[Liu Jin]

Liu has a headache...

7am - Began the morning with the mini-war of minor significance between the aging Javier Jauregui and Miguel Angel Huerta. Huerta's been jipped out of some decisions, but gets good fights because he's exciting and limited enough that bigger name guys should beat him. Sort of like Terdsak Jandaeng. This was another one of those jips.

Jauregui/Huerta.

8am - 1.5 mile run.

10:30am - Gym Time.

5 minute stretch.

1 round ring-jacks.

2 rounds Shadowboxing.

2 rounds canvas heavybag to warm up for sparring.

5 rounds moderate sparring.

First 3 with Junior.

Things I did well:

- Footwork. Was specifically on today.
- Combinations. Good numbers.
- Counter-left.
- Go to the body.

Things I sucked at:

- Defending the left hook, but off the jab. Junior does this thing where he taps your forehead then pops a FAST hook off it.
- Slow down. Was going too fast.
- Landing the right hook.
- Dropping elevation.

These are the things I need to do to perform better against Junior. Get lower, jab more. Figure out how to land my right hook which is difficult because he leans in to his right HARD when I come in deep.

Last 2 with Diego.

Things I did well:

- Keep from getting mauled. He came out like a bat out of Hell.
- Land the left hook.
- Jab when I did it.
- Re-gain composure when I started to gas.

Things I sucked at:

- Numbers fell off dramatically, starting landing one at a time.
- Didn't relax fast enough when I knew I was tiring.
- Uppercut up the middle.
- Jab enough.

It's crazy to spar both of these guys in one session. Junior is bigger and hits harder, but every bit as slick as I am, so I have to do most of the work in going at him. Diego comes right at me bobbing and throwing more volume than humanly comprehensible. I have to go from being the aggressor to being the counter-puncher, in less than a minute.

2 rounds speed-bag.

Conditioning:

Push-up circuit x 2.

30 dips.

Ran out of time.

Gym Moments:

Gave Mike Adam's gift of this:



No one knew who it was, including the old timer Mitch. Everyone thought it was Joe Louis, ignoring that Joe never had a huge gash on his head like that. Only Mike knew it's:

Holman Williams.

The funny part came when I told Rodney that Holman was one of the most avoided Fighters in Boxing History. Mike said "yeah, like me." Ronnie retorted:

"Man everybody and they Mama fought you. James Toney used to tat that ass..."

Ouch.

Also Ramon was in the Gym today sparring with one of Steve's Fighters and with Lonnie Smith. Mike asked Diego if he'd work with Ramon and Diego got a look on his face like he wanted to knock him out, and said "Pssh, sure I'll do it." I said to Mike "You kidding? He's Mexican..." Mike cut me off and said "Ah know, crazy, fight anybody, dun give a shit."

[Liu Jin]

6:52 - Began the morning with the fight between our sometimes Gym mate Ramon Montano when he took on David Diaz on the Pac/Marquez II undercard. Ramon and I have a lot in common. He comes from a kickboxing background primarily, and he's forging himself as a Boxer via sparring. He also has a lot of talent for Boxing on the outside, but is a little too Mexican for his own good. See for yourself:

Diaz/Montano.

7:40am - 1.6 mile run.

10:30 - Gym Time.

5 minute stretch.

1 round ring-jacks.

2 rounds Shadowboxing.

3 rounds body-snatcher.

5 rounds Heavybag.

20 minutes mitt-work. The whole first "round" was nothing but quadruple jabs. For real. Mike said "When I say I wan you tah put dah whip on dem, das what I mean. DAS da whip!" Then we did like 5 minutes of me fainting the jab low and high. Mike LOVED this, he said it's one of the only things he told me to do that I did right on the first time. Said I should feint a lot more. The next bit was mostly the snapping jab and 1-2, into combinations. Then we did a wicked one for a while, slip-slip-block uppercut-4-3-2-3-2-1. Took me forever to get the timing right but when I did, ran it off with fury.

2 rounds speed-bag.

Ran out of time here, how fast Noon creeps up nowadays.

Gym Moments:

Richie asked me how long I been training. Nearly a year. He was impressed he said. Asked if I'd fought yet and I said no, he said I look ready. Asked what I weigh, said I should be at 147 because I have the height and reach to do well there.

Isn't he the guy who said the best I'd be was a human heavybag?

[David Bolton]

Good session.

About the Philly shell. I am not too familar with it so bare with me. Have there been any fighters who have used this style with mainly an offensive nature (coming forward most of the time, kinda like a brawler)? I see that the majority who use it like to stand their ground or fight on the back foot a little. Or do most fighters who use it switch to a more traditional guard when coming forward and use the shell when fighting on the backfoot? Other than Toney and Mayweather, who has used this style at world class level? My bad if that question is too muddled up.

