Professional Nutrition Advice for Boxers

Recipe for a world champion:

discipline & self-respect

  Discipline: 1.  Mental self-control used in directing or changing behavior, learning something, or training for something. 2.  Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior.

It is amazing to me when I see these young, up-and-coming boxers with some good talent and not enough discipline to carry them through.  They seem to be only looking for the “good life” without a clue how to get there -- and, even more, how to keep their standing.  I’ve been in the boxing world for 10 years now and there are two things, besides talent, you need to be a world champion.  One is discipline and the other is self-respect.   If you want to be successful, you MUST have discipline.  Being involved in this sport for this long has given me the opportunity to meet some of the nicest boxers I’ve ever met.  BUT, I’ve also seen some characteristics in several of them that lead me to write about the importance of “discipline.” 

Many boxers don’t have a lot of education.  They come with a lot of street experience, but sometimes that street stuff doesn’t fly in a professional sport like boxing.  Let me be more specific.  On the street, you say whatever it takes to get what you want.  In the world of boxing, someone at some point will hold your feet to the fire.  If you’re suppose to run 10 miles and you stop after 3 or 4 miles because no one is watching, you are not just cheating yourself, you’re cheating your team.  They depend on you to do what you’re told.  That’s your job.  That’s also showing no self-respect.  You have a job and it’s up to you to do the very best you can every single day.

I think you learn that kind of discipline/behavior as a child.  If you don’t do what you’re supposed to do, it’s only a matter of time before it’s going to show in the ring.  Self-discipline is a very mature quality.  Everybody on the team wins when the boxer does what he’s supposed to. 

As a boxer, you should believe in your trainer/coach, therefore following his instructions.  He shouldn’t have to be on your case all the time to do the expected.  If you don’t have that faith in your trainer/coach, you should find someone  you believe in.  It’s that simple. 

Discipline carries over to how you should be eating.  You CANNOT gain a lot of weight between fights and expect to be at your best. When you come down to your fighting weight, you may lose some muscle, strength, and stamina.  Then, everybody loses.

No one ever said boxing is an easy sport.  It takes a lifestyle, a team, a lot of support and self-respect.  You never want to get in the ring with less than 100% effort in your training.  You want to get in there and give it your “all.”

Now, I get to brag a little.  The one thing I love about being a member of Garcia Boxing is that we are the “whole package.”  We’ve got the best training and support in the world:  Max Garcia, Dean Familton, and Sam Garcia, trainers; Kathy Garcia, manager; and Linda Rodriguez, Nutritionist.  What a team this is!  We’re all looking ahead to January 30 at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas to watch our boy “Eloy (the Prince) Perez” get his 16^th win and impress the hell out of all you boxing fans.  He’s recently been ranked number 7 within the WBO.  Watch out for this kid!  You’ll be hearing a lot more about him next year.

Linda's previous blogs:
Good judgment, planning crucial for boxers
Truths about your body and your diet
Live like a champ if you plan to become one