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Originally Posted by mschatz

Liu's gettin' skinny.

You two can start your dream careers of being runway models now.

[mschatz]

Say's the fat guy who's taking a hell of a sabbatical from training...

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Originally Posted by mschatz

Say's the fat guy who's taking a hell of a sabbatical from training...

Fat yes, but i started liftin again. Of course i also sprained my ankle so bad it nearly fell off 3 weeks ago. Just wait, once i get down to San Diego ill be the 97th alternate for the 2012 olympics. If there is a mass suicide bombing i will for sure make the team.

[Liu Jin]

6:50am - Began the morning with what was supposed to be a stay-busy fight that turned into a nice little war between "Travieso" Jorge Arce and Tomas "Gusano" Rojas. It kind of reminded me of when Diego and I trade punches, because Rojas had the height and hand-speed, and is a Southpaw, and Arce is known as a stead-fast brawler with a good beard.

Arce/Rojas.

7:20am - 1.8 mile run.

10:15am - Gym Time.

10 minute stretch.

1 round ring-jacks.

3 rounds Shadowboxing.

3 rounds body-snatcher. Mitch actually complimented me.

3 rounds heavy-bag focusing mostly on up-and-down work. Figured out a new combination I like. 1-2b-4-2-1.

3 rounds double-end bag.

3 rounds speed-bag.

Conditioning:

Ab-machine circuit x 2.

30 twist-ups.

2 rounds twist-bar.

Gym Moments:

Mike showed up late but was actually there, wasn't sure if he would be because of the weigh-in for Clottey/Judah. I need to ask him now how come he wasn't in the corner, it may have been a politicking move, who knows?

I actually thought Zab fought better than people seem to think he fought, true Clottey's right-hand made him look bad, but aside from the 3 or 4 good right hands he'd land in a round that made the rounds his, Zab was doing the better work IMO. It's hard to say where the fight was going, Clottey was looking strong, Zab was taking damage but seemed to be able to up the tempo when he wanted, could have been saving something to close strong.

I don't think Zab wanted out either. The British broadcasting team said they thought he said he couldn't see because of the cut, then when the Doctor wiped the blood he said he COULD see, at which point the Doctor checked and agreed he couldn't see.

Either way Zab's best bet, is to move to 140 and beat the shit out of Hatton. The only guys I see giving him a huge problem there are N'Goudjou or N'Dou.

[Liu Jin]

Hey Liu , do you know one Ray Garcia by chance? I dunno if he trains at Top Rank or not, but he might have mentioned it. He trains some guys out of Kernville, about an hour out of Bakersfield.

Nah I don't know him. At least, not by name.

[Liu Jin]

Today basically we just played handball.

However, I said earlier I had something to say about our Latvian pal's comment earlier about this journey, and the road to me fighting and whatnot.

More times than not I try to report all of the positive aspects of this venture, but it's been anything but sunshine and daisies as some of the posts have indicated. I catch a lot of e-flack for not having fought yet, sometimes even by people who know better but just feel that by now they'd have either sank or swam. That's all fine and dandy, and I respect whatever decisions some people would have felt they'd have made along the way, but this path is my own, I'm the one who has made the sacrifices, the one who hardly hears from my own Family, and has to wake up every day realizing what's on the line.

In my head, I'm still fine to end up nothing more than a steadily paid sparring partner, or one of the many trialhorse journeymen that are essential to those shiny records most prospects have. But it seems some people believe I'm capable of more than that, and think of me in a protective way. This is something I'm definitely not used to. Add that to the fact that Boxing really is a dirty dirty business, and it makes for not just getting right out there unless you knowingly accept that if you lose any of your first couple fights, even by robbery, it could be over before it begins.

I'm willing to accept this risk, of course, just as steadfastly as I signed the release alleviating Top Rank from any liabilities that could come of me getting my face smashed or lungs punched out by a more vastly experienced Pro. But, I'm also in agreement with Mike that if I DO have some talent, and some time given that my body isn't battle-weary, then I want to go about it the right way. Yes it's taken a long time, but I can't even begin to describe the differences in me between the day we walked in to Top Rank, and now. Mike even said the other day that it's not now very obvious the lack of extensive Amateur background.

It's understandable a lot of the criticisms I've gotten. I don't actually really have any animosity about it. A lot of people have a lot of perspectives, some that I'm wasting my time to begin with, some that I'm wasting any talent I may have, some that I'm wasting opportunities (a bit of envy perhaps that I'd be in this position and seem to them to be not making much of it). All that said, as of right now I feel good about where I'm at regardless of the angst of wanting to fight (contrary to some opinions). It's been a rough year where everything positive that happened doesn't pay immediate dividends, but instead are future investments. It's honestly the first time in my life I've had to conduct myself in such a manner for a long period of time, and I'm finally getting adjusted to it. I think it'll be one of my defining characteristics in the ring when the day comes, even if the best I'll ever be is possibly a fun TV Fighter. It's not all about conquering the World, but doing something very few people believe is possible but yourself.

[mschatz]

Nice read. Dont worry about the haters Liu. As long as you're doing what you and Mike think you need to.

[jelisejs]

As Mike has been in this business for like a century I believe he does know what`s best for you Liu. With the work you`ve been putting in, time will only make you better...

[viel cazzo]

Liu I know you have a good head on your shoulders and you're with one of the best in the business. I know when you feel you're ready and Mike feels you're ready...some guy somewhere will be tasting canvas. Plain and simply. I get married Sunday and when I get back I'll be mailing out your shirts as well as Diego's.

[Mr. Sinister]

BTW - Say Happy Birthday to Diego.