Jaron 'Boots' Ennis, arguably the most famous and decorated professional boxer currently out of the fighting city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
I watched this man warm up throwing his 1-2's up the line, down the line, in two's, four's, six’s.. forward and backward in a straight line for a whole HOUR before he even moved onto anything else.
Slowly, with intent and control.
Just a reminder...
You are never too good for your basics and fundamentals.
My favorite fighter of the night did not get his hand raised, nor did he absolutely dominate and obliterate his opponent; no, instead he lost beautifully.
From the opening bell it was obvious that the other boy was older and bigger, and more refined in experience. With each shot that hit him, you could see the doubt and discouragement creeping onto the boy’s face and body language, as he was competing well above his size and years.
I’ve seen grown competitors twice and thrice his age crumbling under lesser pressure. What I saw that night was something extraordinary.
As he was done getting readied by his coach with the officials signaling the cornermen to get out, he looked across the ring, against a much more skilled and accoladed adversary, something the thought of that would wither and break the will of most. Instead, fixing his gaze forward, he took in a big breath or two, calmed his nerves and went onto finish the fight.
This boy displayed a level of composure and heart that even professionals fail to replicate at times. He understood that he was losing, that he was behind in the scorecards, but he never let it deter him from the act of doing and staying true to the moment, to finish what he started.
To me, witnessing moments like this as a silent observer documenting from the sides is what makes this art and science so humbling, so beautiful, so empowering.
I love seeing such pure expressions of our primal origins.
This photo was one of my favorites from the Freestyle Finals at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. It captures the moment a South Korean wrestler securing a bronze medal, exempting him from mandatory military service. Shortly after, the man saluted his coaches and teammates to pay respects to his country.
Photos like this tell so much beyond what the image shows at the surface level. So many untold stories....
All the early mornings, hungry nights, missing special occasions like weddings and graduations of family and friends that can never be experienced again.
All those homemade dinners you miss from your mother, because you have to make weight.
All the days you miss seeing your own children grow up.
Crippling doubt and anxiety stemming from possible career-ending injuries to come back from, minimal socioeconomic stability, not to mention the days you feel like you aren't getting any better or improving in the practice room, having you question every decision you've made up to that point...
These are the reasons why I fall in love, again and again, with the passion and courage of martial arts and combat sports, where you face all your angels and demons in the form of another human being across from you.
Conquer yourself.
Triumph.
