[Standard]

Little too much downtime here for my liking. I thought Liu said you had a work ethic...


Stance is my biggest problem too, keeping my feet wide and knees bent is hard as hell for me to do.

[Liu Jin]

He's been working out pretty much all day for like the past week. Diego's down-time is active (he does push-ups and v-ups all day, even at work) Mr. "I don't know about all that Boxing stuff."

[Diego Lara]

Yes, it's true, I'm a fatass trying to make a fighter of my lard, but never fear, I'll be in tip top shape faster than you can eat a slice of cheesecake. They make movies about this sorta stuff, but they don't do well at the box office.

Fri 8/31: No running today. The last week of not training has shown me how out of shape I am, the arms and legs hurt but it'll be gone by Monday. I want to be in the best condition I can be for Mike. I get up an hour before gym time to collect myself.

10:30 am: Gym time. I expected Mike to be there when I arrived, but he's not, and I already know we won't be training today. No hard feelings, one thing I've learned very quickly in the boxing world is: punctuality is not a requisite for the elite. Tis all good, tho. Start off with 3 rounds of stretching/ shadow boxing warm up, then 2 rounds of skipping rope.

Next, 4 rounds on the body snatcher. I forgoe my usual focus on defense to focus only on improving my stance, and in the 3rd and 4th I move about more. After that come 4 rounds on the heavy bag. Despite the ache in my arms, I think I'm getting stronger. I move around and muscle the bag in between practicing combos. Mike finally arrives before my last round, and Liu warns him that this is strike 3. Mike says we're allowed 3 strikes a month, right? Right. After I finish my last round, I go to talk to Mike, he asks me what I did today, he asks me, "Have you tried that one?" and points to the double end bag. "No" is my reply. He tells me to go one round, and I have to force myself to not get self-conscious as I usually do when someone is watching me. I do what I know, and halfway through the round Mike steps up to bag and says, "Go around it, go around." He circles the bag and jabs. I get it. I do one more round, he watches, but says nothing. Later, Liu tells me that if he doesn't say anything, then I'm not screwing up. Good.
I finish after the second round, then it's time for work. I did 10 rounds of work, and I felt like I could do ten more. Of course, later on my body tells me that it was a good thing I didn't do ten more, and I feel good about this workout. Mike says we start on Monday,and I'm gonna be pissed if he's late again. I'm getting anxious to spar, cuz I think next time I'm gonna be alot harder to hit, and I might even impress someone. I'll be slicker than bean dip in the summer. Firefox out.

[Diego Lara]

Tue 9/4: First start off with yesterday's workout. As I had said before, Mon was supposed to be the day I started training with good ol Mike McCallum. However, one thing I quickly learned in the sport of boxing was: don't expect anyone to be where they say they'll be when they say they'll be there; boxers can be a tad forgetful and spacey at times, and that's just the nature of the sport, it comes with the territory. With this in mind, I was on my way to the gym when I get a call from Liu, who's already there, and he tells me the gym is CLOSED today. Naturally. Never fear, Liu and I decide to do our normal Saturday routine at home. My friend Raleigh had spent the night, and he was interested in watching us train. Raleigh trains Taekwondo and has expressed interest in learning to throw hands before, but not until now was he there to observe an average day for us.
We started with 2 rounds of skipping rope, followed by 2 rounds of shadow boxing. I used my car window as a mirror to watch my form, so Raleigh was left wondering what the hell I was doing until Liu explained. Next came mitt sprints, 1 round each of continuous one-twos, then hooks, then uppercuts. After that, we did 3 more rounds of mitt work, focusing on my stance, then blocking and counterpunching, then slipping and counterpunching. I've improved alot, which I'll elaborate on later. After that I held mitts for Liu for 6 rounds, then we invited Raleigh to try some mitt sprints. I was surprised that he could do all three, and with impressive strength too. I hope he can start training with us soon, I'd love to have a new sparring partner.

