Interview with Alive Boxing Instructor Kendell Ward!

I am excited to get the Alive blogs active again, and there could be no better start to this than an interview with a man I admire, Kendell Ward. Enjoy!

1. When did you start boxing and why?
Boxing has saved my life in more ways than one. I started fighting around the age of 12, and didn't get serious about actually Boxing until I turned 18. Fighting has always been a great part of my life, in school and around the neighborhood I have always been the smallest guy; with the biggest mouth. I used to fight a lot, and then came to find out that I had an itch that just had to be scratched. With the science of Boxing in my life now, I have learned the greatest part of humility and humbleness. I started fighting/boxing because it's real to me; it completes who I am today.

2. Who are some of your favorite boxers and why?
I remember when I was around 6 or 7, my family and I was watching a Sugar Ray Leonard fight, and after it was over I told my mother "that's what I want to be when I grow up!" Truthfully, she had seen it as a joke, laughed and shrugged it off not knowing what I would become today. As I became older I was turned on to Bernard Hopkins, and how much our lifestyles were very similar. Hands down these are the two boxers that I'd rush to the T.V to watch, both always had hand supreme electricity when entering the ring, and I enjoy seeing them in action with any opponent. That's what boxing is about!

3. How would you describe your teaching style?
My teaching style?... Hmm, I like to push myself to the limit when I am training, so I expect whoever is in the gym during my class will do the same. I like to pay close attention to detail, and have the ability to answer questions like; "why don't I feel comfortable", or "why can't I see what you see" among others, with a general description to why this will work and why this will get you in trouble. Footwork and Cardio are my major focus points, because in a real fight, having your feet underneath you and in the proper stance is 90-95% of a boxer’s game, and preparing your lungs for war helps out a fighter the rest of the way. Anyone can throw a punch, but the proper stance and footwork will help you throw that punch just a little bit better. A well conditioned fighter will be sucking in less wind, and will be able to push harder and last longer than their opponent across from them.

4. How do you work with both beginners and advanced students at the same time? What techniques do you use to be sure that both feel comfortable?
I have different levels of people in my classes, but even the ones who have been there for a while need footwork just as much as people who have never been there and are just learning. If you push yourself during class, I promise you will feel great after words. I curve my classes around how many beginners there are to the ratio of intermediate-advanced people. Practice makes perfect, and it really depends on you how hard you want to push yourself, because in the long run you are there for you. I normally do put a lot of one on one time during class to help out everyone.

5. For students who hope to have a pro career, what do you feel is the most important part of training?
Personally, the training aspect is a major part of it. The dedication and consistency is pretty much all you have to do. Train when you’re sore or tired, keep a goal in mind and make sacrifices. I have given up a lot to get to the point that I am at right now, and to this day I still make sacrifices. And when you need it you have to take a day off to rest and let you body heal, as well as letting your mind focus on what you have learned. Becoming pro is not easy, and a lot of people give up when it gets hard. The only thing I can say is without a dream there is no goal, and live your dream no matter what obstacles lay in your path.

6. How would you describe your fighting style?
Classic, no fighter in the world fights the same, everyone especially boxers have their own styles their own way of doing what makes them feel comfortable. I have been told that I have the footwork of Ali, the hand speed of Sugar ray, and the strength of Hopkins. I tend to study all sorts of fight videos, and I do see similarities, but my style is my own; it’s what makes me the fighter that I am today.

7. Who has been your biggest personal influence in boxing?
Myself, I am my own worst enemy when it comes to boxing. I am my drive and my motivation. I could say my family but then I would be lying; it’s not that I'm not close to them but I am my own man. I have overcome a lot of obstacles, and troublesome circumstances and the only one to help me through was myself and stepping into that ring. I tend to challenge myself every day, and push myself harder and longer trying to prove myself to... Myself. My motivation comes from deep down inside me, as a kid I heard a lot of negativity directed towards me, I just laughed and shrugged it off responded with "wait and see!"

