Plans to the Championship

At the moment, in which I do more on academics compared to my boxing, I have decided to do a few things that will put me in shape, when I will ever fight. I am continuing a plan that started as a new-years resolution at the end of the year 2009. I promised myself, that I will have chiseled abs by the end of the year. It's been easier, to tell you honestly. I really have gotten a long way, compared to the time I started getting real healthy and active. Determination is what pushed me, in those times, and I would say, it is what makes me. The constant graphic vision of myself becoming a champion, someone who people would recognize and admire, makes me so much into my hard work. An impossible task driven by a fury of determination. In those times, starting it out on the exercise lifestyle is definitely too tough, that the memory of it still lingers in my mind. It's a miracle I did it, and I did more than my limits, somehow I never collapsed or in jeopardy of being in the hospital. The daily deadly workouts that is repetitive, and the diets that leave me famished, somewhat makes me a burst of energy in a zero source. So it definitely resulted into diminishing the fatty stores in my body. It made me so lean, my body fat percentage is 12% at the moment. It's been easier for me to train now, compared to the days where I'm constantly aching in pain on my first ever ab workout. My abs definitely have improved throughout the years. Crunches are easily achieved and I can even transcend. I remembered I did about 2000 crunches in one training, which is my record highest. I discipline myself, and did 2000, because I missed one workout session. Primarily, I train 1000 ab crunches, it sounds impossible to others, but for me, its natural. I live with such number. On the last year, the only problem I had was, the inability to recognize a workout essential for having great abs. I then realized this late, just on the beginning of 2010. It was lower ab area exercises. So I started with reverse crunches, which was VERY easy. I hate the idea of not giving much of a challenge in some things. I wanted to increase the intensity, and even placed a heavy pillow on the foot area. Still, it has no challenge for me. Thanks to it though, I got eight packs, after religiously working it. I then decided to do Double Crunches, which is a combination to train all eight abs. It suits me perfectly, I manage to get the lower aspect of the ab to increase in size, perhaps also due to my high protein intake and increased stimulation. The problem? The lower ab can't be seen clearly due to underlying fat, but you can definitely feel them. I then got back to cardio, running up the slopes of my residential area, which is where I get good work out running on inclined, without going to the mountain areas or paying a fortune on a gym. My plan was to lose five more pounds, expecting the fat on the lower aspect will be reduced to a minimum, just enough to expose the lower ab. Yes, I've reduced significantly, especially with implementing low calorie diet with eggs for protein, to maintain muscles but losing the fat at the same time. Good thing I researched once more in the internet, and found a couple of more significant information. One is the training of the Transversus abdominis and the Obliques. In my surprise, I learned the training I did which I discovered on my own, was actually implemented by others. Which was called vacuuming, a training for the Transversus. I started it even from the days I was way fat, at an overweight level on the BMI scale. I did it at that time to just simply reduce my stomach, which was protruding to some extent. I did this way back, since first year high school. No wonder, my Transversus is way more chiseled and evident than any other person I know. The Transversus helps compress the abdomen. So step one of the new training is suprisingly achieved, since I've been implementing it until now. The only other exercise that is new to me is the Kegels'. As a medical practitioner, I know it well. I just never thought it would be used for an ab workout. Another muscles that I will be start working on, is the Obliques. Same effect, it compresses the core. Perhaps, it would start reducing the free moving fats on the area by compressing it inside, or burning it permanently through the course of the training. Either way, it is a win-win situation. I'm going to start side crunches, and will aim for that fat less abdomen. When my body fat percentage gets to 7%, I would want to bring it on the beach by then. Plus, reducing the weight 5 pounds less will help maintain it. I suggest people to start training their cores as well, because its healthy, and attractive to most people.