Today started off with a little bit of vanity. Instead of watching a fight, Liu and I put on our gear and took some old school fighter pictures. He's gonna use the old Photoshop to make them look all vintage and grainy, so they should come out looking badass. We ran around the park, about 2m, and then I took a nap before the gym.

10:30 am: Gym time. Mike called the gym to tell us that he was having car trouble, and probably wouldn't make it in today. Sigh... Oh well. I wasn't planning on working too hard today; my arms felt like shit after yesterday's mitt sprints, and I was planning on doing a little heavy bag and then abwork. But Richie had something else in mind for me. I warmed up and stretched for 2 rounds, then did 2 rounds of skipping rope, in the middle of which Richie asked if I wanted to spar. At first I declined, but then he started talking smack about how fighters fight no matter how sore and worn down, and I was not about to be punked, so I agreed to go 4 rounds, or however many he wanted me to do. If there's anyone who can work when they feel like shit, it's this little stocky Mexican.

My opponent was about 5'10" and couldn't have weighed more than 130. Real skinny, like a pole. I'm 5'6", and at 155 I'm desparately trying to get down to at least 140 (I'm aiming to fight at Jr. Lightweight). He had plenty of height on me, but I think I actually might have had more reach, and I had a feeling that this kid wouldn't be able to get the better of me in any respect. We touched gloves, and off we went.
1st round he opened with a jab that I blocked easily. I threw when he threw, but I made an effort to use defense and footwork, not just pressure, to get in on him. I threw a few punches to his arms, a technique I learned to take power away from bigger guys that could potentially muscle me around. Then, I unloaded my first combo, what was supposed to be a simple 1-2 hook jab, but I realized he wasn't even trying to throw back, so I went into Mexican mode, throwing throwing throwing and moving forward constantly, even when he halfheartedly tried to counter with a few jabs. I backed off and got him moving around the ring again, and I was able to block and slip most of his single punches. He threw maybe 2 combos the whole round. My next set of combos had him on the ropes in no time flat. My favorite punch of the round was a right hook I threw to his face when I had him on the ropes, and I damn near rotated his head 360 degrees. I finished the round with some flurries, and I knew I was in control of this session. He was gasping for air in between the round, and I took some water, a deep breath, and prepared for round 2.
Once again, he threw the first punch in the second, but I blocked it and unloaded a double jab, one high and one low. To his credit, he feinted a few times and I fell for it, which cost me a few headgear-turning jabs to the face. Once again, any time I turned on the pressure, I had no problem backing up and nearly sending him through the ropes. He wasn't strong enough to hurt me at all, but I knew I had to save my energy and concentrate on throwing with my legs and shoulders as my power base, or I would tire out and be just as ineffective as him. Toward the end of the round, he caught me flush to the face with a 1-2, I had leaned to my right to try to avoid his cross, but I was too slow and he caught me with it. Without thinking about it, I used my leaning position to power a right hook to his ribs that stopped him dead in his tracks and had him clutching his ribs. I felt dangerous. A little after that, I caught him on the ropes with a cross to the body that elicited a tiny squeal and a puff of wind out of his lungs. I wondered if he would go 2 more with me. I finished the round with another flurry that went mostly unanswered by him, and I was disappointed to hear the round timer go off. He said he felt like throwing up after the round, and Richie called the end of the session, much to my chagrin, after that. In sparring, I have never once asked to be allowed to retire early. I've actually vomited from body shots in the ring before, but I swallowed it and managed to go 2 more rounds after that. These days, it's much harder to hit me to the body. Richie said nothing about my fighting during or after the session, which in his language means good job. I felt amazing, it was the first time that I was in control of the "fight", and it felt beautiful.
So since I couldn't spar any more, I did 5 rounds on the heavy bag, focusing on my biggest weakness (stance), and throwing from the shoulders. After that, I did 50 sit ups on the incline bench, and came home to tell ya'll all about it. Today was the first time I tested my skills against someone not as good as I, and even though I'm still really only at beginner level, I'm finally starting to feel as though maybe I can do more than merely survive a round. I'm finally learning to box, and maybe, just maybe, I can realize my dream of having a fight by November, or sooner. Today was a day that strengthened my resolve to reach that goal, and now more than ever, I can scarce afford to let anything stand in my way. I WANT THIS DAMMIT. And today was the first day I felt that goal within my reach. In reality, it was a miniscule victory, nothing really, but in my head, it reinforced just why I chose this sport, having had no athletic background previously. I've been fighting all my life, in one way or another. Now I'm doing it for a purpose, instead of for survival. Boxing has freed me from the chains of fear and insecurity, and because of that I owe this sport, and those who gave me a doorway into it's world, a debt of gratitude that I can only repay by being the best damn fighter I can be. And I will. Firefox out.

