Boxing
Barry has always maintained his interest in boxing, but his fighting days are far behind him. While he watches boxing, I watch him and smile as he twitches his shoulders as though he’s in the ring. I suppose it’s muscle memory.
I never saw him fight, though I did see some of his training – running backwards up hills, press-ups, shadow boxing, skipping. The rhythm and pace of the skipping was impressive, the leather rope hitting the floor with regular beats. It made my skipping look very amateurish – if I could manage one double jump I thought I was doing well, but Barry could do umpteen in succession and do cross-overs as well.
Our eldest daughter was convinced, probably still is, that she had seen her father box, but she hadn’t – an example of false memory syndrome, I suppose, though I don’t remember boxing being discussed much in front of her when she was little.
One might think that all the rhythmic footwork would make a boxer a good dancer. Maybe some of them are, but dancing with Barry – our attempts at jiving, anyway – was more like being in a boxing ring. No punching was involved, of course, but I sometimes felt I needed ropes to bounce me back to him. Then his knees gave out and we stopped trying.
I now have a mental picture of you flying across the room after a particularly energetic step back! (I can't remember if that's the official term or not - my husband and I took jive lessons briefly but it was a long time ago) Did your husband box in public or just as exercise? (maybe you've blogged about it?)
ReplyDeleteHe was a very good amateur Army boxer. He fought at RMA Sandhurst in front of Field Marshal Montgomery.
DeleteWow - now there's some interesting history!
DeleteI have never been interested in boxing. I can't imagine stepping into the ring voluntarily so you can punch people and get punched back.
ReplyDeleteIt's the discipline and training that are the most important aspects of boxing, especially the discipline.
DeleteYou do have to be super fit, don't you. They never stop bouncing! xx
ReplyDeleteYou certainly do - well, he certainly was! x
ReplyDeleteThose are very ‘shiny’ looking boots - is it just a ‘shoe shine’ or are they oiled in some way to keep them soft and supple.
ReplyDeleteI think they were probably oiled. Modern boxing boots are probably much more flexible.
DeleteWe had boxing as a sport in school. We all had to learn it. Because of that, I have an interest in it. But I haven't got into a ring after I left school more than 40 years ago.
ReplyDeleteIt's a hard sport, to be sure.
ReplyDeleteThat last paragraph made me laugh, particularly that final sentence for some reason. I don't think my knees are up to jiving at the moment either! xxx
ReplyDeleteMine certainly aren't - and to think I used to dance The Twist every weekend x
DeleteInteresting that your daughter has that memory. Your last paragraph had me laughing too.
ReplyDeleteYes, she's quite convinced she saw him box - very odd.
DeleteI absolutely understand young people wanting to stay fit and slim via all sorts of vigorous activities eg team sports, jogging, surfing, gymnastics and even vigorous rock and roll. As long as the effort goes towards improving "self", not damaging "another person".
ReplyDeleteSo what does Barry now, instead of boxing? My seriously middle aged spouse spends 4 hours every Sunday on the golf course.
Mostly walking now, which I can do with him. He used to do a lot of cross-country running, then his knees wore out, so he switched to cycling, which I could also do with him. Then it was swimming and still is and we built a gym in the garden so he has all sorts of 'things' out there to keep him busy, They are also entertaining for the grandchildren, especially the little ones. Watching the littles navigate the cross-trainer is fun!
ReplyDeleteGood for your husband - fresh air and exercise together can't be bettered.
Boxing seems to be a popular activity to stay in shape these days. Neat that your husband used to do it!
ReplyDeleteBoxercise is popular. My son, who has an innate ability to box, joined a boxercise class and found he was the only man there. He didn't mind. My middle daughter and her fiance joined a class, too.
ReplyDeleteSome of my (younger) friends belong to a type of boxercise class - they love it & tell me how much fun it is. I always think it might be a really good exercise when I was in an angry mood with someone or something one day!!! 😉
ReplyDeleteBoxercise is said to be a really good workout.
ReplyDeleteHi Janice - lovely post about life (party of your life's history) ... I hadn't realised the boxing days. Sadly our bod starts to make us slow down - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteBoxing is in the genes, his, not mine, but we encouraged our children to try other martial arts.
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