Liu resolves never to buy 10lbs of chicken for $1 from the muthafuckin' Circle K. Diego on the other hand, sees nothing but groceries for the month...
Thursday:
6:50am - Showed Diego the WHOLE fight between Nate Campbell and Juan Diaz. How the old man beat up the young bull (literally, Juan is "El Torrito" or "The Baby Bull.") Basically Nate did a lot of not backing up, matching Juan's workrate, and cheating, all to cause Juan to question himself and slow down, making the fight very winnable for Nate. And now at 36, he's a legit Lightweight Champ and next in line to face Joel Casamayor.
7:40am - 1.6mile run.
10:30am - Gym Time:
Mr. Bresner up there made a return to Top Rank. You'll find out why in a moment.
1 round ring-jacks.
4 rounds Shadowboxing.
3 rounds on the soft canvas heavybag.
We were waiting for Bobby. Then we got taped up:
4 rounds sparring.
Now this was a lighter session because it was the 3rd day in a row of work, which we usually don't do. The first round was light and mostly feeling-out and going through the motions. After which Mike asked me for more head-movement and snap in my jab. To which Diego responded with more head-movement of his own. I was DONE after the 3rd but Mike asked for one more, so I bit down on my mouthpiece and put in the last round, which I scarcely remember. But here's some highlights:
My other stance:
Which is why I get called Salvador Sanchez, because Sal used to keep his lead hand underhanded.
Defending the body:
Slipping the jab to bring the counter-cross:
Catching the jab:
Moving in to jab from the Shell while Diego gives me his "VENGA!!" face:
And yes there is footage of this, it should be uploaded properly by tomorrow.
2 rounds Heavybag.
2 rounds double-end bag.
2 rounds speed-bag.
8 minutes rope-skip.
Then we had to leave early because Diego had class.
Friday:
7am - Watched John Duddy show us what happens when you don't move your head in his recent bout with Wallid Smichet. Basically, you get your ass whipped. John looked terrible if not tough in this fight. Wallid was landing at-will, though he faded pretty bad (which cost him the decision in a fight that should have been AT-WORST a draw). Thankfully Pavlik/Duddy is no-longer slated for June, because they'd be burying John in New York.
7:40am - 1.3mile run.
10:30am - Gym Time:
1 round ring-jacks.
2 rounds Shadowboxing.
3 rounds body-snatcher.
1 round Heavybag.
12 minutes mitt-work, working on running numbers and snapping the jab. Funny, some people told me when I began this whole adventure that I stand too sideways. Richie, among others who won't be named. Today Mike told me I should stand MORE sideways.
3 rounds double-end bag.
2 rounds speed-bag.
Conditioning:
Ab-machine circuit x 2.
40 twist-ups.
15 ab roll-outs.
Gym Moments:
Joan Guzman was at our Gym today. He was there to watch and support his Countryman
Geni Mendez for his grueling 5-round sparring session with
Eddie's little Sherman Tank
Lonnie.
Geni (pronounced Henie) said he didn't feel too good, but when he let his hands go he managed to hold-off Lonnie pretty well. Joan, myself, the Rafael Garcia's (Jr. and Sr.), and another of Geni's crew were all encouraging him in Spanish. None of us NEARLY as loud as Eddie shouting at Lonnie. Lonnie's pretty feared in the Gym as he's a beast in sparring, but today I think I noticed he throws wide a lot and really doesn't hit THAT hard. I think Meija is a lot more trouble as a pressure fighter because of his defense and he hits like a truck.
It was cool to be standing next to Joan (who is TINY) and have him tap my hand and go "Toda bien?" Which means "Everything good?"
Again I should have that footage uploaded tomorrow, and part of a Heavybag round as well of both Diego and I. Mike said we put in good work this week and told us to just rest the whole weekend.
