The ring is set, the crowd* is loud
As we both step inside
My heart is pounding, my palms are sweating
But I won't let my nerves decide
My best buddy stands across from me
With a look of fierce determination
But I know deep down, we're just friends
Playing out this friendly competition
The bell rings out, the fight begins
We dance around the ring
Trading jabs and hooks and uppercuts
As the crowd watches, cheering
We're evenly matched, it's clear to see
As we trade blow for blow
But I can sense my buddy's tiring
And I know I have to go
I let loose with a powerful right
That lands square on his jaw
He stumbles back, and I press my attack
Knowing this could be the final straw
But my buddy's not done yet
He rallies with a will of iron
And lands a punch that rocks my head
But I refuse to fall, I'm rising
We trade blows with all our might
Till the bell rings out the end
The crowd is on its feet, cheering
As we embrace as friends
The judges' decision is in
And it's a split decision win
For me, but it doesn't matter
We both gave it our all, and that's the real win
We raise our gloves in triumph
As the crowd roars its approval
This was just a friendly match
But the memories will last forever
We leave the ring, arms around each other
Knowing that our friendship is stronger
Than any punch, any blow
We'll always be there for each other
Through the good times and the bad
Through the wins and the losses
We'll always be the best of friends
And that's what truly matters.
* This boxing match was a friendly bout, held in our gym. Therefore, the "crowd" is about 10 people.
Why Do Men Like Boxing So Much?
There are many reasons why men and boys may be drawn to boxing. For some, it may be the physical challenge and the sense of accomplishment that comes with training and competing. For others, it may be the excitement and thrill of watching a live match.
Additionally, boxing has a long history and tradition as a sport, which can make it appealing to guys who appreciate its cultural significance. Some may also see it as an opportunity to channel aggression in a controlled environment, and in a socially acceptable manner. Ultimately, the reasons why an individual man or boy may be drawn to boxing will vary from person to person.
Boxing Is an Important Part of Men's Lives
Boxing can be an important part of men's and boys' lives for several reasons. One reason is that it can provide a sense of discipline and structure. The training and dedication required to become a successful boxer can teach men and boys valuable life skills such as goal setting, hard work, and perseverance. Additionally, boxing can serve as a form of physical and mental exercise, helping to improve overall health and well-being.
Another reason is that boxing can give a man or boy a sense of identity and belonging. For some, being a part of a boxing gym or team can foster a sense of camaraderie and belonging, and can also provide a sense of purpose and self-worth.
Boxing can also be a way for men and boys to express and channel their aggression in a controlled and safe manner. It can help them to learn how to control their emotions and to channel their energy in a positive way.
Finally, boxing has a rich history and tradition, and for some, it can be a way to connect with and appreciate that history.
Overall, boxing can be an important part of men's and boys' lives as it can help them to develop discipline, self-esteem, and self-awareness, and can provide a sense of community and purpose.
The Friendship Between Men and Boxing
Whether it’s in the ring, the gym, or the streets, boxing is an activity that binds men together through the challenge of physical competition and the sopirit of camaraderie. While there are many reasons why men enjoy boxing, it is the friendliness of the sport that keeps them coming back. Through the punches, jabs, and defensive blocks of boxing, many men form lifelong friendships.
I guess it's a "guy thing." Although some women have taken up the sport in recent years, I have no interest in women's boxing--or women's MMA, for that matter. People can infer what they want from my distaste for female combat sports; I don't care. Women fighting each other simply holds no appeal for me. It's nothing against women as a group, or against boxing and MMA. It's just a personal preference; it resists rational explanations.
Getting back to matters germane to this post...
The Bond of the Gloves
The gloves used a boxing match represent much more than just protection for the fighters. The gloves symbolize the bond of respect that is formed between two men in the ring. Every punch, every block, and every dodge has the potential to create a deeper connection between the two boxers, regardless of whether they win or lose. This respect is only strengthened by the contrasting emotions of fear and excitement that all boxers experience when they step into the ring.
Before every boxing match in which I've competed, I've experienced the so-called "butterflies in the stomach." This intense, but manageable anxiety seems to go with the territory. No matter how well I expect myself to do in the bout, I still always feel nervous before a contest. Invariably, all of that anxiety disappears as soon as the first punch is thrown.
The bond of the gloves is further strengthened by the mental challenge of boxing. While boxers are physical athletes, the true challenge of the sport lies in the minds of the fighters. Every boxer must first understand their opponent before they can launch an effective attack. This form of mental chess builds a new level of respect between two men who are willing to put their bodies on the line for the sake of a good fight.