Reflexes

In boxing, reflexes are an important aspect of a fighter, in order to dodge well and to punch an opponent on angles. This is also determined by age. Younger people can execute better reflexes compared to the old ones. That is why, age retires in boxing. You can see this idea in the Muhammad Ali vs Trevor Berbick fight. After the disappointing loss to Berbick, Ali was quoted in saying, "I can see the punches, but I could not avoid it. It was age." Reflexes can really turn from Gold to null through age. Not even the reflex-type Ali was able to do anything about it. Reflex to me, is both defense and offense, that is why, stretching is a very good idea after training. Stretching helps circulate blood flow, helps in increasing the size of muscles, and it can give you a very good reflex in the end. In my exercise, I definitely include stretching, for the health benefits, to do some warm-up, and because it actually feels good. The body gets stiff every now and then and results to poor blood circulation. Doesn't it feel better when you get a few crunch sounds from stretching you neck, twisting your hips, especially your hands and feet? It's part of the pleasures that I enjoy, although considering its simplicity. Everyone should try it. I do it a lot. Every night, I relax myself with some yoga. I definitely get a good sleep from it, and it takes a load amount of stress from my system. The results of continuously stretching would make you somewhat flexible. In the past, I had some rough parts that stretches in a limit. At present, I can extend, and overextend. In boxing, this is an asset that will help in terms of footwork, punching angles, defensive dodging, as well as keeps your body at its best condition. In another sense, there is another type of reflex that most boxers utilize. This is the trained reflex. It is a reflex that is activated by certain stimulus, which is trained purposely for defense and offense purposes. One trained reflex, is the counter punching. It is the instantaneous motion of punching at a more powerful type from the moment the stimulus is given. I love counter punching, it would probably be part of how good a boxer I am. Counter punching is good for ceasing an opponents attack, for making the opponent feel more cautious and awkward, and it is a point in Olympic amateur boxing. Another trained reflex, would be the defensive reflex. I am equipped with this sort of reflex, which will make you put your defense from the moment the stimulus will be given, such as a closing in of an opponent, the alternation in positioning of fists after punching, and the rocking chair motion of the upper body once on the defensive. As a person, I wanted to train myself purposely anytime, and anywhere. So I trained myself to be on philly shell defense whenever I get close to any person, like walking on a narrow pathway, and anywhere else. This will also secure myself just like a self defense and be able to be more effective in defense with just a reflex. One thing good about trained reflex is that, you won't be able to put much thought into things, and will let your body somehow, think on its own. A movement that will flow on its own from the moment a stimulus will be given. Now that's skill! Another ingredient for being a champion. I would name a few boxers who I look up to in terms of reflex such as, Floyd "Money" Mayweather, Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker, Muhammad Ali, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Roy "Captain Hook" Jones Junior. Reflex will always be a big deal, although it is underrated.

Picture: Floyd Mayweather doing some trained reflex on Oscar De la Hoya

Spirit Origin or Spirit Built?

The Unending Dream
by Urish Peter C. Jain

Me and you may be connected,
my life and yours have the same fate,
Legacies that we created,
Realizing the problems very late

Learning I started when you end,
Our spirit should be just the same,
Everything that we are, just blend,
What troubles me is your life's shame

A greatness but unrecognized,
Your sadness is then what I share,
Time has come to be recognized,
For we are the strength spirits heir

Goals are clear in the rising sun,
Knowing we succeed when we strife,
For you and me have become one,
Different eras for each life

Born in a dark environment,
You have then become influenced,
Your life will forever lament,
Difficult, even just be cleansed

Now our life is more than ever,
Eating our food in silver spoon,
We end up becoming clever,
Building our dreams in the cold moon

As I face the adversary,
Stay with me whenever I win,
As your life end in misery,
Let me end it when I begin

For when all would not understand,
Everything would then become clear,
When regaining it comes to hand,
I know our dreams will then be near

For our dream should be continued,
To change the fate that once has been,
To show the world that thought we could,
and get back more with a nice grin

Living life we are understood,
will end the cycle that we see,
of the mistake we thought we would,
will now end with what we can be

No matter how much I believed,
one idea will be for sure,
I will stay and not be deceived,
be clean as the holy is pure

Perhaps I am a connector,
connecting my abilities,
a champion is with character,
I look through possibilities

How strong am I?

