COOL, CALM & CONTROL

Photo: 1970 - JACK MEDA and DARRYL OLSEN - Canadian Champions -


COOL, CALM & CONTROL in BOXING; By Brian Zelley - -

As we analyze, watch and view thousands of boxing bouts is it obvious
which boxer is controlling the bout?

Often for the novice amateur there is no real control of a bout but
a series of punches in the general direction of the other guy.
One theory is if you throw enough punches or more than the other dude,
then you own the bout. Then there are those cases when a boxer unloads
very few blows, but in the last 30 seconds throws a barrage of punches
in hopes of winning the round. Long-term victory an advancement
to an elite position in amateur boxing can't be guaranteed with those
two examples. However, both approaches can be used from time-to-time
as a strategic move, but not as an overall strategy.

COOL and CALM in the Heat of the battle:

Staying cool & calm before the opening bell is easier said than done,
because for all boxers before the opening bell there is that nervous
anticipation. Depending on the degree of nervous anticipation, the
emotional feeling can be a positive force or the beginning of
a bad night at the fights. The critical point is just before
the opening bell when each boxer needs to be the coolest and calmest
dude in the arena or hall. However, there is an optimum point of
calm, at one point being over cool or calm can lead to
losing the edge that often comes with the nervous emotion.

Two textbook cases of cool and calm in BC boxing history was a Sixties
Golden Gloves tournament with Seattle boxer WESLEY CRAVEN and a case
of a Victoria club show bout that had the return of former Prince George
boxer HAROLD HANDLIN back to the ring to face Langley boxer DEREK AUSTIN.

In one of the bouts, Craven faced heavyweight boxer JACK MEDA who would go on
to earn a medal in Interntional competition , beome a Canadian champion and earn a spot
in the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame. But, the night he faced Wes "Mr. Cool" Craven
it was a different story. Craven was whistling before he got into the ring, and after the opening bell
it took a few slick moves and a short right hand and the deed was done.

Then there was Harold {The Great" Handlin being the coolest dude in
Victoria despite not having a fight for over a year, but it didn't
take long after the opening bell to have Derek "the pride an joy of
Langley" Austin down for the count after a slick few moves by Harold.
Before the bout,Harold was so cool that he was smoking a cigarette when
he had his gloves on waiting to climb the ringside steps. Of course
someone else was holding the smoke, (CAUTION - smoking is bad
for your health, but that one night in a Victoria club show, it was
the other guy who felt the ill effects of the smoking boxer
better know to some as the "Blond Bomber").

Bad Decision or Not Getting Paid:
*  Emotions sometimes take control, but then the risk
factor for bad things can then happen. 

*  Whatever the issue, the boxer and his cornermen/trainers
need to control the emotion in the heat of the moment, and  try
to keep "Cool" and "Calm".  Easier said than done, but the 
alternative may lead to higher levels of emotional or physical
hurt and pain. 

If bad things do happen and the boxer is punished, then try the 
cool and calm before stepping into that little room  to meet the 
judges of your fate re. any appeal decision.