake glory that comes with that.
No, Pernell was old school.
Here is a highlight clip of one of the indeed all time best in Pernell Whitaker. Unlike Floyd, Pernell had the zest to fight the best, Hell that rimed right there didn't it? Pretty cool! Pernell won titles in four different weight divisions compared to Floyd's five but Pernell did fight and beat better fighters which is what counts compared to how impressive Floyd's accomplishments on paper.
See for your self how good Pernell was against the best. He did it right by fighting the best, not by feasting on weak champions for the sake of collecting multiple titles in weight divisions and living with the fake glory that comes with that.
No, Pernell was old school.
Monday, June 23, 2008
What's lacking in a lot of boxing training camps today.
I recently recorded a phone interview with strength/conditioning coach Mackie Shilstone that will be available on boxingperformance.com very soon. Mackie has worked with many world champion fighters from Michael Spinks when he beat Holmes to become the first light heavyweight champion to win a heavyweight title, Riddick Bowe when he beat Holyfield for the title, Roy Jones when he beat Ruiz for the heavyweight tile the first to do it since Bob Fitzsimmons, and Bernard Hopkins when he moved up to beat Antonio Tarver for the light heavyweight title accomplishing what his great idol Sugar Ray Robinson couldn't.
Mackie has been around boxing for a LONG time and what he said is sorely missing today is professionalism in fight camps and fighters period. We discussed Ricky Hattons tendency to balloon up in weight after his fights and the shear focus of his training camps being dropping the weight and not improvements in skill/style.
Mackie talked about the old school fight camps up in the Catskills and how they were run. He talked about his experience and time spent with the great Eddie Futch. Professionalism was displayed at its fullest. Mackie also commented on Bernard Hopkin's discipline and professionalism for the sport and how he now serves as a spokesman for it. That was Bernard's secret and fountain of youth that he constantly dipped in and drank from.
It's bullshit now a days with the training camps focus just being on getting the weight off for the fight. The taxing and over training that come with it withers fighters and their desire to fight more often as they must if they want to stay sharp and blossom. Where is the guidance and discipline that the old school greats like Futch, Arcel displayed and influenced their fighters with? The control and ability to know how much to push and when.
Better responsibility must be taken to create better fighters and lasting fighters. Listening to Mackie's stories about the old school fight camps and my experience/conversations with the old school trainers I spent time training with in upstate NY ingrains this in me fully.
It must be ingrained in many others too if they want their fighters to constantly reap the many rewards of being a world champion fighter or becoming one for that matter.
This is often the missing ingredient that prevents it from happening, or allows for a short taste and reign.
Mackie has been around boxing for a LONG time and what he said is sorely missing today is professionalism in fight camps and fighters period. We discussed Ricky Hattons tendency to balloon up in weight after his fights and the shear focus of his training camps being dropping the weight and not improvements in skill/style.
Mackie talked about the old school fight camps up in the Catskills and how they were run. He talked about his experience and time spent with the great Eddie Futch. Professionalism was displayed at its fullest. Mackie also commented on Bernard Hopkin's discipline and professionalism for the sport and how he now serves as a spokesman for it. That was Bernard's secret and fountain of youth that he constantly dipped in and drank from.
It's bullshit now a days with the training camps focus just being on getting the weight off for the fight. The taxing and over training that come with it withers fighters and their desire to fight more often as they must if they want to stay sharp and blossom. Where is the guidance and discipline that the old school greats like Futch, Arcel displayed and influenced their fighters with? The control and ability to know how much to push and when.
Better responsibility must be taken to create better fighters and lasting fighters. Listening to Mackie's stories about the old school fight camps and my experience/conversations with the old school trainers I spent time training with in upstate NY ingrains this in me fully.
It must be ingrained in many others too if they want their fighters to constantly reap the many rewards of being a world champion fighter or becoming one for that matter.
This is often the missing ingredient that prevents it from happening, or allows for a short taste and reign.
Monday, June 16, 2008
The blind leading the blind, a terrible trend in boxing strength training workouts.
I was reading how my favorite fighter James Toney appears to be in the best shape since Holyfield. That's great, I can't wait to see him fight next month if it's true. The disturbing thing I read was he was lighting light weights with high reps the typical bullshit magic bullet that these strength?/conditioning coaches use, yes there's a ? behind strength as I'm shaking my head why? The reason why James lost to Peter in his last fight wasn't because he wasn't lifting light enough!
The popular trend in strength training boxers is if you're going to lift weights play it safe and lift light with lots of reps yet the people who prescribe this crap claim the fighter will get strong. This do this while obviously neglecting the real needs of the fighter.
I'm just so sick and tired of hearing this myth and seeing fighters misled by training this way. I watched a video that my bud Alwyn Cosgrove sent me with Kelly Pavlik stating how he trains some 6 hours a day and when he lifts weights... Yup... I ain't going to say it... SAME shit. His strength coach was sitting there saying I don't like to talk about Kelly's training. The dude didn't need to what Kelly was saying just made you shake your head why? Why is that guy in Kelly's camp?
So that is the trend in strength training boxers, the blind are leading the blind. It seems either none of these trainers have the balls to educate the fight team on why true strength training is needed, or they just don't care and are along for the ride collecting the check by playing it safe and going with the popular trend and myth. Judging from the shit I've been reading and believe me I hope it isn't true, it appears that the latter is the case.
Click here http://boxingperformance.com/for REAL boxing strength training workouts
The popular trend in strength training boxers is if you're going to lift weights play it safe and lift light with lots of reps yet the people who prescribe this crap claim the fighter will get strong. This do this while obviously neglecting the real needs of the fighter.
I'm just so sick and tired of hearing this myth and seeing fighters misled by training this way. I watched a video that my bud Alwyn Cosgrove sent me with Kelly Pavlik stating how he trains some 6 hours a day and when he lifts weights... Yup... I ain't going to say it... SAME shit. His strength coach was sitting there saying I don't like to talk about Kelly's training. The dude didn't need to what Kelly was saying just made you shake your head why? Why is that guy in Kelly's camp?
So that is the trend in strength training boxers, the blind are leading the blind. It seems either none of these trainers have the balls to educate the fight team on why true strength training is needed, or they just don't care and are along for the ride collecting the check by playing it safe and going with the popular trend and myth. Judging from the shit I've been reading and believe me I hope it isn't true, it appears that the latter is the case.
Click here http://boxingperformance.com/for REAL boxing strength training workouts
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