8. What are your hopes and dreams as a pro boxer?
Every night, before I sleep, I close my eyes put on my head phones and focus on a world title. My dreams are so vivid and real that when I wake up I can taste it; it’s the first thing on my mind when I go on my morning runs. Without a dream there is no goal, and I could care less about the fame, I just want a world title. If kids look up to me that would be really cool, but the only thing I care about is showing why boxing will never die, seeing my name in lights, and fighting in front of the world for the world title. Gold is always on my mind, it's the last thing I think about when I go to sleep and the first thing I think about when I wake up.

9. Anything else you’d like to add?
"If you have a dream, hold on tight to it and whatever you do don't let anyone or anything stand in the way of you accomplishing what you set out to do! Failure is not an option! Never give up, No excuses" - Kendell "Psycho" Ward. Thanks to all who believe in me!

Laurena's Interview with Pro Boxer and IBF Belt Holder Paulie "Magic Man" Malignaggi!

I recently had the honor of interviewing renowned boxer Paulie "Magic Man" Malignaggi. I was very much looking forward to this interview for many reasons. First, I am from Brooklyn, so I support my home town heroes vehemently from afar. Secondly, his personality in the ring and mere presence on television are so strong, that I was curious to see if that cocky attitude would come across in the interview.
But I have to say, Paulie was incredibly honest and humble. I was almost stunned by his answers and I think that there is a remarkable depth and sense of self to Paulie. If more boxers knew how to put on a show but also reveal their true selves as Paulie did, this would be an even greater sport. Thank you, Paulie.
And yes... I did reply to his question for me about Amir Khan!

1. How would you best describe your boxing style? Do you feel that your style developed early on in your training or has evolved over time? I would consider my self a slick boxer, this is the sport of boxing. So, I like to box and move. You always evolve in this sport, you can only keep learning and changing different things as you go along.

2. Do you sense a renewed and greater interest in boxing now than in recent years? If so, do you attribute this to the incredible star-like popularity of Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather or to just trends in what people like/follow sports-wise over the years?
Honestly, not sure if boxing has a renewed interest, hopefully it changes.

3. What has been your most memorable fight and why?
Probably the Cotto fight has to be my most memorable fight, but also winning the IBF belt as well. The Cotto was just the highlight of my career, it put Malignaggi on the map. It had a great crowd, great atmosphere, I won't forget that day.

4. Is there anyone you have not fought that you would like to fight? Everyone knows Paulie Malignaggi will fight anyone, I always stepped up to the plate.

5. Did you expect Amir Khan to be such a strong opponent?
Personally, I was a bit surprised so I am curious to know what you thought. He was just a great opponent period, just had skills. He's an all around fighter, that will go far in this sport.

6. You can’t deny that you are somewhat of a polarizing “personality” in boxing. People seem to love or hate you; oddly enough more based on your choice of fashion, your vibrant personality and persona in the ring. Are you just being you or do you deliberately want to bring this element to boxing?
That's just me being me, I have fun with this sport, if you can't enjoy what your doing, no sense of doing it. If people dislike me, then I accept that, it comes with the territory.

7. Do you have any fights scheduled for the near future?
Nothing right now, shooting towards the end of the year, possibly in Italy. I'm filming a movie right now and that has my focus.
8. Any last words or anything you’d like to share with the public?

I'd like to thank everyone for supporting me, and standing behind me 100 percent! I've got the best fans in the world. Also check out my website http://www.officialmalignaggi.com/ and follow me on twitter!!! twitter.com/paulmalignaggi

Custom Mouth Guards: Worth the Investment? by Alive Boxer Jason Clark

Custom Mouth Guards: Worth the Investment?
Jason Clark’s Experience with the Process and the Result

