2008 - extract 4
OK, during the past week in Thailand, the most important event has been Pawel's first fight.
Since we came to Thailand, myself, Pawel and Dawid have all been training very hard. At the end of the week, the manager of the gym asked Pawel if he wanted to fight. Without any hesitation, Pawel said, 'Yes I want to have a fight.' The only surprise was that the fight was going to be the next day!
We were told that his opponent was about 74kg. Next day, around 5pm, we were on the way to Pattaya (Fairtex Boxing Stadium). We arrived late and there was no time to prepare to a fight properly! No time to do a massage, shadow boxing or stretching. Just as soon as we got of the car, straight away we ran to the changing room to put the shorts on. In the meantime one of the Thai trainers who was with us was wrapping hands for Pawel. Next thing I can remember was that we were told to run to the ring. Everything was in such a hurry that just on the way to the ring we put boxing gloves on for Pawel. As soon as we got in the ring, we realised that Pawel's opponent was not 74kg - he was at least 95kg, and he was from Holland!
Before the fight, Pawel did a wai kru and ram muay, which helped him to relax and prepare mentally. The fight should have lasted for five, three-minute rounds with elbows and knees to the head. Pawel started slowly, with a very good defence and timing. After about a minute he saw an opening and did a beautiful punch combination and knocked his opponent down. The referee asked the guy if he wanted to carry on, and he said yes. Pawel straight away started doing combination of punches, knees and a beautiful elbow, after which referee stopped the fight. The fight lasted only for 1min 40seconds. I’m proud of you, Pawel, and good luck in the future fights! From tomorrow, my plan is exactly like last week. In the morning I will train myself, and in the evening, I will hold pads for the guys and help teach them.
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