God. There's nothing quite like the raw awkwardness of a boxer telling his opponent to his face that he's basically mediocre. That's exactly what happened when Dave Allen sat across from Johnny Fisher and delivered one of those moments that makes everyone in the room shift uncomfortably in their seats.
"You can't be any good. It's just impossible," Allen told Fisher bluntly during their face-to-face interview.
I watched this exchange three times and still cringed each time. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife.
The First Fight Left A Bad Taste
Let's rewind a bit. These two first squared off six months ago in Saudi Arabia (land of ridiculous boxing purses) where Fisher scraped by with a controversial split decision win. Many fans - myself included - thought Allen was robbed after he dropped Fisher in the fifth round.
I remember texting my buddy during that fight: "How the hell did they score it for Fisher???" His response: "Boxing judges smoking something special tonight."
When Honesty Gets Uncomfortable
During their pre-fight sitdown, Allen didn't hold back. At all.
"I think you're okay, to be honest," he told the 26-year-old Fisher, in what might be the most backhanded compliment in boxing history.
Allen, 33, went on to explain his reasoning: "You're a great athlete, phenomenal athlete as you say, you played rugby, good, fast, strong, powerful... I would say great athlete, okay boxer."
Ouch.
Then came teh knockout punch (verbally speaking): "You had 12 amateur fights and how many pro fights (13)? You can't be any good. It's just impossible."
Fisher's Ice-Cold Response
To his credit, Fisher didn't take the bait. He simply replied, "For me, a British title is a phenomenal achievement."
Allen wasn't having it though. "What I'm saying is, if you were to win a British title it wouldn't be from your boxing ability it would be from being a good athlete and a good puncher."
Listen. I've been covering boxing since 2011, and sometimes these pre-fight interviews feel like watching someone slowly pull off a bandaid. This was more like watching someone rip it off while maintaining uncomfortable eye contact.
Can Fisher Prove Allen Wrong?
The rematch goes down Saturday at the Copper Box Arena, and I've got twenty quid riding on Allen with my editor (who's inexplicably a Fisher fan... probably because they both played rugby or something).
Fisher later added, "I've never made predictions in any of my fights whether it's going to be a knockout or round one. You have to be prepared for any eventuality, as you said."
True enough.
What's Really At Stake Here?
Both fighters are hovering around that British title level, which isn't world-beating but still respectable. Back in 2019, I interviewed Allen after one of his fights and he told me his goal was always to be remembered as "a proper boxer, not just a tough guy." This rematch feels personal for him in that way.
For Fisher, it's about proving he belongs. That he's not just an athlete who happens to box.
Saturday night can't come soon enough.
Poor Fisher. (Or maybe poor Allen if the judges screw him again.)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I protect my self in boxing
To defend yourself in boxing you can use a few techniques. For example, maintaining a solid defense with your hand up, using footwork as if to maintain distance and utilizing head movements like slips, roll and weaves. As important as learning your offensive moves, it is also crucial to learn defensive skills.
Boxing can improve mental health.
Boxing can significantly improve mental health by reducing stress, enhancing mood, boosting self-esteem, providing a sense of accomplishment, and promoting discipline. The mental focus needed during training can act as a kind of meditation. This helps to improve your concentration and clarity.
Is boxing good for getting fit?
Yes, boxing is an excellent way to improve overall fitness. The full-body workout improves cardiovascular and muscular health, as well as endurance, coordination and agility. It's also an excellent way to relieve stress. It will boost your confidence, as well as discipline.
What are common boxing mistakes beginners make?
Common mistakes include overextending punches, dropping the hands, ignoring defense, holding the breath, neglecting footwork, and focusing too much on power rather than technique. To prevent these mistakes from becoming habitual, a qualified coach can identify them and correct them early.
Can I learn Boxing at Home?
While you can start learning boxing at home through instructional videos or fitness apps, it's recommended to train at a gym with a qualified coach to ensure you're mastering the techniques correctly. Boxing gyms also provide the necessary equipment as well as the chance to practice alongside others.
What is professional and amateur boxing?
Amateur boxing is typically focused more on the sport aspect, with an emphasis on skill, technique, and points scored rather than knockouts. Often, the rounds are shorter and require protective headgear. Professional boxing on the other is a career that requires full-time commitment. There are longer rounds with no headgear and an emphasis on power.
Statistics
- It is estimated that 60% of beginner boxers do not use the correct size gloves, which can increase the risk of injury.
- Roughly 75% of beginners do not employ adequate defensive tactics in their first sparring sessions.
- An analysis of boxing workouts demonstrates that participants can maintain a heart rate at 75-85% of their maximum, which is the optimal range for cardiovascular training.
- About 25% of people who take up boxing transition to competitive amateur boxing within their first two years of training.
- Nearly 80% of boxing training injuries are related to incorrect technique, especially within the first three months of taking up the sport.
- On average, beginner boxers improve their punching power by 10%-20% after six months of consistent training.
- Despite the stereotype that boxing is a young person's sport, approximately 20% of all beginners are over the age of 40.
- Cardiovascular fitness improvements can be seen after just 12 weeks of consistent boxing training.
- Beginner boxers tend to make the mistake of holding their breath in 70% of cases during their initial training sessions.
- Boxing has one of the lowest rates of injury compared to other contact sports, with approximately 1.1 injuries per 1,000 minutes of athletics.
External Links
How To
How to mentally prepare yourself for boxing?
Mental game is key to success in boxing. Before training, develop a routine which could include mental rehearsals and visualization of techniques. You can also set goals for each training session. Meditation and positive self-talk can improve your focus and help you manage stress. Boxing is as important for learning and improving as it as about competition. Be sure to go into each session open-minded and with determination.
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