[Liu Jin]

Aye por favor Senor Tapatio, NO MAS!!

[Diego Lara]

Wed 9/5: Got up, watched a fight with Liu, then ran around the park for about 1 1/2 m. Sick to my stomach, I didn't go to the gym, knowing that another crappy day at work lay ahead. 8 hours and a bottle of Pepto later, I was feeling well enough to train with Liu in the evening. Here's how it went:

2 rounds of skipping rope. 2 rounds of shadow boxing. Then we did 5 rounds on the mitts, where Liu demonstrated the importance of a good wide stance, and the greater power that such a stance creates. We did 2 rounds of one-twos, going backwards and forward. Whenever I was off balance, Liu would shove me to demonstrate that I needed to correct my form. It was slow going at first, but when I got the hang of it, I was amazed at how hard I could throw and little energy I expended. Next round we tried going side to side, and it was harder to maintain the correct position (I've never been the greatest at moving laterally). Last two rounds we put it all together, and at the end I was nowhere near as tired as I thought I would be. I'm always amazed at how much difference something as small as widening your stance and bending your knees can make. Then again, that's the reason they call it the sweet science in the first place.

[Diego Lara]

Fri 9/7: 7 am: Watched a very short fight, good ol "Body Snatcher" Mike McCallum vs one Don Curry. The fight was over in 2 rounds, as Mike's devastating left hand laid his opponent out flat. Hope he gives me a punch like that. Also watched Mike fight Julian Jackson, which wasn't as dramatic as the first fight, but Mike was a scary guy to fight no matter what. Did a light run around the park, about 1 and a half miles, and then a nap before gym time.

10:30 am: Gym time. Liu had car trouble so he had to get it fixed today. I went to the gym, and did two rounds of stretching, two rounds of skipping rope, then threw on my gloves and hit the heavy bag. In my second round of work, Mike showed up, and he watched me work on the heavy bag for 3 more rounds. He started off by correcting my jab, showing me that I have a tendency to cock my elbow when I throw, instead of shooting straight out and turning my fist over. He also corrected my stance, telling me I was TOO wide, and I need to turn the rear foot and stay on my toes with the rear when throwing a cross. It took a while for me to get it, but when I did, I could feel the power in my punches, and Mike has this great habit of saying "Feels good, don't it?" when I get it right. Holy shit, I'm thinking, this guy's too good to be true. Mike is patient, and he focuses on positive reinforcement, not motivating you through anger and a sense of urgency.

Next we did a few rounds on the double end bag. The one at the gym is stiffer than the one we have at home, so it was easier to hit, but my jab and cross still needed work, and Mike pointed out that it was unnecessary for me to slip so much, just work on hitting the jab and cross correctly. "How you feel?" he asked me. "Real good." I replied. We moved on to the speed bag.

Now the speed bag has never been one of my strengths. The one at home is larger than the one at the gym. I sucked at the speed bag today. Bad. I felt like a seven year old, in the gym for the first time, pawing aimlessly at the bag and not understanding how to get the rhythm. Thank God Mike was patient. He kept me at it for a good 3 or 4 rounds, and there were a few times that I got a slow rhythm going for about 10 seconds. I promised Mike that I would work on the speed and double end at home.

