Image Credit: ADOBE STOCK
February 22, 2019 - 7:30 AM
KELOWNA - A lot can happen in three months. For Geoff Lawrence, the period between April and June is one the most exciting times of the year. In those three months, he runs countless drills and skill tests with a group of dedicated fundraisers, transforming them from everyday people into boxers. When the three months are done, they're ready to step in the ring.
"It's an accelerated practice," he said. "It's pretty effective."
Lawrence, the owner of Mad Katz boxing club in Kelowna, is also a coach. He trains people from all skill levels in the art of boxing. Right now he's looking for a fresh crop of trainees, ones who have next to no experience with boxing. He'll recruit them, teach them and train them in three intensive months. He's assembling a team of fighters for an important fundraiser in July.
Lawrence is putting on a charity show on July 6 at the Rutland Centennial Centre involving amateur boxers and three-month wonders. The newbie boxers will be raising money during their training for Karis Support Society (a recovery service for women) and Ozanam Recovery House (a transition home for men).
The three-month training period is open to anyone, as long as they're prepared for an intensive program. Lawrence breaks training sessions into two part: Conditioning and skills. He starts each session with a warmup before moving onto a conditioning circuit. He focuses on the skills and finer points of boxing by breaking fights into segments. Late in the three-month period, pairs will break off to practice sparring.
Lawrence has seen all types walk into the program, from optometrists to financial analysts. He said they once had a 300-pound participant who enjoyed boxing so much he now competes as a regular amateur.
"[People have] described [boxing] as the most amazing thing," Lawrence said.
When training newbies, Lawrence has noticed a common obstacle: Actually punching someone. Lawrence said people are conditioned not to hit each other in society, so when someone steps in the ring for the first time, there are a lot of mental and physical hurdles stopping them from walloping their opponent.
"It takes a lot of practice to hit someone," he said.
Lawrence is excited to welcome another batch of trainees into the program as they prepare for the July 6 show. Lawrence said the entire event production costs $14,000.
"It's a really fun show," he said.
Anyone interested in learning how to properly throw (and avoid) a punch can contact Lawrence at 250-859-1397 or geoff@madkatz.ca. The three-month program starts on Apr. 1.
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