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ANATOMY OF A FIGHTER
Story by Ryan Kost/ A.S.U. State Press Magazine
The last thing his father told him before he
left Kuwait to study in the States was, “If you’re
going to keep boxing, don’t’ ever talk to me again”.
His father thinks it’s dangerous. All he knows are
those Hollywood boxing matches that leave both
fighters bloody.
They still talk. Just not about boxing.
Watch Muhammad Al-Awadhi train. Watch him sprint up “A” Mountain. Since
he came to Arizona for his degree in geographic information systems, he’s fought
in 10 matches. He’s won half of them. He says that’s “not very good”. He’ll get
better. Bit by bit, he already has.
Watch Muhammad Al-Awadhi get ready for a match. Watch him slice the air
with his fists. He boxes Olympic-style. It’s not like what you seee when you turn
on the TV, the kind where a referee counts down as a guy struggles to get back
up. There are points assigned based on the number of clean blows each one lands.
Just because you’re standing in the end doesn’t mean you’ve won.
Watch Muhammad Al-Awadhi enter the ring Watch him dance. He does it for
the sport, to test himself. When you’re in the ring, he says, all you have is yourself.
There’s no “team”, there’s only “me”. “The more you put into it, the more you get.
There’s no limit”.
Watch Muhammad Al-Awadhi throw his firts punch. Watch the fear melt away.
“You don’t plan on getting punched in the face”, he says. He’s not really afraid of
getting too hurt anyway. It’s dangerous, but ony if you don’t know what you’re
doing. He’s more afraid of losing. He doesn’t like to lose.
Watch Muhammad Al-Awadhi lose. Watch him get up and try again. This is all
just training. He doesn’t want to lose, but it’s good practice. “Right now”, he says
“it’s not about winning, it’s about experience”. The real goal is the Arizona Golden
Gloves. He lost there once before. In March, he’s going back.
--Keep watching Muhammad Al-Awadhi.
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FAST FORWARD ONE WEEK TO...
November 18th, 2007
Muhammad Al-Awadhi Wins the
‘Gene Lewis Annual Invitation Tournament’
(Congratulations from the Irongloves Coaches)
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Joe Leinhauser |
IRONGLOVES Voted #1
Boxing Club in
the East Valley
Thanks to everyone,
especially to the coaches!
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