Hi everyone just had my second pro fight which i lost on points. obviously i'm gutted with the loss but I learned so much from the fight especially about myself and I can't help but feel happy by what I have learnt. My last fight was back in february and I have been messed around with fights getting cancelled and being generally let down by the sport which I love I wouldn't really blame anyone for this just the way it is I think. anyway before this fight something didn't feel right and I couldn't quite put my finger on it but now I realised i'd fallen out of love with boxing I think I was almost training out of habit. I didn't realise this of course but after this fight I have refound any love I lost and a lot lot more. I know I lost the fight but it was an absolute cracker and every person in the building loved it it was the hardest fight i think i'll ever have and I wouldn't want to be in many wars like that one we basically stood toe to toe for 4 rounds. I know this isn't the way I should be fighting and am not happy with the way I boxed but like I said I learnt a lot about myself in this fight. I boxed sam couzens and wish him all the best in his career he's a nice guy and he came to my home show and got the decision so good on him. he played up to the crowd and every one of my supporters hated him lol but it made for a great atmosphere and afterwards we spoke and he was a good bloke. enough rambling on the whole point of this post was to explain how I felt after the fight I thought you might be interested to read how losing felt for me so here goes.
the instant the last bell rung I walked towards the ref to get my arm raised and when I see him reach for the other fighters arm and raise his instead I felt ultimate dissapointment I'd let all of my supporters down and my family the people that put so much into helping me achieve my goals and the people that had payed their hard earned money to come see me win. Don't get me wrong when I walked to the ref I didn't feel I'd won the fight but I was expecting a draw it was such a close fight to give it either way I think was a bad decision but the ref did a great job and looking back now I will learn more from having that L on my record than a fake W which many of these protected fighters have. I went back to my changing room and didn't want to come out i felt so embarrased and didn't want people to feel let down. I slumped myself onto the changing room bench and sat with my head down contemplating my loss and how I can't go anywhere now as who wants to pay to watch a "loser". I felt so low, until my dad come in the changing rooms with a missive smile shook his head and sort of laughed and said "what a fight son I knew you were tough but bloody hell" this instantly lifted my spirits and his friend with him was so pleased with the grit i'd showed to fight the way I did that I knew that I hadn't let anyone down and that in fact I'd done them all proud. I had my shower got myself dressed and then made my way to the arena where everyone was coming up to me saying what a great fight it was and that they can't wait for the next one. I felt a million dollars and was so happy with the feedback that I just can't wait to get back in there again and show people what I know i'm capable of . One thing is for sure I won't want many fights like that through my career it was an absolute war like I said people loved it but they are gonna be dissapointed in future cos from now on I'm sticking to my boxing and staying out of the trenches . The main thing I got from the fight was the rekindled love that i'd lost it's made me even more determined and although thats not the way I want to fight I know now that if need be I've got what it takes to stand and war. I knew I was tough but it's amazing what adrenaline can do to you there is plenty more to come from me and I know that i'm gonna get there I want that lonsdale belt and I want it for keeps so watch this space!!!!
hope you take the time to read this and hope it is of some interest just really wanted to write about my feelings after the loss and see peoples opinions.
Great post fella so really glad you took the time to write it. I find this sort of insight fascinating and I think what's really going to stand you in good stead is that you've got such a good level of self-awareness. Sounds like you've got a top dad as well!
All the best for the future
Very honest assessment Woody. I know where your coming from, and your right, you will have learnt so much from that. Just hope you've not got the bug for havin a war coz it's hard to shake off once it's got you!! All the best for the future pal, and keep that lonsdale belt goal in your mind, it's the best prize in the sport.
Great fight youd just been pipped but m,assive balls to take a good 5.2 fighter in only yr econd fight.
I think hurting him the first round did no good as you burnt a lot of enrergy going for him.
Take heart yr a very good fighter and with that attitude i realy think weel be seeing more of you.
Just to echo the comments of the others, get back in the gym with that attitude and you'll be fine. Losing isnt a problem - plenty of top fighters lost early on in their careers, and it certainly sounds like you have learned from the experience. The other point I'd mention is that I think you had a very short am career so you are in a sense learning on the job, there is plenty of time for you.
Nice, Woody you have my respect
Ive 'come second' a couple of times and it is shattering and lonely but take head, you wheren't embarrassed and have recognizably learnt from it, good luck in the future.
I thought when looking at the schedule this could be a good match up. I've seen Sam Couzens fight a few times and has always been entertaining, he seems to be getting the winning formula after a couple of early defeats even if they were close. So just looking at his record it shows that you can come back from even a few loses and I'm sure you will.
To get on cards anywhere other than London or a couple of boxing hotspots like Liverpool, Manchester or Birmingham seems hard not only because they are few and far between but also because there's too many boxers trying to get on the same card when the promoter just seems to wanna bring in journey men for their fighters rather than decent challanges. Keep it up Woody all the best.
Hello Woody, I was going to drop you a good luck message beforehand but thought you would have been busy training etc. But sounds like you had a right royal tear up which you will benefit from the experience.
As I said before I dont get chance to get down to Crawley much these days (or Three Bridges) but if you ever get the chance to come north then I will make sure that I get a ticket.
Good luck in the future mate.