Over the past eight weeks, eighteen office workers have been transformed from mild-mannered colleagues into bloodthirsty, pumped-up fighting machines. They’ve sparred, danced, hit punch bags and built up their muscles in preparation for the ultimate show down: Fight Night in an Olympic-sized boxing ring. ‘Corporate Contenders’ is Haddin’s Gym’s second boxing program, and participants have been coached by Ricky Miller. An ex-Marine, Ricky is also Physical Training Advisor to the UAE Armed Forces. (and made of pretty stern stuff we presume). We caught up with him to ask how the training was going.
What does the Corporate Contenders challenge involve?
We train people right from scratch – they sign up for an intensive eight week crash course in boxing and train three times a week for two months. I’m the head coach and handle sessions, teach them the moves, punching, defence, footwork and everything else they need to learn for their final boxing match.
What inspired the program?
‘White collar boxing’ as it’s called, started off in the UK about ten years ago – it’s basically office workers training up as boxers, then having a contest. There have been events like this in Dubai for years, so we thought, why not do it in Abu Dhabi too? This is our second series and we’ve got 18 contenders – four girls and 14 guys.
Do you take the training in stages or just throw the competitors in at the deep end?
No, there are three distinct phases. First we do the initial boxing training, which involves understanding what boxing is all about. We get them used to boxing fitness training, which is very hard and very intense. Phase two focuses more on the coaching aspect, and developing physical fitness. Part of what contenders sign up for is unlimited access to Haddin’s Gym, so many of them have been training there in addition to the three boxing sessions– it’s fantastic. They monitor their own weight and fitness too because they’re so keen. The third phase is sparring and fight preparation and this last phase will really show who shines.
Have they developed fast since they started training?
Yes, there’s been a really marked improvement in their fitness levels and the weight has just dropped off some of them. They are also feeling better in themselves, and their self confidence has grown. And even though it’s me speaking as their coach, their boxing ability is much better. I said to them, if you could see yourselves now, compared to the first couple of weeks you’d think you were different people.
How do the contenders keep so motivated then?
Well there’s a real focus, and an end product to work towards – they’re going to box. So the fitter they get, and the more they learn, the less painful it’s going to be when they get in the ring! (Laughs). These guys have really worked hard and we’ve put them through their paces.
Any injuries so far?
No, no, we’re very careful! Obviously there’s always some risk with boxing, but the way we go about sparring cuts down the risk. It’s conditioned; we don’t just let them go hell for leather at each other. Trainees start off at a low level, with the conditions I set them, for example: you’ve got two minutes, and only can throw ten punches each. Conditions like that help them use their ring craft and footwork to throw the punches rather than swinging their arms about willy-nilly.
And will there be similar rules on Fight Night?
On Fight Night we’ll be using regular amateur boxing association rules. I’m a qualified referee so I’ll be calling the bouts. Because I know the boxer, I’ll be able to give them a little leeway about fouls and that sort of thing. It’s the first time for almost all of them, so they’ll be very nervous. A familiar face reff-ing will of course help ease the tension.
What are your top tips for any wannabe Rockys out there then?
Quick plug! Try out Haddins BoxFit classes because they’re very well run, supervised and safe. Once you’ve got the flavour, you might be interested in joining in Corporate Contenders next time we run it.
Haddin’s Gym (050 800 6492).
