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Published: March 25th 2024
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Pre-fight wrapping
All of the fighters are in the same area for all the fights. And it’s an open air area. It was really warm. The gloves were lighter so the hand wrapping is important to not get injured. Sunday, and I actually slept in today! A solid 9 hours, so I really must have needed it. I was still a bit sore, and my feet feel a little swollen from all of the kicking, I assume. Feeling refreshed though, I went to breakfast and had a nice relaxed meal. I had been trying to get a bike tour planned for today but the first one I wanted was of the temples was cancelled, and the second I never finished booking. Fortunately so, since the fight was reschedule for today at 12:15. The plan is to be at the gym at 11:00 and the neighbor taxi man will drive me to the stadium. That left me with a relaxing morning, but decided to start planning the suitcases for packing. Have to make sure there is room for everything, and there is still shopping to do. As I’m typing tonight, there are only 4 days left…
I arrived at the gym a few minutes early and found Santafaa’s sone would be going with me to the fight. The taxi rolled up and we left. I am so glad that Santi coordinated this, because I would have never been able to
In between rounds
Either the end of 3rd or 4th round, the fight was going Santafaa’s way. It’s a complicated scoring system, not exactly like American boxing. A lot about who is more aggressive, how hits are handled, and some technique also find the stadium on my own. The stadium was behind a car repair shop, down an alley, with just a gravel parking lot. Only one other guy From Eminent, Lolo, showed up. Because it’s such a small stadium, we were able to go down on the floor in Santafaa’s corner for his fight. That’s as close as I’ve been ever. When they have 5 rounds fights, the 1st is usually a slow round where the fighters just sort of check each other out. Santafaa was the only one who threw any punches or kicks. The 2nd round his opponent started with very powerful left kicks, which were mostly blocked, but he was trying to establish some momentum. Santafaa was more aggressive in the 3rd and 4th rounds, which are the important rounds. He was able to deal with the kicks and move in for some hand combos and some knees in clinches. With the fight in hand into the 5th round, it was clear the opponent knew he could only win with a KO, so he was much more aggressive. He did land some good shots, as seen on Santafaa when we got back to the gym, but it wasn’t
WINNER !
The opponent knew he was losing so he made a very strong push in the 5th round. He did land a few good shots including an elbow. Without a KO, it just wants enough to turn the fight. enough to win. Over the weekend, 2 fighters from Eminent won their matches, and Jomhod who was recently from Eminent won his fight last night, so it was really 3 wins in a row. There is another Eminent fighter in a match Tuesday night.
After the fight, there were a few pictures, but everyone was anxious to leave. I was invited to join everyone to eat at the gym, and we all headed back. It was really a great feeling to be included with the everyone and their families. The kids were non-stop fighting in the ring, and lifting weights, or kicking the bags, just like they see everyday. The celebration included beer and whiskey, deservedly so for the busy week for fighter and trainer. They deserve some time off. We sat right on the gym floor and ate there. Santi wanted me to sit on the bleachers, thinking that I couldn’t fold up my old legs enough to sit on the floor. If I can workout 4-5 hours a day in this weather, I can sit cross-legged on the floor with a cold glass of Chang beer (with ice in it) in my hand! Lots of good food
Post-fight dinner (and drinks!)
After the fight we went back to the gym to celebrate with a meal and a few drinks. It’s a great family atmosphere with the gym. The fighters, trainers, and neighbors all came in to share in the meal. I felt lucky to have been invited into this group. brought in, and plenty to drink for all. The gyms owners wife joined us and through some interpreting, she understood that I’ve been coming here for 12 years. It’s really hard to explain the feeling of being here. Yes, the training is tough, everything hurts most of the time, and everyday you go back to the hotel exhausted. The people here are just terrific and I’m sure there is nothing they wouldn’t do for you. I have been fortunate to have had such good visits here.
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