[Mr. Sinister]

Well here's the thing about that David. If anyone did as you're describing, then it'd cease to be the Philly Shell. The Shell is not just named so by stance, it's also how you respond to punches. The tucking of the lead shoulder to deflect, the roll with the rear-hand high to block, the countering hooks and crosses of such a motion, the flicking up-jab or flip-jab.

Have there been brawlers who fight with a lead-hand low? Sure. Thulani Malinga comes to mind, second oldest man to legitimately win a World Title. And someone he fought and gave fits to, arguably beating Chris Eubank also fits the profile. Eubank and Malinga both had the stances of counter-punchers, but were brawlers by nature and disposition:



Also, Mike himself when he dropped the lead-hand, turned into a KO puncher with his left hook:

[fightingrabbit]

Originally Posted by David Bolton

Good session.

About the Philly shell. I am not too familar with it so bare with me. Have there been any fighters who have used this style with mainly an offensive nature (coming forward most of the time, kinda like a brawler)? I see that the majority who use it like to stand their ground or fight on the back foot a little. Or do most fighters who use it switch to a more traditional guard when coming forward and use the shell when fighting on the backfoot? Other than Toney and Mayweather, who has used this style at world class level? My bad if that question is too muddled up.

I recall Gatti carrying his left low against PBF. But then again, i dont think that was quite a philly shell. More like, just a low left hand that got him bludgeoned into bolivian.

I was watching Mccallum vs Toney, didnt finish watching, but i saw just what you were saying. When Toney would box, he would keep his hands up in a traditional guard, and at times he would revert back to the shoulder roll defense.

Tommy Hearns didnt use the philly shell defense (not that i know of) But he stalked his opponents with a low left hand and peppered them his flicking jab, followed by a chopping right. But the Motor City Cobra was one of a kind. By that i mean that motherfucker had some freakishly long arms. But uh then again he wasnt a brawler.

Originally Posted by King Kabuki

Also, Mike himself when he dropped the lead-hand, turned into a KO puncher with his left hook:

ahh. Curry didnt see that hook coming. Literally. Carrying your left low is advantageous in that way no? In that your left hand seemingly appears from nowhere in the eyes of your opponent. Proves it, with the aforementioned flicker jab and that phantom left hook.

What was Mike known as before? if not a KO puncher? I cant explain his style, It seems he wasnt anchored to any one in particular. Its real clean watching him fight though. He boxes yet he comes off as a big puncher in that, he wont look for the knockout but he'll let that big punch come to him.

[Liu Jin]

What was Mike known as before? if not a KO puncher?

When he first began his career he was more of a mauler, kind of limited in relying on his strength and size, then he learned to Box after losing to Sumbu Kalambay, and got more and more savvy as the years went on. He became more of a Boxer/Puncher, with exceptional toughness, endurance, and mental strength.

[fightingrabbit]

Originally Posted by Liu Jin

When he first began his career he was more of a mauler, kind of limited in relying on his strength and size, then he learned to Box after losing to Sumbu Kalambay, and got more and more savvy as the years went on. He became more of a Boxer/Puncher, with exceptional toughness, endurance, and mental strength.

yeah a boxer/puncher was what i was going to describe him as..in the way that he'll be boxing you up, defending and eating jabs high and low, then when the right time comes for it, the big punch that you know he possesses comes in outta nowhere. Its just like watching one big set up.

[Liu Jin]

Today must have been ass-whoopin' day at Top Rank...

6:48am - Began the morning with the first fight between Azumah Nelson and Jeff Fenech. This is the fight where it was later revealed that Azumah had suffered a case of Malaria only days before the fight. Most times people would dismiss such a claim, but were it not for the result of the second fight. Anyhow, the first is still excellent, the 3rd round in particular:

Nelson/Fenech I.

7:40am - 1.5 mile run.

10:30am - Gym Time.

10 minute stretch.

2 round ring-jacks.

4 rounds Shadowboxing.

3 rounds canvas Heavybag.

5 rounds sparring.

I wanted to let Diego get in some rounds since he only got 2 the other day, we aimed for 6 but I started to fade worse than I should have in about the 4th or so. Diego's becoming problematic in the sense that the things I used to do don't work anymore. Then again I've also been standing my ground more and not so much relying on retreating, trying to figure out the medium between being offensive and defensive, as I don't want to rely on one or the other.

Things I did well:

- Jab. I wanted to jab more, I did.
- Get lower. When necessary I think I dropped elevation well.
- Use footwork without running per se. I minimized my stepping, to good effect.
- Land clean in openings.

Things I didn't do so well:

- Go to the body. Just neglected to for some reason.
- Combination punch sufficiently. Diego now just waits for 2 or 3 then counters. I need to throw 5-6.
- Uppercuts. I wanted to run off uppercuts more, didn't quite pull it off.
- Roll. I need to roll more.

At one point I spent almost 2 rounds trying to get Diego's back to touch the ropes. I had him like an INCH away, and tried to throw ONE more straight left, to no avail. Little bastard avoided it. I got caught with some good stuff in staying in with someone who throws as much as he does.

