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Johnny Nelson trying out for the Paras

Posted: 12 May 2008, 08:46
by Boxingmad

Posted: 12 May 2008, 08:59
by twenty six
Johnny has done several programmes of this nature, and is often found presenting on BBC North.
He's a first class presenter, and has a big future in broadcasting.
Good luck to him, a first class bloke.

Posted: 12 May 2008, 08:59
by stujones
Is his fire still in boxing.... sounded like he was going to comeback a few weeks ago.

Posted: 12 May 2008, 09:06
by rhino222
but how would he have coped with the milling ??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgoP37DV ... re=related

Posted: 12 May 2008, 09:07
by twenty six
He's still fired up BY boxing Stu but as for a comeback, no way.
Who can blame him ?
He loves presenting, be it boxing or anything else for that matter.
He's good at it, and in demand TV wise.
I know which I'd choose ........
I know boxers often go by "never say never" but it would take a phenominal offer for Johnny to go back.
He would need 6 months notice as well.
Add to that his age ..... the old git !

Posted: 12 May 2008, 09:12
by DavidPayne
rhino222 wrote:but how would he have coped with the milling ??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgoP37DV ... re=related
made me sick that.

Posted: 12 May 2008, 09:31
by Boxingmad
I'll try and find out if he took part in the milling.

P Coy is vicious. When trying out for the Paras, I could only do a few weeks, as I was just not cut out for it. Maybe I should've been a lot fitter but I think even with high fitness I probably wouldn't have made it. I only did 4 mile marches in recruit training but even they were nasty. 35lbs on my back felt like carrying another individual, and you had to march fast then break into a run. They call it tabbing (Tactical Advance to Battle).

Nelson did well on the events. It takes real mental strength to just get through it, let alone pass it. Johnny's gone up in my estimation after watching that.

Posted: 12 May 2008, 09:34
by stujones
twenty six wrote:He's still fired up BY boxing Stu but as for a comeback, no way.
Who can blame him ?
He loves presenting, be it boxing or anything else for that matter.
He's good at it, and in demand TV wise.
I know which I'd choose ........
I know boxers often go by "never say never" but it would take a phenominal offer for Johnny to go back.
He would need 6 months notice as well.
Add to that his age ..... the old git !
So what was that he was saying in the after math of Enzo vs Haye... I don't know if he was taken out of of context - but I had the feeling that the whole occasion got him buzzing, not just a big money fight with Haye.... sounded like he would fight Enzo Mac - if the money was right.

Posted: 12 May 2008, 09:35
by Boxingmad
I'll try and find out if he took part in the milling.

P Coy is vicious. When trying out for the Paras, I could only do a few weeks, as I was just not cut out for it. Maybe I should've been a lot fitter but I think even with high fitness I probably wouldn't have made it. I only did 4 mile marches in recruit training but even they were nasty. 35lbs on my back felt like carrying another individual, and you had to march fast then break into a run. They call it tabbing (Tactical Advance to Battle).

Nelson did well on the events. It takes real mental strength to just get through it, let alone pass it. Johnny's gone up in my estimation after watching that.

Posted: 12 May 2008, 09:44
by dondada
Boxingmad wrote:I'll try and find out if he took part in the milling.

P Coy is vicious. When trying out for the Paras, I could only do a few weeks, as I was just not cut out for it. Maybe I should've been a lot fitter but I think even with high fitness I probably wouldn't have made it. I only did 4 mile marches in recruit training but even they were nasty. 35lbs on my back felt like carrying another individual, and you had to march fast then break into a run. They call it tabbing (Tactical Advance to Battle).

Nelson did well on the events. It takes real mental strength to just get through it, let alone pass it. Johnny's gone up in my estimation after watching that.
I watched it. Good viewing. Johnny only took part in three (I think) running based tasks. He failed the last, tough one.

My dad used to box in the Army and used to love it as they all got looked after. Funnily enough, it all started from the milling. You were supposed to just steam in but my dad took the odd step back and chinned a few in a row so they sent him to the boxing team.

If you like documentaries of this nature, keep an eye out for 'The 50-year-old Commando'. One unbelievably tough bastard.

Posted: 12 May 2008, 10:24
by Boxingmad
I think "The 50 Year Old Commando" has been on already. It's about Chris Terrill, who was making the series "Commando - On The Front Line" and he decided to try the Commando Course at the end of the series for his own personal achievement. He passed the course, which is a massive feat - both that and the Paras' P Coy are incredibly tough tests to take, and of course the SAS' Selection.

I believe Terrill trains at the Fitzroy Lodge gym, so he was pretty fit anyway!

Posted: 12 May 2008, 10:26
by Gray-Fox
I've never doubted Johnny's mental strength.

Posted: 12 May 2008, 10:26
by Boxingmad
I reckon Nelson would come out of retirement for Macca - wasn't he due to defend against Macca in the first place before he retired?

Posted: 12 May 2008, 10:31
by twenty six
No he wouldn't unless there was a phenomenal deal on offer.
I stick by my earlier post.
He's a mate and I know him well.
Stu - Johnny used the situation to create a bit of news / hype around the place, it makes good TV !
No one was more shocked than Johnny with how the press grabbed hold of it.

