Photo By Capt. Brandon Janson | Staff Sgt. Brian De La Fuente (left) holds training pads while Col. Norman Sabio...... read more read more
From the hard streets of the sandbox, near a hot, dusty runway in the Middle East
"We invite anyone who wants to learn how to box to join us, even if you have zero experience," said Staff Sgt. Brian De La Fuente, the group lead organizer. "Boxing is a great way to get in a good workout with some good built-in conditioning. It's also a lot of fun to learn. Our first week will focus on learning the different punches, what to do with your feet, and then we will progress from there," he said.
MWR organizers recently acquired boxing supplies for anyone that wants to box, with ten sets of boxing gloves and sparing pads, according to De La Fuente. The MWR recently approved the equipment for purchase, and it was just delivered. "All of the equipment can be washed," said De La Fuente. "While we are still performing physical activity, we want to be sure all the equipment is clean and safe to use with all the hygiene concerns going on right now."
Of note, the equipment acquired did not include boxing headgear. "We are not going to be doing any type of sparring," said De La Fuente. "We want to focus on the basics and develop hand and eye coordination and learn how to shadowbox. We want to focus on learning the techniques. There is also a heavy bag we are going to use to help with training. Everyone wants to throw the hardest punch, but that's not what we are trying to do here. Physical safety is a big issue, and we don't want anyone getting hurt and having to pull Soldiers from the battle roster," he said.
When asked how he got into boxing, De La Fuente shared that this is his first experience learning the sport as he is a beginner as well. "I used to watch boxing with my Dad growing up, but I never really got into it. We used to watch some of the Mike Tyson fights. He [Tyson] was just such a bad boy and was always the smaller fighter. He was just so small and powerful and moved so fast. Then, my wife bought me a set of boxing gloves a couple of years ago with the kids, and I never really used them. Then this deployment came up, and they sent them to me in one of my care packages. There was no club here. So, I thought I'd start one. I like to think about them [family] when I use my gloves because they got them for me," he said.
"The Sergeant really does a great job teaching," Col. Norman Sabio, one of the club's members. "You learn the basics and how to throw the punches. It [boxing] is done in a safe way, and you really benefit from a full body workout."
Staff Sgt. De La Fuente declined to comment on how many times the word "Adriane" will be used during club time when Rocky music will be played or what kind of heavyweight belts will be ordered as participant trophies.
"Listen, Sir, I just want to get the word out about the club. It's a fun sport to learn and a great way to get rid of some aggression. However, we are building a music playlist," said De La Fuente.
| Date Taken: | 08.07.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 01.04.2023 11:40 |
| Story ID: | 434427 |
| Location: | IQ |
| Hometown: | CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, US |
| Hometown: | INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 9 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Joint Task Force Med 374 forms New Boxing Club, by CPT Brandon Janson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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