I nearly threw it all away. Seriously. September at Wembley—that crushing Cacace defeat—I was done. DONE. Laid my gloves on the canvas like every fighter who's ever said goodbye, and walked away thinking that was it.
My media manager James and I had a proper bust-up afterward. I wanted to release something—anything—to make it official. A video, statement, whatever. Just needed to tell teh world I was finished. But James kept saying, "Just wait, Josh. Give it time." I was fuming.
Two weeks of absolute misery followed. Moping around the house, feeling sorry for myself, replaying every moment of that fight. God, I was unbearable to be around.
When Your Body Disagrees With Your Brain
Then something weird happened. I dragged myself back to the gym—not to train properly, just to move around a bit. Get some frustration out.
And everything was still there.
The fitness. The timing. The sharpness. Did some light sparring, hit the pads, and thought to myself, "f***king hell! There's loads left here." Why didn't any of this show up against Cacace?
That's when I started digging deeper. What actually went wrong that night? The physical tools were clearly still there. The mental edge too. Just needed adjustments in a few places.
The Rollercoaster That Never Quite Stopped
Looking back at my career feels like reading someone else's story sometimes. 2018—beating Selby for the gold. Three solid defenses. Then 2021 happened and Lara knocked me into next week. Nobody saw that coming. My wife couldn't even look at me for days after that one.
The rematch? Clash of heads, draw. Frustrating.
Then somehow clawing back the title from Martinez in '22. Leeds went absolutely mental that night. Cost me $400 in bar tabs celebrating.
Three Losses That Haunt Me
No wins in my last three fights. Lopez, Wood, Cacace. Each one stings differently.
The Wood one especially burns. My trainer still maintains we were robbed. "Highway robbery," he calls it at least once a week during training.
Saturday in Sheffield against Khan is where it all restarts. Just need to shake off these cobwebs.
The Hit List (And Yes, I'm Coming For You)
Listen. I'm 34 with no belt right now, but I've still got that massive Leeds fanbase behind me. Nine times out of ten, I deliver entertaining fights—though yeah, that Wembley performance was a bit of a stinker.
My comeback plan? Three fights minimum this year.
Wood rematch is top of my list. Need to settle that score.
Cacace after that. Redemption.
And Mick Conlan... our names have been linked for years but never happened. Make the call, Mick.
Two-time world champion with my resume? I should be walking straight into big fights. Or at least staying busy.
My promoter texted me yesterday: "Still got the fire. Still selling tickets. Still relevant." He's right.
Sometimes you need to almost lose everything to remember why you do this in the first place.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of diet would you recommend for a new boxer?
Beginner boxers need to eat a healthy diet, including carbohydrates for energy and lean protein for muscle repair and development. They should also consume plenty of vegetables and fruits for vitamins and mineral content. Drinking plenty of water is important before, during and after your workouts.
What equipment will I need to begin boxing?
For safety and to ensure effective training, you need the right equipment. The essential gear includes boxing glove, wrist and hand wraps that protect you, a helmet, a mouthguard for sparring, and a pair or gloves. Additionally, boxing shoes and comfortable athletic clothing are recommended for better movement and support.
How important are recovery sessions in boxing?
Boxing is all about recovery, as it allows you to grow stronger and heal faster. Recovery is aided by proper rest, stretching exercises, sufficient sleep, hydration as well as a nutritious and balanced diet. Ignoring recover can lead overtraining, injury and decreased performances.
How long does it usually take for a boxer to master the art?
The time it takes to become proficient in boxing varies widely among individuals, depending on factors such as natural ability, consistency in training, quality of instruction, and dedication to practice. With regular training, your basic skills could improve significantly within a few short months.
How often should an amateur boxer train?
Beginners will benefit from two to three sessions of boxing a week. Allowing time for rest, recovery and relaxation between workouts is important. As you get more comfortable with the sport and gain fitness, you can increase the intensity and frequency of your training.
Is boxing good for getting fit?
Boxing is an excellent exercise to improve fitness. It is a full body, high intensity workout that increases cardiovascular health, muscular endurance, coordination, and flexibility. It can also be a good way to reduce stress, and it boosts your confidence and discipline.
What is the significance of breathing during boxing?
Proper breathing is essential in boxing as it helps to regulate your energy, maintain stamina, and keep you relaxed during training or a bout. To manage oxygen intake and output, you should breathe rhythmically and exhale with each punch. Inhale through your nose and then exhale through your mouth.
Statistics
- Beginner boxers tend to make the mistake of holding their breath in 70% of cases during their initial training sessions.
- Cardiovascular fitness improvements can be seen after just 12 weeks of consistent boxing training.
- Studies show that proper hand wrapping can reduce the chance of hand and wrist injuries by as much as 40%.
- Approximately 80% of boxing injuries occur during training, not in actual competition.
- It is estimated that 60% of beginner boxers do not use the correct size gloves, which can increase the risk of injury.
- Nearly 95% of boxing trainers agree that mental conditioning is just as important as physical training for beginners in the sport.
- 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.
- On average, beginners who undergo proper boxing training can expect to burn anywhere from 300 to 500 calories per hour.
- Approximately 50% of beginner boxers drop out within the first six months, highlighting the importance of sustaining motivation and setting realistic goals.
- Around 90% of boxers suffer a minor injury over the course of a year, with only 10-15% experiencing a moderate to severe injury.
External Links
How To
How to deliver a powerful uppercut in Boxing
If delivered correctly, an uppercut is a powerful punch that can transform a fight. You can lower your rearhand slightly by bending your knees and dropping your level. As you thrust your hip up and pivot your rear foot, drive your rear arm in a upward arc toward your opponent's body or chin. Use your lead hand to shield your face and use your legs and core, not only your arm, to generate power.
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