Boxing has for decades received a
bad rap. Many casual observers believe it is brutal, often life-threatening and
traditionally run by gangsters and psychos and has no place in modern society.
But statistics show that boxing is one of the safest and best regulated sports
and the benefits far outweigh any negative aspects. It’s not called the noble
art and sweet science for nothing.
Apart from the amateur boxers who
regularly train at the D. Dalmain Ebanks Boxing Gymnasium every day, plenty of
school kids, women and men who just want to keep fit use the excellent
facilities. Two of them are mother and son duo Liza and Daniel ‘The Bear’
Christian. For the past three months they have travelled from West Bay to the
gym at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex at least twice a week to work out with
coaches Donie Anglin, Norman Wilson, Troy O’Neil and champion boxer Charles
‘The Killa’ Whittaker.
Liza and Daniel have seen the
benefits extremely quickly, feeling much fitter and sharper and losing plenty
of inches and pounds in the process. Daniel is interested in mixed martial arts
and boxing training was a good starting point. Liza’s mother died a year ago
and she decided to get healthier as a result and also wanted to learn some self
defence.
“We’re really enjoying it,” Liza, a
young looking 42, said. She is pleased that many think they are brother and
sister or husband and wife. “Daniel has got more in shape and he is less
focused on video games now. He even trains at home.”
Daniel, 21, has a mobility problem
which started as a four-year-old after he had a general anaesthetic for a bad
cut on his face. Nevertheless, he played rugby at school and he still harbours
ambitions of one day having a mixed martial arts fight. Boxing training has
helped his mobility enormously. He used to trip over frequently when he first
started. Not anymore. He is looking for work and would one day like to be a
voice over actor. In the meantime, boxing is his main interest and who is to
say he won’t make it as a commentator!
Related Videos