I get the feeling of questioning myself whether my power is capable for a punchers status or not. Then that question lingers to my mind once again. How strong am I? I learned my potentials in boxing when I discovered my God-given talents about five years ago. It was tremendous punching power, that the normal person would see as, an unbelievable force to live with. It is an unnatural power that I am perhaps born with. I see it, as a gift from God, or was it simply genetics. To be honest, in my family, I've got no relative who was a fighter. It must be an unrecognized gift in the gene passed down from my ancestors, that my relatives are not aware. If it must be genetics, then I must not only be the one in the family to experience this unbelievable amount of strength, and possessing it is one more serious issue. I guess, I will be the first to utilize it into such lengths, as a fighter. Perhaps, the first in the family to do so. The gift of speed, is one thing I think, my gene is responsible for. Just imagine, me as a middleweight, throwing fast punches like a featherweight. In those days though, stamina was a problem, so thank God, I lost the weight. In totality, I think my gene is capable of tremendous punching power and speed. If it isn't from my genes, then its Gods'. I'm honored in possessing such talent. One story to testify my strength, is the reason why I stopped doing the punching bag, and did abdominal work out in the first place. I really did not want to stop doing the punching bag, it just gave up on me. I was starting to train my power so much, I think it surpassed my level from when I learned my punching power. It was devastating, that I believe, If someone or something was to be hit with my fist, they'd get knocked out in an instant. A punch of a mike tyson caliber. I just did what I wanted, which is to punish the bag, training everyday. After a tremendous shot, the metal broke, and left the heavy bag falling to the floor. I then was disappointed, as I wanted to do some more workout at the moment. So I bought a new and improved metal connector, which is thicker than the first. I bought it like about three and half dollars, I really chose the thickest, so it would never give up on me. It was great at first, but after three days, it snapped after I connected a solid right hand. I was disappointed, for one, I wanted to do some workout but now I can't, and two, I wasted my money for even the thickest metal won't work. I then hitched it up to a strong rope, in the idea that, it would be able to resist, cause it would bend. In the end, it still failed. It was not only in this three instances that this has occurred, but it has happened multiple times. I then gave up the heavy bag training. It is fun, but when you keep fixing it, and especially carrying the damn thing back up, it just pisses me off. So in the end, I left it in the corner of my room. The thing that is hard about not doing the training is that you won't be able to do some displacement, if you know what I mean. The feeling of hate, which is cured in an hour of training is left inside, which makes me miserable. Nonetheless, It must not be relied, so I can better myself, and not be dependent on it. After not working the heavy bag, I've realized I was too much power, but not much speed. Now, I've corrected that, through shadow boxing. Fast hands, I have it. Somehow I feel, I've traded speed and lost a few power. Nonetheless, it must be for the better good. In boxing, power is useless if you can't hit anything. So at least, I had to adjust that. This event, also is the reason, why I've gotten serious in the ab workout and focusing in the region for now. Since I can't do heavy bag, its time I should work out my core. I still have a chiseled upper body, despite the absence of the strength workout. I learned that muscles really last even without stimulation over the course of time, just make sure you maintain a lifestyle for it. So the thing I should develop to perfection is the ab and my thigh. Those stuff, for the championship, what more can you ask. *chuckles* So how strong am I? Let's just see my professional fight, when I hit an opponent. If he staggers, it would be enough of an indication.