Next I did 2 rounds of skipping rope, then 100 sit-ups, and finally a stretching exercise involving holding a pipe between the shoulders and stretching downwards and side to side. Ya, I'll find out what the hell this exercise is called and get back to you on that. All in all, I LOVED my first day of training with Mike. I actually felt like a learned something, and I was anxious to stay longer, but my damn job always gets in the way. Mike has a manner and demeanor that is encouraging, even empowering, and he treats you like you're important, even if you're just a bum like me trying to get a start in the sport. I'm excited to get back in the gym, and I really feel like he's gonna take me places, make me a good, skilled fighter, and possibly guide me into the world of professional boxing. I've got a hell of an opportunity with this guy, and as I said before, there is only one way to show my gratitude. Firefox out.

[Diego Lara]

Sat 9/8: 7am: Today was a short day that consisted of sprints. Sprints at the park, 4 going back and forth, and 3 doing a square between the trees and the light poles. After that, mitt sprints, 6 rounds of one-twos, then hooks, then uppercuts (two rounds each). Saturdays sched has been screwed up lately by work, so we'll probly be reworking it in the coming weeks to get more stuff done. But the real story came on:

[Diego Lara]

Mon 9/10: 7 am: Fight time. De La Hoya vs Miguel Angel Gonzalez. I thought the fight was a draw; DLH never had the upper hand in the fight, and though he gave Gonzalez a bit of trouble early on, I think Gonzalez was in control by the end of the fight. So there. Did about 2m around the park, then came home to wash gym clothes really fast.

10:30 am: Gym time. Did two rounds of stretching and shadow boxing, two rounds of skipping rope, and 2x20 sets of those twisting exercises with the pipe thingy (I forgot to ask what it's called). After that I started work on the speed bag, my arch nemesis, but Mike arrived as I was getting started. he told me to start with heavy bag instead.

Rigth now, we are focusing on perfecting my one-two. Yes, I have a lot of power, and pretty good stamina as well, but my form and technique is shit at this point, and I'm painfully aware of it. I spent 5 rounds working solely on the one-two stepping in and popping the jab, and then turning on the toe of the rear foot to delivery the maximum amount of torque and power for my cross. It's slow going, but I think I'll have it down by Wed. One funny but kinda sad moment (for me) came when Mike told me to throw in a hook after the one-two. He took one look at it and said "Uh, just stick with the one-two for now". Damn. Burn. But he's right, can't jump the gun if you don't even know the basics.

After that, I did two rounds on the double end bag, and at first I started out slow, but towards the end of the first round I said to myself "Diego, you know the technique, Mike and Liu have shown you how to hit this a million times, you just need to trust yourself AND LET YOUR DAMN HANDS FLY!!" So I did, and I was amazed at how much easier it became to hit the bag. After a few pointers from Mike on the double jab and following with the cross, I was landing some deadly one-twos one after the other. I had Mike and another trainer calling my ass Salvador Sanchez by the end of the second round. Woo-hoo!! That really made me smile, cuz Salvador is my idol, and represents to me the perfect blend of Mexican bravado and impeccable technique.

Next after that I hit the speed bag for 2 rounds, and managed to get a slow rhythm going. I'll improve as the days go on, one thing I can say about myself is that I rarel regress once I get something down. I finished my day with 2 rounds of skipping rope, then it was off to work.

I'm amazed at what Mike has managed to do with me in only 2 days of training. He's effectively turning all my right hand punches into power punches, and I've FINALLY learned what it is to throw from the shoulders and legs. It's added a dimension of power to my punches that I never knew was there. Mike says I'll be a killer at 130. Now all I gotta do is lay off the cheesecake and train harder. I really enjoy working with Mike, he's reintroduced the element of FUN into boxing for me, for the past month or so I'd been feeling down about my training (or lack thereof) and about my chances at excelling in the sport. Now I can't wait to spar and show everyone that I'm more than just another hard headed brawler. I'm excited to better my techniques today, and learn something new that I might never have known before. Look up Mike McCallum's (rather short) fights sometime to see just what a monstrous hook can do, and you'll see what I'm trying to achieve. Firefox out.