The Appeal of Competition
Competition is another strong component of men's boxing experience. In the ring, every boxer is trying to out-perform his opponent in the hopes of winning the match. This competitive spirit helps to push athletes to their full potential, creating a sense of camaraderie between the two fighters as they push each other to do better. It is this competition that helps to create bonds between men in the boxing ring.
It is also the competition of boxing that helps to deflect the negative emotions of envy, jealousy, and anger that can arise between two men in a physical confrontation. Because boxing gives them a safe, structured environment to practice and test their skills, boxers can work out their differences through physical competition and camaraderie.
A Risk: The Potential for Falling Out
Despite the potential for friendship, it is important to note that boxing can also lead to a falling out between two men. The sport can be intense, and there is always a chance that one fighter may be too aggressive, leading to a feeling of resentment or anger among the other fighter. It is important for fighters to be aware of the potential for falling out and to be prepared to handle the situation if it arises.
It is also important for fighters to understand that while boxing can be a fun, friendly activity, it can also get heated. It is important to remember that aggression should never be taken personally, as it is just part of the sport. If a fighter is ever in doubt, they should take a step back and remember that the goal is to have a good, friendly fight.
I enjoy the heated action. It ratchets up the challenge for me. When my opponent is and I are really mixing it up, I know that I am getting the best possible challenge. On the contrary, if I expect that my opponent or sparring partner is holding back, I take offense. Aside from being hit with a foul punch, that's the only time I ever get angry during a boxing match or sparring session. If the other guy is holding back, that tells me that he does not think I am capable of standing up to the real thing.
Obviously, even this situation does not create a hard and fast rule. There is certainly an important time for practicing and working on things easily with the sparring partner. Going all out every time you spar is really a bad idea. In addition to the potential for injuries, that approach will tend to alienate the other guys in the gym, or wherever you happen to be training. It's not going to impress anyone, so I simply don't act that way. If I have a partner who starts boxing that way, I will call him out on it. If he continues to act that way, I will probably end the session and work with him some other time, when he's able to be in better control of himself.
The Power of Friendship
At the end of the day, boxing is a powerful tool for making friends. Through the punches, jabs, and blocks of the sport, many men form lifelong bonds of friendship. The respect and camaraderie formed in the ring also allows men to manage their emotions and stay away from the envy, jealousy, and anger that can cause relationships to sour.
Ultimately, boxing allows men to form strong, lasting relationships that can last a lifetime.
Morphing Enemies Into Friends
Somewhat surprisingly to many people, boxing has helped two men who initially disliked one another to become friends. Indeed, many times, boxing has fundamentally transformed the relationship between two men. The intense training and competition can lead to a mutual understanding and respect, even between guys who initially disliked each other. Through working together towards a common goal and overcoming challenges together, individuals may come to see each other in a different light and develop a strong bond. Additionally, the focus on discipline, self-control and respect that is often emphasized in boxing can be a positive influence on personal relationships.
Conclusion
Boxing has the power to bring men together through the challenge of physical competition and the spirit of camaraderie. The bond of the gloves and the appeal of competition create a strong sense of respect between two fighters. While there is always some potential for a falling out between two men in the ring, the power of friendship is usually strong enough to keep boxers coming back for more. Whether it’s in the ring, the gym, or the streets, men’s boxing is an activity that brings them together in a unique way.
[This is a review of a coffee I discovered several months ago.]
While meandering through my local Whole Foods Market a few weeks ago, I came across a coffee with an interesting name: "Punch in the Face." As an amateur boxer, the name intrigued me enough that I had to try some. I picked up two 12 oz. cold cans to take home with me.
The roaster of this fine brew is Backyard Beans, in Lansdale, Pennsylvania. Before I bore you with more of my commentary, here's the 411 on the coffee itself:
https://www.backyardbeans.com/shop/punch
When I saw that coffee at Whole Foods, I knew I had to get some for John Preston, a coffee-loving buddy, in case it's not available in his area.
One afternoon a few days later, I got brave enough to try Punch in the Face. Not wanting to exercise moderation in this particular tasting fest, I decided to pound two 12 oz. cans of PITF.
The coffee tasted great. It had good flavors, including robust Latin American beans, chocolate, caramel, and a wee bit of chicory.
But PITF also gave me one hell of a buzz. I felt that intense head rush as I was finishing the coffee, while I walked outdoors during the cold winter afternoon, and for more than an hour after I drank my last drop of the stuff.
A Punch in the Face, indeed. That coffee lived up to its name. It was actually a pretty good feeling. However, I want to be more precise here.
