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Weight kutting with Kooky
28 Mar 2009 7:01PM
It’s always an odd week leading up to a fight. Your mind does funny things that are quickly forgotten after the fight has passed. Every single fight I’ve had I have had the same familiar mix of apprehension, aggression, nervousness and excitement. It could be very easy for your feelings and thoughts to be all consuming, so once again one has to consider our old friend ‘perspective’. One thing that I have mentioned to several people is that I always forget what a ball ache it is sorting out tickets and the practicalities of the weigh ins and fight day arrangements. Last time I fought (at Ross Pointon’s show a month ago) I left the ticketing to a friend of mine from work. This nearly had him in tears by the Friday night and spoiled the whole occasion for him... this has nearly been the case myself this time round. My point is that given the pressures placed on fighters anyway in the final week, it seems logical to avoid any additional stress (which I suppose is where good managers come into play). Last night all I wanted to do was get home, have a quick run to get some air in my lungs have tea (sans carbs) and then relax and have an early night.
I got home at about 3.30pm. I did not manage the ‘sit down and relax’ bit till about 9.00pm. I had texts, I had emails, I had phone calls (I added this up to total about 2 hours all told). While I appreciate the effort people make to come and see me fight or ringing to wish me luck... it can get a bit irritating. I also find it odd that some people try and barter with me for tickets... as in they look for a reduced price ‘as a friend’. On top of that they want a guaranteed ‘good’ seat, directions to the event, free parking, a good place to get some food and all sorts of other weird and wonderful demands! Ironically as I have been typing this I have received another text asking for directions to the venue!!!! I realise by selling tickets is an easy way to boost the fight purse, but I sometimes wonder if it’s worth the stress.
I’ve just got back from the weigh ins at the Bushido Academy in Nottingham and I made weight no problem. I actually weighed in at 83.5kg and was fortunate enough to have not really having to cut too much once again. I walk around at the moment at about 87kg so it was just a case of hitting the wheat bran fibre and losing some carbs over the latter part of the week. A hot bath this morning shifted an extra half a kilo so I was able to eat something and have a drink this morning before going over. Other fighters it seems did not have as much luck with the scales and had to re-enter the sauna with an hour to spare. I’m glad it wasn’t me!
I have got some food down me and have some more in the oven and have my eye on half a tub of leftover Ben and Jerry’s in the freezer. The phone will be off the hook and my mobile is on silent. No more tickets to sell and no more arrangements to make. I can relax at long last knowing the hard bit is done. I will enjoy tomorrow whatever happens, it’s another new venue, another good card and another good test for me. I’m really, really looking forward to that first beer again... I can taste it already.
I’ve enjoyed regular conversation over the last week with a friend who makes me laugh... a lot. This has been a welcome and kooky distraction from the usual pre fight stresses and I’d like to thank them for keeping me entertained! You know who you are!
Also thanks must go to Pep and Will. Training partners have been thin on the ground and they’ve helped me a lot... especially considering I snapped Pep’s leg (check out the brace anyone who’s there tomorrow!) and concussed Will. Thanks guys!
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