Keep rein on the madding crowd in the ante room

BOXING is probably the most difficult emotional, physical and psychologically demanding sport.

It has phases and stages that need to be carefully adhered to in order for those participating in it to master it.

There is the preparation stage which involves training and planning for the fight.

The final stage is the execution when the boxer has to display whatever he or she has been taught in the gym.

In between these two stages there is a crucial make or break stage which is often overlooked and that is when a boxer awaits his turn to walk to the ring for a fight.

The boxer sits in the ante room visioning the fight in his head.

This is when picturing and imagining how the fight will be.

Some boxers such as former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis prefer to be alone.

Lewis would adopt a trance-like attitude and at this stage no one including his trainers were to disturb him until he was done.

But others need to be reassured and motivated for the task at hand.

Champion-producing trainer Zola Koti is renowned for reminding his charge how he should grab the opportunity and make it his own.

It is therefore very important to maintain order and discipline in the ante room so as not to disturb the boxers emotional momentum.

In most cases ante rooms are very chaotic as people come in and go out. They sometimes want to take over by offering their own piece of advice to the boxer even though it may be contrary to what the boxer had planned in the gym.

Before Jackie Gunguluza’s IBF junior-lightweight title clash against Puerto Rican John John Molina, hired trainer Harold Volbrecht complained bitterly that he found the ante room crammed with Gunguluza’s supporters.

This is why the duty of the trainer and manager is to maintain that order and safeguard their boxer from any uninvited advisers. These days, though, it is not a rarity to see boxers exchanging kisses and hugs with girlfriends and lovers in the ante room before the fight. This happens in full view of managers and trainers.

Admittedly boxers are different and need motivation from different things but discipline should be maintained because the ante room is part of the actual fight.

Therefore fans, family, friends and lovers have no business to be there.