Step Into the Ring with the Boxing Club
There may not be a better way to get in shape and let out aggression at the same time than in a boxing ring. Working out has proven to be stress relieving, but boxing takes it to another level by actually allowing you to hit the mitts of your opponent.
The boxing club has been around for a couple years at Arkansas, and president Danny Huynh has been in charge since the beginning of the semester. The club hosts two sessions in the HPER; one practice on Monday that focuses on cardio, and another on Friday when the club spars with each other.
Most of the club’s members attend the Monday meeting, since it mainly emphasizes getting a good workout. Walk-ins are welcome, so students can get a more regimented workout instead of doing it on their own at the HPER. While the club is not specifically based on self defense practices, there are a few things members can pick up in that department.
“A lot of the workouts are specific for boxing, so we need to build a good foundation for your cardio and legs. Those are what give out the fastest during a fight.” Huynh said.
“When you are swinging around, you’re going to get real tired. When you get tired your hands will drop and that’s when you make a lot of mistakes. These are things we work on Mondays,” he said.
The club stresses the technique put into every aspect of the sport. Any gap-toothed bum off the street may think he can win a boxing match, but the reality is, it takes more than swinging your fists at the opponent. Boxers have to be in the right place physically and mentally to be a successful boxer.
Many of the workouts are very intense. Huynh said it definitely helps to have 15-20 people pushing you to do your best, as most of the workouts may be difficult to complete on your own. One specific ab workout they do is almost impossible if tried alone, Huynh said
“You become so much more focused with the team than when you’re by yourself,” Huynh said.
Being focused is crucial to success in the ring. By the time Friday rolls around, the soreness from Monday’s workouts will be gone just enough to practice sparring. Whether they have no prior experience or have boxed in the past, everyone participates in the practices to improve their craft.
The club is coached by Bernard Oliver and used to get help from a former member who was the Arkansas 2011-2012 golden gloves champion and his coach. The team practices hitting mitts and uses full face protection, gloves and mouth guards. When they spar, it is more focused on speed in their hits instead of power.
For the future, the club is hoping to start up some type of tournament that the members can get involved in on campus, but that idea hasn’t quite came to fruition yet. As for now, the club is strictly intent on making its members better boxers.
“I’ve never boxed before joining,” Huynh said.
“When I came into the club about a year and a half ago I was pretty surprised how many mechanics went into boxing. I didn’t know how to hold my hands up right and all the little tweaks I could have done that I know now,” he said.
Depending on what you want to get out of it, the boxing club has plenty to offer. What better way is there to learn self defense, relieve stress and get a great workout than in boxing?
It seems like an obvious choice for any active student. Check out the club’s Facebook page, Arkansas Razorback Boxing Club for more information.
