Hello all. First time poster here. Many years ago (30 of them) I used to spar with some of my fellow military members who boxed for real. I learned just a bit of technique, nothing to brag about, and enjoyed it for the activity and of course the great workouts. Fast forward to now and I've recently started to do some of the local boxing fitness classes. I've asked the instructors to also critique my technique during the classes, and they are doing a great job. I slow down and blend working the technique while ending the session with a good overall workout. Now for the issue ..... Two years ago, when I started to exercise again, I discovered that quick (for me) movement resulted in Achilles Tendonitis symptoms. The movements that caused this would be skip rope, ring circles (whatever you call that) and other things that not only require a substantial push off but moreso a landing. The recent boxing fitness and side work has brought this issue forward. What I do now is just bag work, technique, etc. and not any substantial movement. I'd like to engage in their quarterly fight night, which is charity based amateur boxing. I'm sure most of you know what these things are. In order to make it through the three 90 second rounds I have to be at a certain level of fitness, and have put in the proper work on "boxing". I need to develop or adopt a "methodology" that minimizes movement while not turning me into an easy target punching bag. Fight day movement is ok but since I won't be able to work it and work it, that may not be what I can practice. I'd be matched with a person of similar abilities to make the fight fair for all involved. So ..... I'll take any advice on how to prepare for a fight given what we can generically call a calf sprain. It's not that but let's call it that because it would be similar. If someone had a perpetual calf sprain, what would you suggest they do? Sure, "fix that issue" is an answer, and I'm working with doctors to do that, but I have to do something now to prepare. FYI .... power and technique has always been my approach in my athletics. Baseball, baseketball, football, etc. I've never been a quickness kind of guy. I'm 6' 2" and 250lbs right now. In great shape I would probably be 225 lbs, and I'm working towards that. I'd love to be quicker with my feet but I may only be able to marginally improve this with the "calf" issue. Thoughts?
you're already talking with doctors, so do what they say as a priority. I would say up your cardio with swimming and areodynes, making losing weight and calf repair your priorities. losing 10% body weight should make a difference to ease your calves. in the meantime ice your calves immediately after training, and soak in nightly, warm epsom salt baths. afterwards stretch them, massage them and do light abc's with your toes for flexibility.
I appreciate all that, and "will do". In addition to that, if my "situation" is not taken care of, is there a style or methodology which would allow me to participate without working on quicker foot movement? Would I have to master general defense and "in place movement"?
Not sure if I fully understood your situation, but maybe you could try to solve your "calf" before signing up to fight? But sure, I understand you. If you want something, you want it.. Maybe you could work on your double guard and counters? Then he shouldn't be able to hit you clean to easy and you don't need to move much.
Joe Louis' style sounds like a sound bet. I think it might work well in my own case, too. Can anybody out there break down the Louis style a little to help people like me (and presumably the OP?) learn to use it effectively?
I remember. Of course, he had very heavy hands. Obviously, if I can't train properly to be as quick as I can be I'm going to have to have a deterrent for someone just moving and beating the crap out of me. Having a punishing style would give someone something to think about.
I have a bit of time before committing, and I'd make sure I do it with the blessing of the instructors there. They would have to pair me with someone that makes the match "fair" in some combination of factors, whatever they may be. I'm not sure there is a solution to the calf thing. I've been searching (medically, etc) for almost two years. Even had knee surgery. I may be in the "make the best of it, until it is solved" type situation. Given that, what can be done? Is it a bad idea to do the fight night? Maybe. I'd like to do what I can to do myself justice and give the other person a good match. As for your other comment on what to work on, that's exactly right. Double guard, whatever that is (I'll look it up and ask about it), counters, excellent use of jab, whatever it takes. I have almost zero defensive moving so I'll have to begin working on drills over and over and over, which I'm ok with.
Joe Louis: Mechanical Wonder is a good video. Sorry, can't post links from my phone. Keep your feet under your shoulders, small movements and move both feet. Mentally, you have to know the value of small movements. Just moving a couple inches will move you out of range or change the punching angle.
I'll look that video up. Based on comments here I have gone and read a few basic things. The "Blackburn Crouch", etc. I appreciate the video point.
I spent a fair amount of time yesterday watching and reading about Joe Louis's style, and from whom he learned. From that, I dived a bit into others. I know that I could get lost in that! I took a few basic principles and will start to implement them. I'm going to discuss this with the boxing guys at the place I workout. Two of them are basically "boxing fitness" which is fine, but two others are what I would consider actual boxing trainers. I've not spoken extensively to them about having to back off running, ring work, etc. due to what I'm going through but have mentioned it. I'm hoping that by doing a bit of homework, with your help, I'm able to communicate a bit more intelligently with them and move forward. Thanks for all your help, and I hope that if you have further thoughts you will share them. I, in return, will share what I'm going through in the hopes it will help someone else, and to get feedback from this forum.