Contenders glove up for novice boxing challenge

Have you ever thought of putting your physical fitness and mental resistance to the ultimate test by stepping inside a boxing ring?

A small group of locals have signed up to do exactly that, signing up for an intensive 10-week boxing challenge that will see complete novices step foot in the ring for the very first time this November.

The PCYC Rising Star Boxing Program got underway this week, with seven local participants putting themselves through a gruelling six-day-a-week fight camp training program ahead of a tournament night at the Hornsby PCYC on November 16.

“This program is tailored for people that have never been in the ring before, who have always wanted to, I guess, test themselves and try themselves in a sport like boxing,” PCYC Orange boxing coach Justin Reid said.

“This is a different kind of fitness challenge… it takes you out of your comfort zone, and it really challenges you. There's nothing more mentally challenging than getting ready for a fight, knowing that you're going to get in there against someone else, and it's only you in there going toe-to-toe with someone else.” 

Justin and assistant coach Ronnie Orge will be putting participants through their paces six days a week, working on their cardio and strength training as well as boxing-specific skills.

“We've got a strength and conditioning program tailored specifically to boxing. We're gonna have James Doueihi from Pump It Fitness come and talk to the boys about nutrition, fight prep, supplements, what's good for your body, how to eat clean, and all that sort of stuff,” Justin said.

“And we’re going to get some mentoring from a life coach,” he continued, explaining that the mental challenge of preparing to step in the ring is just as important as being physically ready.

“It’s definitely a personal journey, working out your strengths and your weaknesses, and I feel as though you learn a lot about yourself in the whole process,” he said.

Justin, who will also be competing at the fight night in Hornsby on November 16, only returned to boxing a few years back after nearly 20 years out of the ring. He said he was pleased to see a number of older men sign up for the challenge.

“It's really good to see because I feel as though a lot of men that are approaching 40… It's a good way to get them motivated and maybe get them off the couch and give him a bit of a starting point on trying to get in shape,” he said.

“And also getting him into a good sport like boxing and being able to test themselves. I think it's a really good initiative for me and I think it's great for people that are over 40 or approaching 40 to do something like this.”

Thirty-eight-year Zander Peden was the first to sign up for the PCYC Rising Star Boxing Program. A lifelong player of competitive sports, Zander was forced to hang up the football boots after snapping his Achilles tendon last year and so was eager for another challenge.

“I knew that I couldn't just go to doing nothing, so I needed something competitive to focus my energy on,” Zander explained.

“I've always loved coming to the gym and been a member of the PCYC for 15 years or 20 years or something… I thought it'd be great to learn a new sport!”

How does he feel about facing an opponent across the ring in just ten weeks' time?

“Well, that's the whole point, isn't it,” Zander said. “You've got to train. You’ve got to make sure you're prepared, mentally and physically — It should be a bit of fun!”