Picture: The punching power of Joe Louis

The Me of today

It's been too long since I've posted anything in here once again. I'm really getting bad at updating my blog. I've been busy. I never thought that after first and second year of nursing, I'd get a break, but to no avail. I've been busy in duty. Going to hospitals, taking vital signs, doing nursing interventions, regulating Intravenous Fluid, and a lot more. I've recently got exposed to Major and minor cases, like cord care in newborns, and suturing on open wound. I've seen the gross, but I've learned to live with it. As a nurse, it must be my second nature.. Would you believe a champion like me, simply caring for the sick? My dream is not fulfilled with just being a nurse though, I have to be a doctor. This for me, is just the initial step. So as you may know, I've got lots of dreams, and I'm taking them one at a time. I'm slowly getting into the groove, starting small, and becoming greater. My family is really half medically related and the other half is politically related. I really had a hard time figuring whether I'd be better as a doctor or a lawyer. Either way, I know I can do better in both fields. Boxing? Well I've not related to any boxing pedigree. I've just discovered I love boxing on my own. Its definitely something I'm born with. I get to think If I can hone my God-given talents of strength and an ample amount of speed, I'd be a champion. That is why I believe I'd be a champion, because I know I am capable, and its no fluke that I said I wanted to be one. There is a reason, that is why I keep insisting in the dream. In the past I never thought of being great, just at the moment, when I know the potential is inside of me, I think I would someday be. I say this because, I've got a lot of criticisms and questions about my dream, of being a champion that is. First and foremost, its insulting to talk about my dream and say some bad things about it. People would say, its impossible, that it's nothing, and etc. I know its hard to make people believe, but I can't help it. I can't let people see what I see, and I see that I've got what it takes. Just give me the time, someday, someday.. I'd become what everyone see as, a great warrior, a hero, and an accomplished champion of the ages. I dream of that day to come, as if it were constantly playing in my mind. I won't win a championship, I will take it away from the champion, because I believe there is no champion, like me. At the moment, I would say I haven't had a professional fight, but I believe my skills is that of a fighter that had 8 fights and perhaps knocking 7 of them, and out-boxing the other. I have a superior confidence in my strength, of course, since the day I've discovered it. Right now, I can't put myself in the ring, and I've put a lot of thinking about it. Some boxer also did told me, it is better if I finished school first. I then learned I should put my best in my nursing profession in the mean time. In doing so, I'm reaching the fourth year of college, which is the last. It is high time that I'd get serious about it. Since I knew I get to not box for a while, I thought its much better if I do a couple of bit for myself. One is, I put on braces. Yes, I hated the idea at first, cause I got a few sparring here and there. Braces are very inconvenient, but at the meantime, its definitely a good idea. The other thing I did was work on my abdominal muscles. Not much work though, cause I've chiseled the four abdominal upper field, right now, reverse crunches is done for the lower abdominal field. Mental note: there is no such thing as upper and lower ab, its a misconception, there is only one sheet of the abdominals, and they work as one, not separate. Reverse crunches and double crunches to stimulate the lower field of the abdominal muscle. I got to feel the improvements. Before, It was flab all around, but once you work it out and take protein, you would feel it bulge. Right now, you could feel that I've got the eight abs, but the lower four are not as visible as my upper abs. You could also feel the tightened belly button, as you could feel the lower field of the abdomen bulging, and taking shape. It's quite something new to me. Although I put my education first in this moment in life, I would say that, I would never abandon my dream of being the greatest champion the world of boxing has ever seen. Think of me, as the new Muhammad Ali.

Oh yes! I've almost forgot. In my previous post I said that I reduced to 140 lbs. but at the moment I am at a comfortable 130 lbs. I once had to be at 125 lbs. but rehydrated anyway to a comfortable level in this Super Featherweight. I always thought after I got the weight that I would fight someone like Humberto Soto, I thought I would reach him, but right now he went up in weight, after beating David Diaz. So for me, it's a bummer, we would have made a good fight, if I'd fight someone like him. Right now, I can't think of an opponent that would possibly one that I would face. Perhaps that is why I'm getting softer over the months. Thanks to everyone's criticisms though, I'm back to fight where I last stopped. I would want to print it right to their faces, when the time that I would be a champion takes place.