I’m fairly new to Alive and the sweet science of Boxing, however after one trip to my local sporting goods store it quickly became apparent that the quality and range of boxing equipment was severely lacking. In addition, the sales staff was not qualified to provide guidance or even answer basic questions.
So, as I looked around the gym and all the different types of gloves, wraps and headgear, first wanted to know where they came from, and second, what’s the difference between various brands and types of gear? What’s the difference between Grants and Reyes Gloves and are wrestling and boxing shoes really different?
For boxing equipment there are two main suppliers Ringside (http://www.ringside.com/) and Title (http://www.titleboxing.com/). Both websites have a huge selection of boxing products and sizes and you can find regular sales events on selected products. Unfortunately, the only way to purchase gear is online and while they have very user friendly web sites, you can’t ask questions, try something on for size or feel and the ordeal of returning a product by post sends a shiver down my spine. Therefore, any feedback you can get on a product prior to ordering increases your chances of success.
There are many good resources for independent gear reviews; I’ve listed a few of my personal favorites below:
§ Rate this Gear (www.youtube.com/user/ratethisgear)
§ Sherdog Forum Gear & Equipment Reviews (www.sherdog.net/forums/f67/)
§ Boxing Forum (www.boxingforum.com/boxing-equipment-reviews/)
§ Asking gym buddies

Contrary to popular belief, some of us British citizens do actually value our teeth. I’ve tried a few of the boil/bite mouth guards and while they do represent great value for money I’ve never had a great fit (must be the Austin Powers teeth). During sparring, I found myself biting my tongue time and time again and the mold of my teeth never felt quite right. I became determined to find a better alternative and after reading some online reviews of various mouth guards, jawzz (http://www.jawzz.com/) seemed to be the best bet.
The price ranges from $75 through to $195 and as far as I can tell, the difference on price represents the amount of custom design artwork requested. I opted for the basic mouth guard, which includes a single color & one word artwork.
After placing my order, the kit (including instructions) was shipped within 2 business days. One warning, if you’re the type of person who tosses the IKEA instructions away prior to assembly, I suggest you actually read these instructions first! The instructions for fitting the mouth guard were clear and well written and also included pictures that walked you through each step. The first step is similar to the regular boil/bite mouth guards; you boil the rubber mouthpiece for about 30 seconds and then quickly bite down to leave an imprint of your teeth. The next step is what makes this mouth guard unique. Included in the kit is something that looks like two different strips of clay; you soften them up by kneading them together for a minute or so (very James Bond), and then you line the mouthpiece with the clay. Once that’s all set, you bite down on the mouthpiece again, but this time, for about 3 minutes. The clay feels pretty strange in your mouth, and you can actually feel it starting to harden and mold around your teeth. One plus – the clay is grape-flavored! After you take the mouthpiece off your teeth, you’ll see a perfect mold of your bite. There is some paperwork to complete that includes your artwork and font selections and then you just send it back in the packaging that was included in the kit. Once your mold is received, it typically takes 3-5 weeks to get your finished guard. The process was fairly straightforward and any queries you have are typically answered through email quickly and efficiently.
In terms of performance, the mouth guard is excellent; it’s a perfect fit, no more tongue injuries and I find it much easier to breathe during sparring and talk in between rounds without removing my guard, dropping it on the floor and weighing up the pro’s & con’s of replacing it without rinsing first.
The cons include the expense; while this is an important piece of safety equipment the top of the range at $195 is crazy. I suggest forgetting the custom artwork and leaving it to the UFC guys. As I mentioned before it appears to be the same basic mouth guard across the selections. Secondly 3-5 weeks is a long time to wait for delivery of the final mouth guard.
In conclusion I highly recommend the Jawzz basic mouth guard. Safety to me (and my M.D. wife) is a priority and worth the expense. Please remember that the Alive gym does stock a selection of gear including low cost mouth guards, which are perfect if like me, you often leave yours at home.
Regardless of a person’s budget, true value for money is measured by a product’s ability to meet its intended use. So, if you see someone with a piece of gear you have been thinking about purchasing, ask them about the pro’s & cons and make another Alive friend in the process.

Interview with Pro Boxer Ina Menzer!

Interview with Female Pro Boxer Ina Menzer
Ina Menzer was an absolute pleasure to interview. She is humble, dedicated, sensitive and strong. Her appreciation for her fans is truly heartfelt and genuine, making her all the more appealing as a great example in women’s boxing. Her bio, which you can read here, shows an incredible history of bouts, wins and titles: http://www.wban.org/biog/imenzer.htm

Interview with Pro Boxer Ina Menzer by Laurena Marrone Campos
Is boxing acceptable or popular at all for women in your native Kazakhstan?
It is acceptable, but absolutely not for women.
How were you first introduced to boxing and do you recall the feeling you had in first class?

