When time catches up?

Seer · Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Posts: 11681 Location: Alba

Further to comments made in recent months about fighters retiring from the ring...

The general concensus seemed to be most want Evander Holyfield and Wayne McCullough to hang the gloves up - Right?

So what the hell keeps them going? I can only draw on my own experience, but hopefully there may be some kind of insight into the mind of a fighter.

Most here already know I was a keen amateur... and yes... I was a featherweight! :lol:

Anyway, I haven't fought for some 20 years, during which time I stopped training, smoked, got pissed very frequently and piled the weight on!

Last Christmas, at the works party, a couple of my lads had a bit too much and started arguing. This carried on outside the pub and they were ready for having a go on the pavement, until I stepped in and threatened them both with the sack!

Whilst this was happening, one of the local hardmen pulled his jacket off and faced up to me... He was itching for a fight... I grabbed his throat with my left hand and very quickly ran/pushed him into the pub's side alleyway. I pinned him against the wall, still by the throat, with my right fist raised. I left him in no uncertain terms if he didn't back off I'd do him.

He then claimed he was only 'kidding'... :? :wank:

He walked away leaving me to gather my thoughts... Then the realisation hit me... Without a punch being thrown, I was KNACKERED! I was shaking with the adrenalin coursing my veins. I was panting for breath! I realised there and then... It hit me like a big f**king baseball bat... I can't do this anymore! :shock:

He didn't beat me... I DID... If that makes sense?

You see, despite not being fit, not having fought for 20 years, not being young anymore, my body not being capable... My MIND said otherwise!

So, could it be the fighters mind that keeps them going?

Perhaps some fighters who are in decline, need to find themselves in an alleyway too!

winky06 · Joined: 02 Mar 2006 Posts: 7213 Location: South London

:clap:

Only the fighter will know when they can't carry on. Mentally, you will always be a fighter, the behaviour of punching/kicking etc has been reinforced day after day, year after year - you won't lose that, it becomes innate, they say a trained fighter will throw more punches in one week than an average person will throw in a lifetime.

The body will tell the mind when it's ready to give up.

P.S change the last sentance of this article, it just isnt right....

Seer · Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Posts: 11681 Location: Alba

I never noticed that... Sorted! :lol:

winky06 · Joined: 02 Mar 2006 Posts: 7213 Location: South London

it's still not to my liking, do you have to use the term back alley ?

why not alley ?

Well if a bunch of anoraks "homosexuals" flock over here, we know why... :wink:

rich'undisputed'haines · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 1519 Location: hampshire

I think it can be different things for different fighters

For some its the money - they need it or cant turn it down

For others its the fact that they have nothing else to do - going from having people around you, a trainer telling you what and how to do things, a nutrionist telling you when and what to eat a promoter telling you where to be and what to say - to suddenly being able to do what you want when you want - to have nothing to work towards. I think some fighters miss the routine and the life

I also think some miss the spotlight the buzz and adrenaline that comes with fight night

Others just love to fight - its what they do - its what they live for and they just cant stop

Others are deluded - they convince themselves that something was wrong other than them that their trainer or an injury or the promoter or something other than them was at fault and as long as they change that then they can still be champ

And for others its the fear of missing out, of never knowing if they were good enough for 1 last run

rich'undisputed'haines · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 1519 Location: hampshire

I think it can be different things for different fighters

For some its the money - they need it or cant turn it down

For others its the fact that they have nothing else to do - going from having people around you, a trainer telling you what and how to do things, a nutrionist telling you when and what to eat a promoter telling you where to be and what to say - to suddenly being able to do what you want when you want - to have nothing to work towards. I think some fighters miss the routine and the life

I also think some miss the spotlight the buzz and adrenaline that comes with fight night

Others just love to fight - its what they do - its what they live for and they just cant stop

Others are deluded - they convince themselves that something was wrong other than them that their trainer or an injury or the promoter or something other than them was at fault and as long as they change that then they can still be champ

And for others its the fear of missing out, of never knowing if they were good enough for 1 last run

crosdale · Joined: 25 Nov 2005 Posts: 3476 Location: Ireland

Seer wrote: Further to comments made in recent months about off I'd do him.

He then claimed he was only 'kidding'... :? :wank:
!

How is that wanking material

Martin · Posted: July 04 2007, 10:19 AM Post subject:

"I came out of retirement when I realised I'd already mowed the lawn 3x that day" - Joe Frazier

Seer · Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Posts: 11681 Location: Alba

crosdale wrote: Seer wrote: He then claimed he was only 'kidding'... :? :wank:

How is that wanking material

Erm... As in... I am stating he was a wanker??? :thinking:

crosdale · Joined: 25 Nov 2005 Posts: 3476 Location: Ireland

Okay, i tought because you scared him it gave you a horn :D

Seer · Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Posts: 11681 Location: Alba

crosdale wrote: Okay, i tought because you scared him it gave you a horn :D

:lol:

Hell no... He was acting like a prick but changed his tune quickly!