It has been a long time since I have been punched in the face by another man with bare knuckles. Similarly, it has been a long time since I punched another man's face with a bare fist. In case you've never experienced one, a bare fist punch generates the sensations, if not the sounds, of bone cracking against teeth or bone (say in a punch to the other fellow's chin). The puncher may badly bruise or cut up his hands and seriously injure them, requiring medical treatment. The punch delivered by the PITF coffee is not like a bare fist punch.
On the other hand, during my adult life, I have been punched in the face many times by a fist in a boxing glove, and have delivered gloved punches to other men's handsome mugs a lot of times.
A key difference between gloved fist and bare fist is that the former lands with a muffled thump or thud, instead of that awful bone-on-bone cracking. There's a common misconception that it hurts less to receive a punch from a boxing glove. Having been belted pretty hard with heavily-padded 18 oz. gloves, I wouldn't agree with that simplistic assessment. A gloved punch still hurts, it just hurts somewhat differently than one delivered by a bare fist. Punching with a boxing glove is also much less likely to badly hurt the puncher's hand.
Back to the Punch in the Face coffee, I knew that brew was mighty potent. I wanted to find out just how strong it was. In an email, Amanda at Backyard Beans Coffee told me that PITF has twice the amount of caffeine as regular coffee. That means that a 12 oz. can has 275 mg. of caffeine. Whoa. Remember, I slammed down two cans of that coffee in a short time.
Thus, I had been "punched in the face," not once, but twice. In effect, the coffee clobbered me with boxing's classic combination: the ol' one-two. That means that PITF first stuck a quick left jab in my face to distract me and block my vision. Then, while the coffee blocked my view, it belted me with a hard right cross to my face. I never even had a chance to see that second punch coming.
I would be willing to concede that the coffee had a better strategy than me, except for one very important fact. I didn't get any chance to hit the coffee back! I'm a trained boxer; I know I would have given that coffee a tough contest if I could have faced it while I was wearing boxing gloves, and if we were in the ring together. But how does a guy punch coffee, especially after he's already drunk it and it's gone for all practical purposes?
My buddy, John, wants me to enjoy this coffee with a fine cigar. I told him I was afraid that would knock me on my ass! So he suggested a milder cigar. He convinced me. I just have to do it.
I have been enjoying that potent coffee lately. I like the flavor with its rich mix of tones. I also enjoy its boldness and intensity, and its "in your face" attitude, as evinced by its clever name: "Punch in the Face." I'm not here to advertise or sell any coffee, but I hope some of my Spartan brothers here who like an intense coffee will give this one a try. It's among the best coffees I've drunk in a long time.
I should say that I prefer coffees with a bold, rich taste. I started drinking coffee as a high school student. My coffee palate was not really developed during those days. I was happy to consume whatever coffee Dad and Mom (may they rest in peace) served at breakfast in our home. I enjoyed that coffee just fine, but it was all I knew.
I expanded the range of coffees I liked when I was a college student. I savored light roasts, dark roasts, and medium roasts. I tasted coffees from Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Hawaii, and Kenya. All along, I enjoyed the coffees that stood up as bold, the ones with intense flavor. That preference has endured throughout my adult life
The Punch in the Face coffee continues my personal taste tradition. I have discovered that the cold version of PITF is even enjoyable on a cold winter's day, like this February Saturday when I am savoring it. I expect that the cold and hot versions will be just as good in the spring and summer.
More closely to our men's community, I think the Punch in the Face coffee will also facilitate some good old-fashioned and wholesome male-bonding. One of my mentors in men's work, an admirable man named Jay Jairdullo, recently got me thinking about the value of surrounding myself with a group of like-minded men like those in the Spartan Tribe. Jay is right, and it's interesting how men bond and become friends.
Over the last few months, I have sought to expand my personal community of men. In addition to the fine men I am meeting at the Spartan Tribe, I have recently become friends with one particular man named John. He and I became fast buddies. Of course, coffee has been a point of connection between us.
John and I are also enthusiastically talking about putting the gloves on for a friendly boxing match sometime later this year. It should be quite a contest. He and I are already pretty pumped up about it. It will be some serious fun. Supportive as ever, my mentor Jay is excited about it, too.
Our friendly sports contest will be followed by a good steak dinner, cigars, some good whiskey (possibly distilled by another friend!), and the aptly named coffee.
Of course, that coffee has to be part of our bout. But that stuff has twice the caffeine as regular coffee, so I don't want my buddy drinking that in his corner between rounds. I will need to inspect his water bottle! 🤣
For the moment, I invite you to enliven your day with some fine java. I'm currently enjoying (but not advertising!) Punch in the Face, but of course, enjoy your choice of the bean.
Thanks for reading, and may good coffee be yours to enjoy!
March 3, 2021
