Last Saturday night we attended an amateur boxing competition. We took a few fighters up and did very well. One thing from that night I can’t stop thinking about is the performance of a boxer who lost his bout against one of our guys (Rohan Murdoch if you read my site you would have read about him before).
His name is Jesse Ross, and he fights with the Albert shire boxing club. Jesse is a good young boxer who is very professional in his approach to the sport. He doesn’t seem to be naturally gifted, as some young athletes are but what he lacks in fast twitch muscle fibers he makes up for in preparation and attitude.
Now I don’t know this kid but what he did last Saturday make me want to. He went into the fight with a good knowledge of his opponent, and after the first round he was well down, then after the second round he was a mile behind. Now most young guys in the sport know, that unlike professional boxing in the amateurs there are plenty of other opportunities and even the best boxer’s lose fights.
So into the last round a mile behind most good amateur boxers will try a few big shots hoping for that lucky punch but ultimately they will protect themselves for future bouts. Jesse however thought differently – he came out as we expected, slinging big shots, Rohan held his defense and hurt Jesse every time he over extended and Rohan is a fighter with a very solid punch. Jesse didn’t care what he got hit with, he just kept coming and he was hit a number of times with some very big shots.
It seemed he would rather be carried out on a stretcher than walk away with out giving every thing he had to win! This selfless type of courage is very rare to see in any sport.
One of my old football coaches told me that you can tell a real champion buy his performance in losing sides and he was right. Its easy to look a million dollars when your 40-0 up. Look at Ryan Girdler (former Penrith panther), he was a machine every time they looked like winning but when they were losing he was either limping off with an injury or quiet at best. It’s the guy who is still flogging himself when you’re 40-0 down who is the real champ.
A classic example is Shane Webke, these guys don’t get anything given to them. They have to bust a gut for every inch, but in the long the long run they are the most valuable people in the team. Often the fans won’t know who they are, but you better believe the players do.
So while Jesse wakes up this morning with a sore head and a dejected feeling in his stomach. He should take heart because, for him it won’t happen over night, but with his dedication it will happen eventually and I for one can’t wait to see him get out there and have another go because it’s people like him that impress me most.
Good job Jesse!
Damien
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