[Diego Lara]

Tue 9/11: A day which will live in infamy, for today I KICKED ASS in sparring. But first things first.

7 am: Watched some infomercials about MENERGY: ENERGY FOR MEN!!!!! (look this up for a good laugh). Also saw the old video of Ol Dirty Bastard's "Shimmy shimmy ya". I love the ODB. Ran about 2 m around the park, then came back and cleaned my equipo before the gym.

10:30 am: Gym time. As soon as I got into the gym, Richie approached me and asked if I wanted to spar. Naturally, I obliged. 2 rounds of quick warm up, and as I got ready to gear up, Mike walked in the door, and I told him Richie asked me to spar with his boy. Mike was a little annoyed that Richie didn't ask him first, but he let me go ahead anyway. I intended to impress him.

I was sparring Luis again, the same guy I sparred last week. I figured that he would have learned a thing or two about my style since last time, so I resolved to use even MORE pressure, and incorporate more slipping and counterpunching.

Round 1 went well. This time I was first with the jab, and it was mostly me controlling the action, constantly coming forward and throwing 3 and 4 punch combos. He moved away from me alot, and I had to stop myself from following. Mike was yelling at me to cut off the ring, but I had to keep reminding myself to do this time and again.

In round 2 things got really heavy. Luis was throwing more, trying to back me off with punches, but I let him know with my constant forward pressure that that would not be the case. I had him on the ropes and I had to tell myself to back up cuz I realized that without giving him the opportunity to breathe and launch an attack of his own, this would be a short and one-sided sparring sesh. Halfway through the round I noticed his nose was bleeding, and I caught the bloodlust. That was when Mike yelled at me to concentrate on the body, and I listened. I did, however, bop him on the nose a few more times for good measure. It felt great to know that I made another guy bleed, and I was on the prowl.

Round 3 was dramatic. Luis was fatiguing and panicking, not thinking on his feet and only shelling up and trying to survive my constant barrages that had him on the ropes almost any time. If he were to punch more, just let his hands go, he would interrupt my rhythm and maybe even manage to back me off him, but he kept getting handcuffed by my combos. Mike told me to go to the body, I used the 1-2 to open him up for some hooks and hard crosses. Mike told me to go to the head, and I did. Then he said go back to the body, a strategy that was wearing the boy down fast. I unloaded a few quick 1-2's to his torso, and the boy vomited. That was the end of the session. I felt empowered, even though it was a meager victory given Luis' lack of experience. Not that I'm some seasoned fighter, but by now I knew how to think in the ring, something he desperately needs to learn if he is to survive in the sport.

Afterwards, I did 3 rounds on the double end, 2 on the speed bag, and then abwork with Liu. Ab machine, sit ups with punch out drills, and ab roller. I talked to Luis and let him know that when I first started at Top Rank, I too underwent the baptism by fire that he was going through. I myself have puked in the ring before, but luckily I'm skilled in swallowing and concealing it so no one would know (my Mexican pride would never allow me to show such weakness, no offense to my buddy Luis). But hey, shit happens, and the only way to overcome it is to learn from your mistakes and come back better than before. I even gave Luis a few tips on how to counter me if we ever spar again. For now I want to get stronger, perfect my straight punches and my hooks, and hopefully I can start sparring bigger guys so I can bring my strength and skill levels to greater heights. Mike calls me Roberto Duran now. I don't mind being confused with a Nicaraguan, especially if it's one whose nickname was Manos de Piedra (Hands of Stone). Hope I can have a moniker equally as menacing one day. Firefox out.