Mum steps up for Boxing Battle
Walton Boxing Club coaches are helping two Matamata people realise their personal and professional goals. Rexine Hawes reports.
You either hit, or you are going to get hit.
That’s the advice from Michelle Wellington, who is stepping outside of her comfort zone and into the ring for the Hinuera Rugby and Sports Club Boxing Battle.
The busy mum to five children has been training for the past four months for the boxing battle on November 19.
The event is to help upgrade the Hinuera club rooms and is the first major fundraiser towards the project for the sports club.
Wellington, a Hinuera Club member, spotted the invitation to be part of the battle through the Hinuera Club Facebook Page and decided it was something she wanted to try.
‘‘It’s just something different, and is outside of my comfort zone,’’ she says.
To prepare, Wellington has two personal training sessions a week with Chris Croasdale at Evolve Fitness.
She runs 5 to 6km a few days a week and trains two nights a week, two hours per session at the Walton Boxing Club, which is supporting the event.
‘‘I have gained so much energy and strength.’’
Wellington says she couldn’t be as prepared as she is without Walton Boxing Club coaches Dr Raymond Richards and Trevor McIntyre.
‘‘They really know their stuff. The training sessions are hard and they train you as best they can, it’s up to you what you take from it.
‘‘I feel more confident with them behind me, I couldn’t do this without them.’’
Wellington’s approach to boxing has come a long way since she started training with Richards and McIntyre.
Sparring against an opponent, and punching another person, was an experience she had to come to terms with as part of the training programme.
‘‘It's just something different, and is outside of my comfort zone.’’
‘‘It’s hard when a punch connects, I felt horrible, I would stop and say sorry,’’ she laughs.
‘‘I had to stop doing that. The first time I was hit, it gave me a hell of a fright, but over time it taught me to always have my guard up but you are never prepared for a hit.’’
Wellington is yet to be paired for the boxing match, but McIntyre says they are working on that.
For now until the battle, Michelle is preparing herself mentally, and says she is full of nerves.
‘‘I am as prepared as I can be, I don’t have any expectations. I am just nervous of being put on my bum,’’ she said.
She attributes much of her preparation to her own iron will and her husband Andrew (Bull) Wellington, who has been an enormous support and has helped with the children when she has training sessions.
As for what will happen post battle?
Wellington says she is keeping her options open and has a few goals in mind.
The battle takes place at the Hinuera Club Rooms, at the indoor cricket centre. Corporate tickets have sold out but there are still a few tickets (available at Meat Co) left for bar seating.