Fighting Fair when you’re Opponent Isn’t

So yesterday I was at a different club getting in some sparring with my favorite sparring partner: Professional boxer Sarah Puchek, and a handful of other women who came to spar.  As I’m preparing for the Westerns as much female sparring as I can get is extremely helpful.  Although I do always enjoy sparring boys who are 60lbs heavier then me.  Anyway, I was in the ring with one of these ladies, defiantly holding my own, when all of a sudden she headbutted me!  Not like an “Opps, I came in with my head and bumped you in the face”, but a seriously deliberate, hard head butt!  My lower lip began to bleed and swell up – I was pissed.  And then she did it again, three more times!  This is SPARRING people!  It’s not even a fight!  I was astounded.  It’s not often I experience women who fight dirty, and NEVER in a sparring session.  I finished the next two round with her with dignity and then went on to spar the other women (no headbutting from them).

On the way home from the gym I expressively complained to my husband about this person, and continued to complain into the late evening.  He finally commented that it may have been more suitable if I’d just shouldered her or elbowed her or even headbutted her back.  I’d would have felt satisfied right then and there, instead of dwelling on it hours later.  I laughed this off at first, but it really got me thinking, is it okay to fight dirty if your opponent is?  I’ve posed this question to alot of people and most of them have answered “yes!”  But I’m still not convinced. Read more

It’s almost 2010 and still, women can’t have an oppinion!

Today some idiot (who I might add was to much of a PUSSY to post his real name or email address) told me to stop being “a weak little girl” because of an article I wrote.

Now, now my friends, may I ask you, isn’t a blog considered a matter of opinion and a point of view from an individual?  Just because I have an opinion or I voice a struggle I have in my boxing career does it make me weak? I think not!  Everyone has struggles, everyone has frustrations in their lives and every one has an opinion.  I write this blog to bring humor to those struggles as well as give my friends and the boxing community an insight to my life.

Unfortunately, there are some losers out there who are so discontent with their own lives that they have to lash out and belittle those who are successful.  Maybe they are the people who are to scared to get in the ring, or got knocked out in the first round of their first fight.  Or maybe they are just scared because a WOMAN is a better and more successful boxer and might I add person then they are.

Which brings me to my next point.  Just because I complain about something makes me a weak LITTLE GIRL?  What?!  Wait, so a man can complain and he’s just complaining, but as soon as a women complains she a bitch or she’s nagging, or she’s just weak?  It’s nice to see how far we’ve come in equal rights.  I’d like to think most men have gotten over this “I am a MAN, I am better”, as many men have supported me in my goals, but unfortunately I do come across a few who are arrogant (which, by the way, stems from insecurity – pathetic) and feel they have to belittle me because I am a women.  I guess in a way I shouldn’t be surprised that the lack of equality still exists.  I mean men’s boxing has been around (recognized as a sport) since the 1800.  Women’s boxing was just established in the late 1990! Strangely enough, Canadian women seem to do better in World Championships then our Canadian men.  Go figure!

So, as a final message to my new little friend: Put away the sock (you’re killing kittens), get off your lazy ass and get out of your mommy and daddy’s house, get a real job, in fact get a real life and try getting in the ring!

2009 BC Provincials

I’d like to say we had an awesome trip, but I’m not to sure who I would be speaking for.  I had a good trip.  We left for Kelowna on Friday and managed to make it through the snowstorm on the connector from Merritt to Kelowna.   It was a bit of a nerve racking drive as I don’t have snow tires on my little civic and was speeding through compact snow in a snow/hail/rain storm.  My husband sat in the back seat reading, every once and a while looking up to ask me “how ya doing, babe”.  The other young fighter with us sat in the front, dead asleep for the whole storm; which is good because he has a tenancy to freak out over a little hydroplaning – or gophers, that’s another story.  I’ll have to admit that during the decent I gave a little inner cheer as the heavy snow began to turn to heavy rain (something us Vancouverites are use to!)

Friday night we ate a pitiful dinner of chicken patties with mustard and a salad with no dressing.  I was 2lbs under weight but was still nervous of putting on any water weight and not being able to enter the 57kg weigh division. Read more

Why can’t you understand? I box!

So today’s post I just have to get some stuff off my chest!  I know boxing is an odd sport, especially for women to take on, but it’s a sport that I love!  I love every part of it.  I love that I have to workout 4 hours a day, I have to run track in the pouring rain and lift weights and be yelled at by my coach.  I love that I spar, and that I get to punch at people, and I love that people try to punch me.  I love that I always ask myself “why do I do this” before each competition, and afterward I know exactly why.  I love the fact that I have to watch everything I put into my mouth and I love the way I look because of all of the hard work and training.  And I really love that cheat meal after a competition.  I just love this sport! Read more