Short Update

A lot has gone on in the past few weeks. I got into San Antonio and started training with the AF team. I made the decision to drop to 165 lbs and I flew out to Germany to visit my wife, who was shot in Afghanistan. She is healing and will make a full recovery and return to her deployed position. Because of the sensitive nature of this information if you want to know more I ask that you contact me by e-mail or my cell phone if you want more information. I would just ask that you keep all of our servicemen and women as well as their families in your prayers.

Choke Artist?

I made a valiant attempt, unfortunately I came up short at National Golden Gloves. I faced William Rosinsky from the New York Metro Golden Gloves team. It was a close fight, but I just didn't do enough to come away with the victory. I'm disappointed with myself because I feel like I'm just a step away from making a big splash in the amateur boxing world, but I keep coming up short. I have a decent record at 16-7, but against boxers ranked in the Top 10, according to last year's USA Boxing rankings, I'm 1-5, and 0-3 against boxers in the Top 5. This has me wondering if there is something wrong with me, that I can't step up my game when the opposition is in the top tier? Am I a choke artist that doesn't have what it takes to take on the top competition or that freezes up in a tough bout? I'm out to prove that none of these are correct, but it will take a great showing at USA Nationals to erase these thoughts. Until then I'm headed down to TX to train with the All-Air Force Team and get ready for USA Nationals. We should have a couple of bouts before Nationals to help us get ready. I'm excited about that because I hate sitting on a loss. I know it happens to everyone, but I prefer to have my last bout be a win, I guess that's just my competitive nature and probably more than that, me not being a graceful loser. (not that I'm one of those guys that throws a temper tantrum if I lose, I just don't take it very well and I'm not one to have a smile on my face after I go down in defeat).

USA Nationals will be my last opportunity to make it to the 2008 Olympic Trials. I will have to finish at least in the quarterfinals in order to make the cut. I am contemplating a move to the middleweight, 165 lbs, weight class in order to improve my chances of making the Trials and the Olympic Team. I'm waiting to hear from the AF Boxing Coach to let me know if that will be possible, or if I should stay at light heavyweight, 178 lbs. I'm currently at 174 so I would have to lose 9 lbs by June 2nd in order to make the next weight class. I'm not sure what my body fat percentage is right now, but I'm sure 165 will put me near the 3% mark, which I've been told is the minimum needed to be healthy. This will be something that I contemplate and pray about in the coming weeks to make sure I proceed in the right way. I ask that you will keep me in your thoughts and prayers as well.