[Diego Lara]

Mon 10/1: No morning session today, Liu was out sick and I had some early morning stuff to do, so we go straight to:

10:30 am: Gym time. I was the first one in the gym today, followed closely by Luis, the kid I sparred a few weeks ago. We've developed a good rapport over time and he's even shown me a few tricks on the jump rope.

2 rounds of stretching, then 2 rounds of skip rope. My rhythm was off today, I was having a hard time getting into the swing of things.

4 rounds of heavy bag. Mike was really pleased with my work, and i began to truly incorporate various combos into my work. I've pretty much got the 1-2 down pat, and the only thing I need to work on is not cocking my crosses. I was even throwing some doube hooks and double uppercuts, like a little Duran on crack. My footwork has improved a great deal, and I'm finally getting the knack of shifting my weight from foot to foot as I alternate left and right punches. Even though I felt kinda crappy today, I think I did really well on my rounds.

Next was 2 rounds on the double end, which doesn't trouble me much, just improves my form, footwork, and provides different angles for me to throw my 1-2.

3 rounds on speed bag. Getting better at keeping a rhythm, but not getting any faster yet. Patience....

1 rounds of shake out/ shadowboxing, then on to conditioning.

Ab machine pyramid, 15x12x10, 60,70, then 80 lbs.

Twist-ups, 5x10. That did her for today. All in all a good day of hard work, and tomorrow will bring even harder work. Cuz if I'm not dead at the end, I didn't do it right. Firefox Duran out.

[Diego Lara]

Tue 10/2: 7 am: Watched the countdown to Barrerra/ Pacquiao 2. Although I think that at this point Pacman is the better fighter, I'll still be rootin for my countryman Marco, especially since he now lives in Guadalajara, where my family's from and where I plan to move next year to begin my fighting career. Ran about 2 m around the park.

10:30 am: Gym time.

1 round of stretching, then 3 rounds of skp rope.
Climb into the ring for 3 rounds of shadow boxing. Need to do more stretching beforehand. Wes climbs in to shadowbox too. Hehehehe I thought we were gonna spar for a minute.

4 rounds on the heavybag. Mike showed me a flaw in my cross today: I push with it too much, putting more force into it that is not necessary and lunging too far forward with it. He added a downward arc to my cross, turning it into a sort of mini overhand right. It added power without needing so much exertion. Also worked on the 1-2-uppercut-cross combo to the head. Mike says I need to throw to the head more often.

Next was 2 rounds on the double end bag. In the middle of my first round, Floyd Mayweather Sr showed up to corner a Dominican guy here to spar Wes. I know he's been in the gym before, but I never got to see him in person before this. The sparing between Wes and the Dominican was intense, for the first few rounds Wes was having trouble figuring out the Dominican, and he got rocked by a few power shots early on. But Wes caught up, and mauled the other guy in the last two rounds of sparring. He nearly knockd the Dominican boy through the ropes and onto me and Liu.

After that, my cruiserweight stablemate Jim was set to spar in the other ring. I'd never seen the huge black guy Jim was to spar, so I imagine he might have been called in specifically for this occasion. Big difference between cruiser and lightweight sparring. The pace was slower, but harder, you could almost feel the punches reverberate off the canvas and walls. Jim did good, but even to my novice eye I believe he could have used the jab more and kept a tighter guard about his face. Still, he's a bull of a fighter, and I hope I get to be at his next fight.

Of course, with all the action going on in the gym, I didn't train anymore that day, but it's all good. Got to watch Floyd Sr work "mitts" (w/ his bare hands) for his Dominican fighter, and Good Lord I have never seen someone move so fast before. I like his training style, and his habit of correcting his fighters by nudging their arms and bodies into just the right position. An amazing man, and anyone under his wing is gonna blossom (maybe me one day?).

That did her for Tuesday. Man I love this place, and I'm reluctant when I have to leave and start my crappy "day off" of endless errands. But at least I know I can kick everyone's ass at the college if they don't give me that letter of recommendation I'm seeking. Firefox out.

[King Kabuki]

This is who Jimmy was sparring:

http://www.boxrec.com/list_bouts.php...2109&cat=boxer

[Diego Lara]

Wed 10/3: 7am: Watched Antwon Echols, who is currently training at Top Rank, fight Bernard Hopkins. Gave BHop a run for his money too knocking Bernard down once and rocking him in the final round.

2.1 m run.

10:30 am: Gym time. 1 round of stretching, 2 rounds of skip rope, and 2 of shadow boxing to warm up.

4 rounds on the heavy bag. Working on popping the jab and cross, not pushing with it. Incorporating hooks and uppercuts more.

2 rounds on the double end. Must remember the double end is for speed, not power. "Stop trying to knock it out" Mike says.

3 rounds on the speed bag. Liu reminded me that I need to shift my weight from foot to foot as I switch from jab to cross. Did wonders for my speed and accuracy. Just need more practice now that I know the correct stance.

2 more rounds of skip rope.

Conditioning: Three sets of ab machine pyramid (same as stated earlier in this log.)

5 sets of 10 twist-ups. I think I need to incorporate some other exercises into my ab and upper body work. Don't wanna get complacent. I really hope the gym is open today, Richie, who usually opens the gym at 10, is outta town for a fight, so it might not open in time for Liu and I to train. Guess we'll just have to spar in the parking lot. Firefox out.

[Diego Lara]

Fri 10/5: 7am: Watched Jason Barnett knock out a bunch of heavyweights in 7 rounds or less. This guy is scary, even when he's the smaller guy he doesn't hesitate to come in for the kill. Good stuff. 2.2 M run today.

10:30 am: 2 rounds of stretching and ring-jacks. 1 round of shadowboxing. 2 rounds of skip rope.

2 rounds on heavybag, then 3 on bodysnatcher. Mike had me focusing on hooks and uppercuts. It's all in the footwork, keeping one foot stabilized while using the other to pivot and power the punch. I need to stop overthinking my moves and just do the damn thing.

2 rounds on speedbag. I was the worst I'd been since I started using it. I must have been tired.

2 more rounds of skiprope. Easier to do the crosses now.

Conditioning: 3x10 sets of push-ups and dips as mentioned before. I was tired, and I stopped to watch 2 rounds of Wes and the Dominican kid (still don't know his name) going at it. I need to work on more combos and speed.

Sat 10/6: No time for watching fights today. Start the day off with 6 forward sprints in the park, and 3 in a big square.

Next, Liu puts me on the mitts and we work on some 7 and 13 punch combos, including some of the ones that Mike showed him yesterday. I don't suck as bad as I think I do, and I throw with a lot more power than I did last time I was on the mitts. Did 4 rounds of work, focusing on speed and blocking . Can't wait to watch Barrerra/ Pacquiao 2 tonight, even if it is little more than an exhibition match. Viva Mexico mamones!!!!

[Diego Lara]

Tue 10/9: 7 am: Watched my good ol trainer Mike McCallum run circles around James Toney. I recognize alot of things in Mike's style that he's trying to incorporate into mine and Liu's. He's gonna make a boxer out of me yet.

2.5 mile run.

10:30 am: Gym time. 1 round of ring jacks and stretching. 2 more of shadow boxing. 2 of skip rope.

4 rounds on heavy bag. Mike keeps telling me to walk with my punches, by this he means keep moving, taking small side steps so that you're never a sitting duck for counter punches. l have a bad tendency to stand still when throwing combos.

2 rounds of double end. Speed, not power.

2 rounds of speed bag. I'm starting to get how proper stance makes it easier to punch.

Conditioning:
4 sets of ab machine pyramid.

5x10 twist ups.

2x10 leg lifts.

Well it felt like I did more, but on the screen it doesn't seem as much.....

Wed 10/10: 7 am: Watched Toney vs Jones Jr. If Mike had been a little younger when he fought these guys, he would've smoked em.

1.8 mile run.

10:30 am: Gym time. 1 round of ring jacks and stretching. 2 rounds of shadowboxing. 2 rounds of skip rope. I took alot of stimulants today, have to control the nausea while jumping. Sucks.

3 rounds on body snatcher. My arms feel shaky from all the artificial energy, but I relax and just throw, work on popping the jab and cross and throwing the hooks and uppercuts with my body.

4 rounds on heavy bag. Mike has me throwing more combos now. 1,2,3,2,1,1,1. 6 and 7 punch combos now, and I'm getting better at improvising. Also need to remember to walk with those punches.

3 rounds on speed bag. I can hold a rhythm for most of a round now. Clap everybody.

Conditioning:
3x10 push up circuit. No dips today, my arms are shaking and struggling to hold me up. Ha, that's the last time I take 3 ma huangs and an energy drink on the way to the gym. Firefox out.

[mschatz]

Good write ups. Im taking notes and stealing ideas. especially about taking the side steps with each punch to get out of the ay for counters. Thanks

[Rachid Ghanoudi]

Sounds like you're working very hard and have the fire to succeed Diego. Keep on working and things will fall into place (stance and defensive work). Guys like you are why I love the sport of boxing and love watching boxing. It takes heart and the will to succeed and I wish you all the best.

[Diego Lara]

Sorry forgot to post for a few days, but here's the recap of the week so far.

Tue 10/16: Watched Diaz vs Diaz. Diaz won. The one from Texas, who fights alot how I'll probably fight.
Run 2.25 m.

Gym time: One round of ring jacks and stretching.
2 rounds of shadowboxing.
2 rounds of skip rope.

3 rounds heavy bag. I need to loosen up more.
2 rounds bodysnatcher. Somethings not quite right with my uppercuts and hooks. I'm getting more tired than I should be, and I think it's my footing.

2 rounds speedbag. Did good today, holding my rhythm and getting pretty fast.

Conditioning: 2 sets of ab machine pyramid.
5x10 sets of sits up catching the medicine ball with my torso.
5x10 sets of medicine ball twists.

That did her for the day. All in all, I feel like Goldilocks in the big bears house.

Wed 10/17: Watched "****llocalypse" cuz the internet was out. Ran about 2m.

Gym time: It takes Mexicans several hours to fully wake up.
2 rounds of stretching.
2 rounds of skip rope. Lookin like a little Mayweather......
2 rounds of shadowboxing. Focus on controlling breathing, and throwing correctly.

4 rounds on body snatcher. I gotta get my hooks and uppercuts right. Halfway through the rounds, Mike shows up. He has me focus on getting the upper body motion down, twisting from the hips but keeping my feet planted as I throw the punches. I gotta reach out with my hooks more so I don't have to rely on being close to use them.

3 rounds on speed bag. I sucked like all hell today. Couldn't get any kind of rhythm going the whole time.

Conditioning: 2x sets each of front and back pulldowns. Don't know what the weight was but it was alot.

3x10 sets of push up circuit. No dips today.

Finish up for the day. I'm finally awake after I shower. Firefox out.

[Diego Lara]

Thanks everyone who reads this boring log and all those out there who support a brown runt on his quest to the top. It's good to know when you're doing good, cuz in the thick of it it's hard to tell if you're progressing sometimes. But not too hard, ya know, one you've got such a pretty one-two.....