Posted: 12 May 2008, 10:32
by dondada
Boxingmad wrote:I think "The 50 Year Old Commando" has been on already. It's about Chris Terrill, who was making the series "Commando - On The Front Line" and he decided to try the Commando Course at the end of the series for his own personal achievement. He passed the course, which is a massive feat - both that and the Paras' P Coy are incredibly tough tests to take, and of course the SAS' Selection.

I believe Terrill trains at the Fitzroy Lodge gym, so he was pretty fit anyway!
Yes, it's been on, but ITV4 show it occasionally - and you've spoiled the bloody ending for anyone who wanted to watch it now! :evil: When he got that injury towards the end, I didn't think there was any way he could pass...and none of the PTIs did either - all of them said he had no chance.

Yes, he did train and Fitzroy but I don't care how fit you are, to be 50 and pass that test was absolutely amazing. Some very fit lads half his age couldn't do it.

Posted: 12 May 2008, 10:48
by Boxingmad
Oops! Sorry Ian!

Yeah, I think no amount of training can really test whether you are able to pass that type of course - it's in the mind and i guess i just didn't have that extra bit of mental toughness to get into the Paras. Shame really.

Mr Batey is my hero!

Posted: 12 May 2008, 14:05
by el_grande_mauro_mina
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgoP37DV ... re=related


Batey (who with his white t shirt, I guess is an officer) is the stuff that heroes are made out of, as you could see from squaring up from the first bell he had no idea and probably never had a fight in his life before but the lad kept getting up and flying in only to be met with a fist and a trip to the canvas.

It doesn't take a tough man to give a beating but it takes a tough man to get up from a beating and go in to to take another battering, out of the two men in the vid - I know who will have passed P Coy.

I would have never attempted it - I think I would have done great at the milling but shite at everything at everything else! :lol: Being a paratrooper is not about being tough but it is a vocation and the men who become paratroopers, royal marines and SAS are obsessed with becoming
elite soldiers and train for it for months before basic training - you don't walk off the street and attempt parachute regiment basic training, that I do know.

Posted: 12 May 2008, 14:07
by el_grande_mauro_mina
Boxingmad wrote:Oops! Sorry Ian!

Yeah, I think no amount of training can really test whether you are able to pass that type of course - it's in the mind and i guess i just didn't have that extra bit of mental toughness to get into the Paras. Shame really.
Boxingmad - don't worry about it, if you are still keen why don't you join your local infantry regt and train in time to get your wings - pre para and then P Coy - there are always some mad fool who wants to attempt it - even amongst the sloppos! :lol:

It sounds like you weren't prepared at the time, it doesn't mean you can't do it in the future.

PS: Didn't Spud pass P Coy? :-?

PPS: Yup, I got an angry email off the potato man who not only clarified he passed P Coy and got his wings but was also in the pathfinder platoon So there you go...



Does anyone have a video of Spud milling? :lol:

Posted: 12 May 2008, 18:09
by rhino222
Boxingmad wrote:I think "The 50 Year Old Commando" has been on already. It's about Chris Terrill, who was making the series "Commando - On The Front Line" and he decided to try the Commando Course at the end of the series for his own personal achievement. He passed the course, which is a massive feat - both that and the Paras' P Coy are incredibly tough tests to take, and of course the SAS' Selection.

I believe Terrill trains at the Fitzroy Lodge gym, so he was pretty fit anyway!
there is no comparison between the marine and para training 9similar standard) and the SAS/SBS training, the latter make the marine/para training seem like the boy scouts..

imagine lying in wait in the jungle in borneo, just you and a buddy, 6 weeks lying and waiting, eating, sleeping and shitting and pissing, permanently with your weapon cocked waiting for an enemy, that might not come, 2 hours on and 2 hours off...just you and a buddy, 6 fcuking weeks !!!!

Posted: 12 May 2008, 19:36
by Bard of Boxrec
god, that milling business looks savage- how long does that kid have to take a beating for?

Posted: 13 May 2008, 05:23
by dondada
Boxingmad wrote:Oops! Sorry Ian!

Yeah, I think no amount of training can really test whether you are able to pass that type of course - it's in the mind and i guess i just didn't have that extra bit of mental toughness to get into the Paras. Shame really.
No disgrace there mate - all you can do is give it your best shot.

At least you aren't one of those pie munching, beer swilling sofa dwellers who rattles on about 'what could have been'. Oh, I realise I've just described myself... :lol:

Posted: 13 May 2008, 15:41
by dr_devious
rhino222 wrote:there is no comparison between the marine and para training 9similar standard) and the SAS/SBS training, the latter make the marine/para training seem like the boy scouts..

imagine lying in wait in the jungle in borneo, just you and a buddy, 6 weeks lying and waiting, eating, sleeping and shitting and pissing, permanently with your weapon cocked waiting for an enemy, that might not come, 2 hours on and 2 hours off...just you and a buddy, 6 fcuking weeks !!!!
Well depends who your buddy is. If mine were Eva Herzigova, I'd piss it :lol: