Support for a first time fighter...

I am approximately 8 weeks out from my first ever boxing match that will take place April 23, 2011. I am honored to be selected to fight at the Atlanta Corporate Fight Night 2 event and have been training as best I can around my busy work schedule. I met my opponent a week ago, very nice young lady...and TALLER than I am!! I will have to cut a few pounds to make weight. I am excited and scared but looking forward to this once in a lifetime opportunity to fight in an event like this.

This post is about another side of training...support system.

SUPPORT

The support from family and friends has been an interesting mix and has affected me emotionally.

GYM
I approached a couple trainers at my gym and the reaction wasn't what I was expecting. I had thoughts and visions of the trainers holding the mitts for me, giving me advice while boosting my confidence, and most importantly, these were the guys I envisioned in my corner on fight night!!

Needless to say, I haven't seen or heard from any of them since. I do plan on going back to the gym, I don't know if I will wait until the event is over as I want to focus solely on boxing, but I do miss some of the people there and the atmosphere. I miss muay thai and jiu jitsu but can't risk injury, PLUS I'm "undoing" my knee, elbow, and kick instinct LOL.

The promoter said in the past, boxers selected for the show have come from other fight gyms, and the trainers there had no issues or problems training their boxer or cornering them. She finally had to ask who was going to train me and corner me on fight night, I had to tell her that my gym was most likely not on board and I didn't have anyone in my corner. The promoter, being the awesome lady she is, offered to train me.

A few of the members straight up asked what gym I had been training at and why I wasn't training there, and were shocked.

Needless to say, I was sad about it. I know a concern was about me "not having enough training" but  no one in this event has ever fought or has been training for this!! This event is to showcase corporate business men and women who are NOT aspiring fighters blossom into a fighter for one night...for charity!!

FAMILY
As for family, my dad and younger brother plan on  making the trip to Atlanta. My mother wants nothing to do with it and I've tried every few days to sell her on the idea but she's more stubborn than I am LOL. She hates boxing...period, end of story. My older brother is still in Iraq but I'm sure he would be there to cheer me on if he could.

My dad was a boxer and I hope I make him proud. I've only seen him fight once, when I was very young and freaked out but seeing him box and win left an impression, and here we are today, roles reversed.

FRIENDS & COWORKERS
Most of my friends and the few coworkers that know are supportive. The comment I get most is "what about getting hit in the face?" but I know it comes with the territory. I've been hit in the face quite a few times over the years: hit HARD by a softball and football, had stitches twice on my face, had two black eyes, broken cheek bone, etc. My face has healed, as I expect will happen should I get hit in practice or during the event.

I am not saying I'm fearless, I'm still concerned about all the punches that will be thrown my way, as I assume a lot of fighters are when they first begin any combat training, but I just need to get passed those initial punches in training.

SPONSORSHIP
Speaking of support, I am still in need of sponsorship. I am keeping a positive mindset about it and hoping that one will come through soon. :) The investor benefits are awesome, and whoever steps up and sponsors me will be on BLAST through the media, websites, banner, plus I get to wear their logo all over me that night.
So there you have it...another aspect of training = support system, which I think it is just as important as the training.