Fight For Charity Event Program Fight For Charity 2019 | Page 9

to develop technique and boxing
conditioning, and participated in regular
boxing and spin classes in addition to
two group sparring sessions per week.
The training, as it turns out, was
a fairly easy fit for Kelly. He has a
background in athletics, with experience
in rugby and basketball. But sparring in
the ring was a different ballgame.
“The biggest challenge for me was
after the first sparring session – I went
up against a guy with more experience
than me and he knocked me around
pretty good,” he says.
As training continued, the charity
fighters focused entirely on ring tactics,
strategy and the mental fortitude
required for the big night. At this point,
the fighters had to put everything
they’d learned to the test. During
sparring sessions, they progressed
to hand defence, head movement,
defence after offence, counter-punching
and ring control.
For Kelly, the camaraderie among the
fighters has played a huge role.
“Seeing people improve, gain
confidence and encourage one another
has been the best part,” he says.
“Everybody has been working hard and
setting a good tone. There’s been a lot of
personal and physical development.”
The final phase of training – the
week leading up to the fight – was
used to recover as training began to
taper off. Here, the charity fighters
mentally and physically sharpened up
for the fight.
Boxing is an individual sport, but
training for a fight takes a village. Kelly
and the other fighters worked alongside
Pan Am Boxing head coaches Dylan
Martin and Harry Black, as well as
additional coaches and amateur fighters.
“Dylan has been fantastic; he’s an
absolute gem,” says Kelly. “He was
there whenever we needed him. He’s
a great person to look up to and learn
from.”
Sabrina Carnevale is a freelance
writer and media professional with
15 years of broadcasting experience.
A familiar voice on Winnipeg radio,
Sabrina was a reporter with CBC
Manitoba and former broadcaster with
Bell Media.
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