Wish me luck…
Wednesday 15th July 2009, 12:15PM BST.
SO this is it now. Just a few days left after ten solid weeks of hard work.
I have to admit that, irrespective of what standard I am now at, I am impressed with myself for sticking it out to the end – something I rarely manage to do. And, as far as I can remember, have only missed two sessions out of 30. One when I had a bad stomach and the other was the morning after my stag do!
Thinking back to my first blog – and seeing Adam Fowler’s excellent piece on Channel last week – reminded me how hard we all found it at first. Some of us even struggled with a few rounds against a boxing bag. But, thanks to Ben, his dad Allan and all the other coaches up at the gym, we’ve been whipped into shape and ready for Saturday’s big showdown.
Just writing about it releases those annoying butterflies in my stomach which only usually come out ahead of any Man United Champions League game on a Tuesday or Wednesday night. The big difference between this and those mid-week worries is that I can’t chew on my nails as I’ve promised to grow them in time for my wedding on 5 August.
Before we even get to Saturday, we’ve got to attend B-Bar on Friday evening at 6 pm for our public weigh-in in front of our friends and colleagues. So, it’s my cleanest underwear for Friday…or perhaps I’ll dig out the Borat-style mankini I was made to wear for part of my stag party?
Either way, it will all be adding to the glitz and glamour of the whole event, which culminates on Saturday at the Hotel de France. There will be dry ice, lights flashing and our theme tunes. We were all asked to pick which song we wanted to walk out to, and I have to admit that it took me a long time to choose. I thought about going for something funny and stupid (someone suggested the theme tune to Steptoe and Son would suit me!) but in the end it had to be something a little bit more upbeat to get me going.
Being up close to our referee Steve Collins will be an honour, too. For those that don’t remember, he was the Celtic Warrior; the huge Irishman who was the first person to beat the annoying Chris Eubank. What a couple of fighters they were. I’ve interviewed Steve before and he’s a great guy. I just hope he looks after me on the night.
I think it would only be fair to save the best till last. For me, the star of the whole adventure has been Ben Murray, his dad Allan and Irish Tony and all the other boxing coaches and kids at the gym. Ten weeks ago, when they first set their eyes on us trying to take on a boxing bag, they must have wondered what they had taken on. But thanks to their hard work, commitment and effort, they have shaped us all into amateur boxers, willing and ready to take to the ring on Saturday.
Wish me luck….
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Hi Carl
It is great to read about and identify with what you are going through (as a fellow white collar boxer).
I would echo your comments regarding the coaches. They have done a fantastic job of encouraging and “cajoling” us so that we are fit enough to participate in three rounds on the night. They must of held their heads in their hands watching us puff and pant through the first few weeks but never failed to provide encouragement and support throughout.
Good luck for Saturday sir. I will see you on Friday for the weigh in. I was married last autumn, that was a breeze compared to this so once the fight’s over its all plain sailing….The thought of a cold beer after the fight makes it all worthwhile.
The “Punishing Pygmy”.
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Hi
Carl
I think you are inspirational x
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carl i saw you in that mankini and dont think you should be wearing it,(the wig maybe?)anyway good luck i’ll be there cheering my nephew on sat,and thanks to the trainers and thats not the ones on your feet.
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Boxxing eh? If you box like you made me laugh, which eventually got me the boot from that telesales job, you will have no worries in winning! Good luck mnate, all the best! Dom
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To beat this guy, you need speed – you don’t have it. And your knees can’t take the pounding, so hard running is out.
So, what we’ll be calling on is good ol’ fashion blunt force trauma. Horsepower. Heavy-duty, cast-iron, piledriving punches that will have to hurt so much they’ll rattle his ancestors.
Yeah! Let’s start building some hurtin’ bombs!
Good look bro.
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Hi Carl,
You have trained hard over the last 10 weeks (hopefully mirroring the same training schedule as in the Rocky films!) now let your fists do the talking!
I’ll be waiting for the update next week
Good luck for the big fight!
Ste K
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Hey Carl,
I can picture it now, instead of screaming “ADRIAN”, you’ll be calling out Elaine’s name from the ring in true Rocky style (slurred accent is a must!) ;-p
But seriously though, best of luck – go out there and inflict the pain!!!
And sure if you end up battered and bruised prepare yourself for an ass-kicking from Elaine if your not “photo presentable” for the wedding album ;-p
See you in Malta
Gem
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Remember Carl you are MR T in Rocky III, Pure POWER! you can take any body down! I PITY THE FOOL YOUR FIGHTING!!!
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Good luck Carl. Your were always able to give me and Liss a good beating
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Good luck Carl…….you just make sure you do your best and don’t worry about getting a few punches that will sort you out for the wedding….he he only kidding you will be fab and remember stunning wife to be will be on the side line…..you better impress or there will be no wedding…..again only kidding……
Good luck honey
Debs x
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Carl/Rocky,
The very best of Irish on Saturday! I have no doubt you will be brilliant and think of how fit you are after all that training!
Mind that gorgeous face of yours, the elephant man was not invited to your wedding!
See you in 2 weeks, yayyy!!
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For inspiration to beat this guy up,if you are getting beat just think your mum will show you up by diving in the ring and will lay this guy out cold with one swing of her handbag! and Steve Collins if he starts.
Great news…if you win i`ve agreed your next fight will be against the 7 feet tall, 23 stone Russian world champion called Valuev.
I am so proud of the drive and determination you`ve shown in the training, now make it all worthwhile and win!
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Carlos,
Getting fit just before the wedding: great idea!
Having your first ever fight just before the wedding:…..??!
All the best brother,
Ry.
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Good Luck Carl,
Maybe there will be an opportunity after to bring out “Carl Walker’s Lean Green Fat Reducing Grilling Machine” after the fight!
Give George Foreman a run for his money
Gav
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Hi Son-Everyone keeps asking me if I’m nervous about you fighting this match a couple of weeks before your wedding day-yes I am!However I am proud of the discipline you have shown throughout your training and I know that you are taking part in this for the right reasons- so good luck Carl,score as many points as you can and keep your opponent at bay-I have promised your dad I will exercise great self control and stay out of the ring- still there’s not much I will be be able to do tied to my dining chair wearing a straight jacket!I had to agree to your dad’s conditions otherwise I couldn’t have attended!! lots of love Mum.xx
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Do we need to bring some sunglasses to Malta with us for you to hide your panda eyes?
Well done. See you soon.
G and V.
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Very very proud of you for taking part, very very angry that I lost £100 because I thought you’d drop out before the fight!
Great night, great company, great fight, great big black eye….
Well done to Mum for keeping calm (I lost another £20 because I thought she would be in the ring before the end of round one)
Glad we helped to raise some cash for a worth while cause and well done for taking part.
Try not to put your family and friends through so much stress next July/August please!
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