When I was 14, I started Kung-Fu. 2 years later I accompanied a friend to boxing, I liked it and just wanted to try. But I probably liked it way too much!
What made you move to Germany?
My forefathers were German (they migrated, with thousands of their countrymen to Russia in the 18th Century, when Katharina II ruled Russia). When the 2nd war started, they were banished to Kazakhstan or Siberia. In 1990 the borders were opened and a wave of Russian Germans returned to their forefather´s native country.
How often do you plan to fight this year? Any chance of seeing you in the United States?
I think it is optimal to fight 3 times a year (for me), so that the body has enough time to regenerate. Theoretically it is possible that I could fight in the USA, but that’s a point that depends of my management and TV.
Do you follow American Boxing? Any thoughts on the looming Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Fight?
Both are great boxers. I think me and the rest of the world would like to see this fight. And it is a pity that it was cancelled.
Would you like to see Showtime networks organize a Super-Six Tournament for Women? Do you know Mikkel Kessler and is he your favorite to win the tournament?
For me, I would not like to take part in a Super-Six style Tournament. It takes too much time before you get the result (the winner) and if somebody is injured, things keep changing. I respect all of the boxers for participating, but I would not choose this for myself.
Yes, I think Kessler is the best boxer in this Tournament.
Who are your role models in boxing?
For me, I believe that Kostya Tszyu and Manny Pacquiao are legends of the sport.

What do you think it will take for Women’s boxing to become more popular worldwide?
I think we have taken a big step forward in the last 3 to 4 years. But there are still too many people who do not accept women´s boxing. I think televised women’s boxing is important to show the world that women are good, strong, legitimate representatives of this sport.

Can you offer any advice to women who are interested in professional boxing?
It is a very hard way to get to the top, you need a great deal of patience and discipline. It is also very important to have a team that is working with you on a professional level. It is still a male-dominated sport.
Any final words?
I would like to thank all who are supporting me across the world, especially after my last fight, which I lost. I received so many e-mails where people tried to perk me up and encourage me. That means more to me than any title.
To learn more about Ina Menzer, please visit: http://www.inamenzer.com/

Jits Does Work! By Member Heather Schalon

Jits Does Work!!
by Heather Schalon


I have been training in some form of martial arts for several years, but only in the past year I started to train in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. I’ll admit, it is a love-hate relationship. Being female, and only 120 lbs, I pretty much get my butt kicked every day. At first, I would get frustrated and try to use strength, but most people have more strength than I do, so that approach would only lead to more frustration! Or worse, I would get pissed and fall into the trap of stopping my training for weeks because my ego just couldn't take any more beatings.

But somehow the love and desire to master the techniques would get me back in the gym. I believe this is the same for most of us who train. There is a genuine passion, a hunger, and dedication to face and conquer our greatest challenges.

Then something interesting happened… I was in San Diego visiting one of my best friends and her boyfriend ( a 185 pound border patrol agent) and he kept nagging me about training in jiu-jitsu. He kept saying "it's never going to work against someone bigger.” He showed me a few of his "wrist control" maneuvers that he learned in his border patrol training. So one night after a few too many drinks, he said to me "what would happen if I attacked you right now?" I was a tad bit annoyed with him so I said "fine, let's go!”

He wanted to start off taking my back, he thought that would make it seem like more of a "real attack.” He had several advantages (weight, male, and he had my back), but within a minute I had him choked out in a jits triangle choke! Later that night he needed decided that he needed a replay, stating that he was “not prepared” the first time. Pretty much the same ending! Yes, it gave me a little ego boost as all of our friends were watching, and now even he believes this stuff works.

When I returned to the gym, I was reminded by Bill that my frustrations are normal. The majority of the people I train with are bigger than I am, and they too, are in the process of training. So while my skills improve, so do theirs. Regardless, I have come to love and respect this art form. I still get my butt kicked, but I notice that it takes a little longer each time, and that feels great!