The Fight of the Century

It has been years, since we saw one of the most significant fights in boxing. There have been gaps wherein boxing has become cold. The last fight however that made a significance in the sport of boxing was the Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. versus Pernell Whitaker match. That fight was the last time a fight has been regarded in utmost importance. It was important, because two of those people have achieved the rating as two of the best fighters of their era. Whitaker, a defensive mastermind versus the slugger in Chavez. The great fights, however, started way back since the days of James Sullivan. Sullivan, was a fighter who totally dismantled all his opponents, was the first fighter to ever hold a title belt in boxing history. He is the first ever heavyweight champion. Throughout the years, boxing has become a staple for people who wants to get their excitement in a combat sport. It then winded down to the days of Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, and Rocky Marciano. Those three, were one of the best fighters of their days, and no wonder they are part of the hall-of-fame and as well as the all-time greats. Then came the days of Sugar Ray Robinson, Henry Armstrong, and Willie Pep. It has been way back in those days, and boxing has already become a very respectable sport. Robinson was the first in their time to receive the first to benefit in pay-per-views. Henry Armstrong, on the other hand got almost half of the boxing title belts. Willie Pep, is one of the all-time greats. Pep had the most victories in boxing than any fighter in the world. Until now, that title still belongs to him. He had 229 victories and a total of 241 fights, a record in boxing history. Those were part of the back and forth existance of the "Golden Age" of boxing. Golden Ages come and go. As great fighters come and go, the age also begins to end and will surely begin again. It is the promise, that brings everyone in boxing believe, that greater days are about to come. As the years goes further after the Robinson Era, a new generation begin to surface. Then came Muhammad Ali, or in the past was Cassius Clay. The Three fights with Frazier was tremendous. The third fight was, to me, the best fight that was made, in the history of boxing. Of course Ali, starting out had to beat the puncher, in Sonny Liston. It was drama in those days, there was the young George Foreman who was sensational in his hay day. Ali was very articulate and he was one of the most influential people in those times, and as well as today. Then there was The Four tigers, as what Top Rank CEO, Bob Arum calls it. It was the era of the eighties. Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, and Marvin Hagler. These four were the greats of the sport in those times. They all have fights on each other, and that was another "Golden Age". Ever heard of the famous sayings, "No mas"? Well, that was the reported words that Roberto Duran said, after he took an embarrassing loss to Leonard. Today, fights that go all-out and non-stop can be compared, defined, and easily associated to the "Hagler-Hearns". In the Eighties it was exciting, although I wasn't yet born, the impact that these four made in boxing is present in our generation. I just love the fights in this era, that I keep watching them. All of the four, are my favorites. In the nineties, however lots of fights took place and the center of it was Oscar De la Hoya, Felix Trinidad, Bernard Hopkins, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Pernell Whitaker, and Sugar Shane Mosely. These were the names in the nineties that shook the world once again, in the name of boxing. De la Hoya was the most popular as he defeats Chavez. After the De la Hoya-Chavez, Mexicans started hating on Oscar. Then the rise of young heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson, who I believe is one of the best punchers in history. Tyson beat Berbick, who was the person who beat the aging Ali. Then comes the fight between Tyson-Holyfield, it was a good fight, but only tarnished by the bad blood, when Tyson bite the ears of Holyfield. Also, the mega-fight between Chavez and Whitaker. Then days come when boxing began to be cold. Then fueled up again with the featherweights in Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales. They were the dominating forces in the 2000's. The three fights of them are a memory in my mind that I cannot forget. Up until, the rise of Filipino sensation Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao beat them all. In those times, the significant fights were, Barrera-Morales, Pacquiao-Marquez, Pacquiao-Morales, Corrales-Castillo, Hopkins-Taylor, and others more I can remember. In present times, there was the mega-fight De la Hoya-Mayweather, Mayweather-Hatton, De la Hoya-Pacquiao, Pacquiao-Hatton, and the very recent Pacquiao-Cotto. It always was a pleasure for me to watch boxing, and until now, it is what keeps me in a good mood. In the recent events where Pacquiao and Mayweather is left as the "ultimate dominating force". It is important to consider their strengths. Pacquiao, is a total offensive genius in the history of boxing, as I would believe. Mayweather, is a total defensive genius in the history of boxing, as I too also believe. These are the two best fighters of their era, that if a clash would happen from them, it will generate millions of dollars in the fight and in pay-per-view. Not only is money the bigger deal, but what matters most are the memories, that will remain in our minds as one of the greatest fights in boxing history. As a boxing fan, I love the idea and would pay a fortune to see them fight. This fight will definitely be one of a kind, and is something that people would talk for ages. I really hope that this fight will happen so that we will feel the excitement once again that the sport creates in itself.

Picture: Floyd "Money" Mayweather on the left, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao on the right.

Boxing is Alive

For the most part, people have been arguing and criticizing the sport of boxing. It has been like that ever since. People say that, boxing is a dead sport, that the people who are related to boxing are a dying breed, but none of that matters now. I would agree to what James Toney, a former Middleweight Champion, said about the current state of boxing. Boxing is definitely alive. I believe that Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. has helped the sport of boxing to its peak as of the moment. Boxing has become so relevant that people have been watching PPV in boxing compared to other combat sports. I believe that, fights related to Pacquiao or Mayweather, would inevitably have superior pay per view buys. This relives the days of Ali, Tyson, Chavez, Leonard, Duran, and a lot of other boxing greats who bring in the bacon, that anybody would pay a dollar to see them fight. Pacquiao and Mayweather have become a legend in boxing. They both bring the entertainment that no other sport brings. They bring excitement, drama, and a lot more. Because of superstars of this era, Boxing has paved its way into bringing it into the worlds consciousness. Boxing has come into one of those legendary golden ages, and I believe, at this moment, we are enjoying a part of greatness in this current golden age of boxing.