Foot using Uni heat chamber
“Unlike Darren, I’m not fighting in extreme temperatures but the climatic chamber has been brilliant in giving me the edge to my training that I need,” said the 30-year-old.
“You work harder, you sweat more and it takes a lot out of you, it just adds another dimension to the work you’re doing.”
Super-lightweight Surtees, along with Foot, both sweated it out in the University’s pioneering heat chamber, in preparation for their bouts.
The chamber, housed in the University’s Sciences Complex, is designed to give elite athletes a unique training experience by exposure to extreme temperatures.
Surtees, who captured the super-lightweight Northern Area title during his seventh fight, is now preparing to battle it out with Kane Baker in Saudi Arabia tomorrow.
In preparation for the high temperatures in the Saudi port city, the 24-year-old has been acclimatising to the heat in the climatic.
“The chamber recreates the conditions that I’ll be fighting in,” said Surtees.
“It’s been helpful in getting me used to higher temperatures. It’s hard work but it’s necessary for when you’re fighting somewhere like Jeddah.”
Overseeing the training has been Dr David Archer, a senior lecturer in exercise, physiology and sports nutrition.
He said: “Temperatures in Jeddah will be in their 40s during the day and in the 30’s at night, so it’s essential Darren’s body is suitably acclimatised to this.
“We exposed Darren to the higher temperatures over the period of a week, meaning that by the time he flew out to Saudi Arabia, he was, physically, already adjusted.
“This type of acclimatisation is essential when a boxing match takes place in such extremes. Darren could be fighting for between 30 and 40 minutes and to cope in that kind of heat his body needs to be adapted.”
Dr Archer also helped monitor the fighters’ sweat and drink rates, heart rates and hydration rates to help ensure they are adapting in the most efficient way possible.
The pair’s coach, David Binns, added: “Darren has been with me since he was just 13 years old. I’ve watched him come through the amateur ranks before turning professional just a couple of years ago.
“We wanted to come to the university because we knew this type of acclimatisation would be exactly what he needed to get him ready for the Saudi fight.”