2 rounds body-snatcher. Mike wanted me to go all-out. In the first I just couldn't, but in the second I heeded his words that I had it in me, and threw with fury. He was pleased.

2 rounds speed-bag.

Time ran out again. Odd week this has been. No conditioning to speak of (tomorrow will be that) but some of the best Boxing work that we've ever done.

Gym Moments:

So yeah, Cisse actually got beat up by Tye a little bit, but I think he was sick. Then Diego and I go to War and get the attention off the behemoths.

Then later on Speedy goes in and puts the beat-down on Josh, who had to quit after two rounds and got berated by Richie who was working his corner (I had flashbacks), then Sharif smacked speedy around, and furthermore Sharif smacked Josh around even more. Josh looked distraught.

Then, Stephan got in with Clarence and this is where the high drama started. I don't know what went on in the first round but when I got out of the locker room Stephan was doing the John Ruiz "jab-and-grab." Everyone in the Gym was yelling at him, and Aaron jumped in the ring to Ref (sort of joke, sort of not)...then Stephan quit after the second round, and Mike straight walked away from him. Which brings me to a bit of a rant:

For the first time I feel slightly embarrassed for Mike. When the shit with Duncan went down, I didn't say much because Duncan has in many ways paid his dues, whatever he's going through he's earned the right in Boxing to go through it. Mike just can't be part of it. But Mike was being charitable to train Stephan, and this guy has a shot at a TV fight against a mufucka who CAN'T fight, and he pulls this shit in sparring? He wasn't hurt or anything, just acted like a total clown.

Now I know there's a lot of Sherdog critics about me, that I haven't fought yet, whatever. But I get my ass in that Gym every day, I PAY Mike, I make real sacrifices to be able to be part of it in any way. Hell just today I talked to Sharif myself because Mike was having trouble getting Eddie or Jesse to even let their guys get in with Sharif. I told the Ugandan future Superstar that if he'd only show up at 11am instead of Noon (he ain't got no day job)
Diego and I would be more than happy to go rounds with him. Everyone else is chicken-shit, I offered to spar Sharif even at the END of the workout today. I've offered Josh as well, and the only reason Jesse doesn't work me is none of his guys who are my size are around.

And Stephan pulls this shit? Mike said "Dis man dun wanna Fight. Fuckin joke. Fuckin' wasse of mah time." For all this shit Stephan's talked, all he had to do was put in TWO good rounds of work with Clarence, then get on TV and knock this basketball player out, and eh'd be talked about all over Las Vegas. But that appears to be too much for him. I don't get it. He needs a fuckin' membership to LA Boxing or something, where he can be a bag bully in peace. I like the dude as a person, but that shit was just terrible and if he comes back and asks my opinion, he's going to hear it. "Dude, you looked like a straight Chump, and if you pull that shit with Kamballa you might just get your ass whooped afterall."

It's starting to turn out that if it's ONE thing that pisses me off it's mufuckas who say they want to work, but when it comes down to doing the work all they want to do is hang out at the Gym. I'm glad that shit is minimalized at Top Rank, because when it happened today it stood out so bad Stephan will probably never show up again. It's funny, too because just before that incident he and I were discussing what if a sparring partner tries to kick your ass for real. I told him sometimes I WANT my ass kicked for real, even if it's from Diego, who is like a Brother to me. He didn't seem to comprehend that, kept asking if it should be an agreement made ahead of time.

So yeah, if you're that punk mufucka who comes to the Gym and when it comes time to do work you act like a moron, then I hope you get your ass kicked and sent out the Gym so the trainer whose time you're wasting can focus more on the guys who actually pay him, AND are willing to take their beatdowns like men when they come.

At least Josh took his lumps, and got back in there. So did Cisse. So did Speedy with Sharif. And Hell right this second I got a jammed thumb, sore nose (thought Diego broke it with a right hand), got thumbed in the eye, and am absolutely looking forward to getting mauled by the former Captain of the Ugandan National Team.

This is the business of hurt.

[fightingrabbit]

so refresh my memory. Stephan was getting courtesy training, said he wanted to fight, got in to spar, got roughed up a little and ranked out in the second round?

I dont get it. What was going through his head when he quit after the second? Did he not want to get beat up anymore? Or was he just not taking the session seriously and giving a half assed spar thinking it was all a joke? Or a combination of the two.

[Mr. Sinister]

I'm not even sure. I never asked what he paid Mike but I know he was out of work because of a strike in Vegas on a construction project. He said "I pay Mike what I can"...and he was on the $5 a day "bum" plan for the Gym dues.

I didn't stick around after he quit but to say goodbye to Mike, that's when Mike said Stephan's a joke. So for all I know it could be all of the above.

Either way, fuck him. If he's gonna act like a fucking girl like that then I'm glad because he won't detract Mike's attention from us anymore.