Focus, 24/7

By Joe

If any of you enjoy boxing as much as I do, I am sure that you have at least heard of HBO's show, 24/7. It is a real life documentary of sorts, that follows two boxers as they prepare to fight each other for whatever belt may be on the line.

The most recent 24/7 showcased two fighters from different parts of the world. The challenger from the UK, Ricky Hatton. And the Champion Manny Pacquiao, from the Philippines. I'm writing about this fight not because it was a great one. Anyone who saw it, knows that it lasted just under two rounds. However, it ended with one of the most perfect knockouts I've ever seen. Nor am I writing to provide stellar boxing insight about the in's and out's of the short lived fight. I have never boxed anyone in my life, so I couldn't provide you with anything of the sort. I am writing to discuss something that became very apparent to me while watching the past 4 episodes of 24/7. Something that was extremely prevalent in one fighters regimen, and almost nonexistent in the other. Focus.

Focus is something any athlete can't live without. While watching scenes of Ricky Hatton train, I noticed that in between swinging at the heavy bag, punching the speed bag, or jumping rope, Ricky was constantly making jokes. Stopping what seemed to be a furious workout, to say a dirty limerick, pull his pants down, or discuss things about his favorite soccer club. His trainer, Floyd Mayweather, would constantly show up late to workouts. Rationalizing his tardiness, with the fact that he will punish Ricky even more to compensate. And in between his workouts, there was never any review of his opponent. No mention of Pacquiao's tendencies, or habits in the ring. Overall, the whole training camp lacked focus.

In contrast, the training camp of Manny Pacquiao was totally different. On very rare occasions did I ever see him smiling, or joking around while in the gym. When his sparring sessions became too popular, his trainer Freddy Roach closed off the gym to anyone who wasn't specifically involved in the training process. Even members of Pacqiuao's "entourage" were asked to leave the gym if they weren't helping train the champion. His "off" moments were spent in prayer, or recuperating from the days workout. And his trainers spent the down time reviewing tape of the challenger.

And what was the outcome? A round 2 knockout by Pacquiao, which sent chills down the spine of anyone watching. With just a few seconds left in the second round, Manny connected with a right hand hook to Hattons jaw that, if I can be permitted to quote Rocky Balboa, must have "rattled his ancestors."

The fight was a complete joke. Pacquiao embarrassed Hatton. In the first round alone, Manny knocked Hatton down two times. When it was all said and done, the more focused fighter walked away without a mark on his face. While the unfocused one walked away with his jaw aligned two inches to the right.

I'm not saying you can't have fun while you prepare for your opponent. After all, if you're not having fun, what are you doing playing in the first place? However, you have to realize you have one goal, and one goal only. Destroy your opponent. Learn his every move. Study his every weakness. Leave no question that you are working harder then he is. I heard an athlete saying this on TV the other day. "If you and I get on a treadmill, I'm focused on one of two outcomes. Either you're gonna get off first, or I'm gonna die trying to out run you. I'm not afraid to die trying." As intense as that may sound, I think its something that is missing in many athletes today. Focus on one thing, and one thing only. Doing everything you can to beat your opponent. Be the one with your hands held high in the air at the end of day. Not the one with your teeth in the 3rd row. You won't always walk away without a mark on your face, but hey, ask our CTO Dan Spinosa... chicks dig scars.