With just 3-weeks of 12 left in the Bartender Boxing Sydney 2022 training camp ahead of the Sydney Bar Week headline event on Sept 4th, lets recap the journey and match-ups – announced this week on Instagram @bartenderboxing.
THE MATCHUPS:
1 Minna-Jane Nati Vs Brittany Rowe
2 Dula Lorensuhewa Vs Jared Merlino
3 Lee Potter Cavanagh Vs James Irvine
4 Martin Hudak Vs Mitch Townsend
5 Braden Becada Vs Matthew Harland
6 Connor Barkley Vs Dante Davies
The Journey:
What compels someone who’s never sparred a single round to step into a boxing ring? Someone who’s never strapped into boxing gloves, popped in a mouth and headguard, slipped under the velvet ropes into the field of action, under the bright lights to face an equal opponent. Let alone set foot in a professional boxing gym for the first time, or sparred a single round in their life?
Perhaps it’s the idea of becoming the self-alter ego? Maybe it’s the commitment and desire for supreme self-change, or a desire to truly challenge oneself and take a leap of faith. No matter, you can’t argue that it takes a lot of guts!
BBO programs start with grueling try-outs where we push applicants to their limits. Sounds mean, but it’s not. We need to know if contestants have the ability to push themselves to personal absolutes. From there, it’s 2-3 weeks of intense conditioning and boxing fundamentals. This leads to developing unique muscle groups, dropping lots of weight, and becoming a true student of the sport. It’s about this time where people get hooked on the sport and start to feel really, really good in their own skin.
Then comes the sparring, where you need to start learning to cope with someone pressing you. We start with basics and body sparring and work our way up, but regardless, this is about adapting yourself. You learn to breath and control your nerves, control that adrenalin. Eventually you get comfortable enough to start thinking alongside learned controlled breathing. That’s when the real chess match begins.
Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve been assessing each competitor’s skill level as we match-make the bouts for fight night.
This isn’t play boxing. At this stage we’ve now sanctioned the amateur bouts with the Combat Sports Authority, and the Boxing League of NSW, finalized meetings with NSW police, approved permits, and even received our brand spanking new ring canvas – which looks super dope.
Having done hundreds of bouts, what we know is this. Right now, the competitors are in excellent condition. They’ve all been through the same training. They are comfortable and competitive in the ring and with the thought of being put under pressure. What it’s about now is the mental fortitude and self-belief that they can compete on Sept 4th. This is the hardest part of training, knowing your but weeks away from the big night, where you’ll let it, all hang out in front of friends, family, and industry peers.
This isn’t play boxing. At this stage we’ve now sanctioned the amateur bouts with the Combat Sports Authority, and the Boxing League of NSW, finalized meetings with NSW police, approved permits, and even received our brand spanking new ring canvas – which looks super dope. Well done to our own BBO boxing promotor Mark Tarrant for pulling all the official strings for the event.
As before, we’re dedicating the event to the memory of our dear old mate Ben Carlotto, who we lost to mental health, and as before are committed and aligned in raising funds for the Black Dog Institute.
If you won’t be in Sydney, we’ll be sharing a link to support watch parties around the country and the world.
Win or lose, just to be able to complete training and show it off in the ring in front of more than 1000 people cheering you on, well, besides deafening, it’s an incredible experience. One that changes you forever.
We’re ready. The fighters are ready. Our sponsors are ready. Are you ready!? And so, here they are, the 6-bouts. Please ensure you engage with these amateur athletes on social media and encourage them over their final weeks of training. What they’ve achieved in personal gain and been through is admirable!
Get your tickets…https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/bartender-boxing-sydney-tickets-373035598517
Our brand partners recognize the magnitude of personal endeavor and improvement our bartender boxers undertake through our programs. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank them for their support. Great thanks to Grainshaker vodka and NED whisky as our presenting sponsors, and to Bartender Magazine as our official media partner. And to Hickson Rd. Gin, Crawley’s Bartender Syrups, and Fever-Tree tonic for their kind support, and belief in our work.
A heavyweight boxer in his youth, we love this quote from the great Nelson Mandela on sport. To paraphrase:
“Sport has the power to change the world, it has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does… Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than government in breaking down barriers.”
See you on fight night!
Best, BBO
Sydney Bar Week 2022
This event is part of the 5-day Sydney Bar Week line-up (3-7 September).
Sunday 4th September @ 8pm
HOME NIGHTCLUB
All are welcome to attend. Tickets available here.