There are many reasons that one comes to study a martial art. For me, the biggest reason I got into martial arts was for self defense. I was living in LA and working in an inner-city ED. I felt the need to be able to protect myself in an often hostile environment.

Every day I grow more confident about protecting myself in any situation because the truth of it is that the vast majority of people out don't have any martial arts training. I have learned through much work, sweat and effort, that even if someone is bigger, I know that my training and technique will help me. So, as frustrated or as pissed off as I may be at times, I will continue to train in jits because one day my technique is going to kick butt!

::Heather trains in multiple martial art forms.

Photo of Heather at a Muay Thai camp ::

Interview with Jimi Letchford from CrossFit’s Headquarters!

Recently, we had the opportunity to speak with Jimi Letchford from CrossFit’s headquarters. As we become a CrossFit affiliate, and celebrate Winslow’s certification, here is a bit more about CrossFit and what sets it apart from all fitness programs.

What does it mean to a gym to have a certified CrossFit instructor and be CrossFit affiliate?
It sets you apart by showing that your gym offers a world renowned, proven program for fitness; and that your gym takes the fitness component of the classes you offer very seriously.

If you were to speak with someone interested in getting in shape but had no idea what Crossfit is, how would you explain it to them in a sentence or two?

CrossFit is constantly varied movement at different intensity. It is completely individualized for the person’s level, age, goals and physical abilities. It helps make the person stronger overall, whether they are an athlete or not. CrossFit builds confidence and stamina in all who participate, but has shown very clearly that athletes who incorporate CrossFit into their training regime excel at a much greater pace.

If someone has tried the “gym” experience over and over but never followed through, what do you feel inspires people to stick with CrossFit?

CrossFit is very much about community. Our trainers are inspiring. Our program can meet anyone’s needs, challenges and goals while also staying diverse enough to keep one’s interest over a long period of time.

How much freedom does the CrossFit trainer, and student, have to vary the suggested program to fit their needs?
The trainer can scale any movement to the person. It is all about functional movement, natural movement, and natural function in life. CrossFit is relative to the person’s physical and mental ability. For example, you may have an athlete working at a very high level and pace. At the same time, you may have an elderly person benefitting from functional movement, even if that means moving a broomstick back and forth- both work.

How important is the dietary component to the CrossFit program? If someone did not follow the dietary guidelines, would they still see results and what would you say the % difference is?
The diet is truly the foundation to it all. You won’t see response without the dietary component. I explain it like this: you can’t expect a Nascar vehicle to run on regular gas, they need high octane fuel. Our bodies are the same.

How does CrossFit support & benefit those who concentrate on MMA, Boxing or any Martial Art?
Functional movement works. Athletes focus on performance, but they get their strength from fitness. CrossFit enables one to lose body fat and see a very noticeable elevation in mood, confidence, stamina and overall well-being. This makes for a stronger competitor.

Any closing comments?

First, congratulations to Winslow for becoming part of an elite group of trainers. Also, congratulations to your gym for becoming an affiliate. Neither of these are easy accomplishments.
It is important that everyone understands and sees that CrossFit is adaptable to everyone. We have trained the athlete, the physically challenged, the elderly, and those who have limited mobility. CrossFit works for every individual and enables them to become part of a supportive, positive and inspiring community.

If you’re interested in CrossFit or would like to learn more, please contact Winslow at 503.460.7015 and watch for the Official CrossFit Woodstock website coming soon!

Cage Fighting at the Zoo in Vancouver! Mid-week MMA!

Cage Fights at the Zoo are Back! Get Your Tickets Now for June 16!

MID-WEEK MMA AT CLUB ZOO is a venture of Alive MMA and its affiliates to host an entry level fight show which provides a venue for those interested in Mixed Martial Arts fighting to try it out in front of a live audience with fighters of matched weight and skill level.
This is an exciting event for both the participants and spectators! Open to all levels; 21 and over!
Ticket Information:http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/114564
June 16, 20106 p.m.
CLUB ZOOClub Zoo9310 Northeast 76th StreetVancouver, WA 98662
Info: 503-460-7015winslow@alivemma.com