My Boxing Journey: 18-Month Evolution

Introduction

• Timeline: 18 months
• Locations: 2 countries
• Key elements: Two styles of boxing techniques, hard sparring, self-growth, few surprises
• Motivation: Past career in football, combination of negative personal events

Initial Beginnings in Athens, Greece

• Start Date: December 2021
• Transition: Football to Boxing
• Initial Training: Kickboxing gym by mistake
• Early Training Elements:
  • Basics of punches, footwork, defense
  • Early sparring (possibly too early)

Moving to Real Boxing

• Issue: Staff problem, left initial gym
• Research: Realized need for authentic boxing training
• Inspiration: George Kambosos Jr. training at Perseus Boxing Club in Athens
• New Training Ground: Perseus Boxing Club
  • Focus: Defense, Philly shell guard
  • Coach: Mainolis lovedakis
  • Environment: Professionals training and coaching

Training Regime at Perseus

• Schedule:
  • 2-hour sessions, Monday to Friday
  • Defensive drills: Countering and defending jab, effective jab throwing (3 days)
  • Conditioning: Heavy bag work (2 days)
  • Sparring: Fridays
  • Running: 2-3 evenings per week
• Technique Focus: Philly shell guard
  • Criticisms: Open for right hand, proper application can counter it
  • Strategy: Variety in guard to prevent predictability

Personal Challenges and Relocation

• Financial Struggle: Running out of money in Greece
• Decision: Move back to Australia
• Setback: Quadriceps injury
• Recovery: Extensive rehab (Jan-Mar 2023)

Restarting in Australia

• Gym: West Central Boxing
  • Difference: Style focusing on high punch volume, in and out High guard (amateur style)
  • Learning and Adapting: Steeper learning curve, adjusting from Philly shell to high guard
  • Coach: Peter Lossage
  • Adaptation: Mix of front foot and back foot fighting

Future Plans and Reflection

• Motivation: Continue boxing, improve skill level
• Upcoming: Potential fight; weight loss goal
  • Current Weight: 72-73 kg
  • Target Weight: 67-63 kg
• Next Steps: Training camp in Greece
  • Intent: Compare improvement, practice new skills

Conclusion

• Key Theme: Progress and personal growth
• Message: Embrace boxing for self-improvement
• Future Updates: Further progress and journey insights

Acknowledgments

• Coaches and Gyms:
  • Mainolis Lovedakis and Perseus Boxing Club
  • Peter Lossage and West Central Boxing
• Other notable online coaches: Tom Yankello, Mustafa’s Boxing
• Social Media: Links to gyms and coaches provided