Boxing - Fight for the Girls - Team Foss

What's in a TEAM

Boxing is a one man sport, at least when you are in the ring for the fight. Prior to that it is a team approach and there are many members who got me into shape for the highlight fight in Toronto May 18th in the Fight for the Girls event

Cal Malhiot, first off my good friend but also my boss, sparring partner, travel companion and the third man in my corner. His organizing the travel schedule and my training in TO put me in a well rested and prepared frame of mind.

Coach Doug Harder, with over thirty years of coaching boxers he is a jewel. A first class gentleman and one of the most knowledgeable trainers in the sport. He motivated me and sparred with me and taught me the little "Dougie Right Hand" It came in handy as I caught my opponent several times and gave him an eight count to start the third round.

Sparring partners. I was lucky to have several of them in the gym. They took it easy on me and didn't pound me too hard but stepped it up when they knew I needed a push.

Fellow gym rats. These guys showed up to train every day just like me. They wouldn't miss a time because they knew they would be letting me down by not being there to motivate me. Their tips and encouragement kept me going.

Friends, I am so lucky to have so many and they supported me not only financially but with their kind words. Some thought I was crazy but they got behind my effort. A young fellow in my office gave me these special candies and said Manny Pacquiao eats them and they give him energy. Good enough for Manny, good enough for me.

Survivors. At the very lowest point of my training I was over tired and somewhat frustrated as to where I was in my fitness and what I was able to do in the ring. One of my sparring partners had pushed me pretty hard and I was disappointed in how I was able to react to his punches. At a dinner a beautiful young lady had heard of my training and she and her husband chatted for several minutes. As they left she paused and gave me a hug and whispered that she was a survivor. I couldn't let her go too soon as tears welled up in my eyes. That was all the motivation I needed to kick my training into a new level.

Family. My poor wife had to endure my training, and weird eating habits. Worse of all the week in San Francisco in Napa and not being able to enjoy and share all that wonderful wine with her. She took on all the extra duties at home to make it possible for me to train as hard as I needed. My sons Adam and Cameron sparred with me and pushed me in the gym. They ran with me and checked on how my workouts were going. Without Jen I would never have been able to focus on what I needed to do.

Tom Foss, old school boxer, old school black and white........start of the third round just about to land a sneaky Doug Harder overhand right.

Thanks to team Foss.