| Abstrakt: |
Like many women, I've often punched bags in the gym for fitness, pummelling away as I worked the various frustrations of the day out of my system. Until last summer, I truly believed that that was as far as my career in pugilism would ever go. Then, right at the height of Olympic fever last summer, I sat on my sofa and watched in awe a genuine sporting feat: women taking to the boxing ring for the first time in the history of the Games. As 26-year-old Katie Taylor fought her way to a gold medal, I couldn't help wondering, what does it feel like to step into the ring and do battle, to be hit and not falter, to punch and stay calm? On that day in August, I dreamt of taking my training to a new level. I wanted to see what I was capable of - just how strong and powerful I could become when truly pushed, as professional boxers are - but dismissed it as pure fantasy. Because boxing isn't just about sky-high fitness levels, it's also about fighting. The truth is that the very idea of being hit, especially in the face, terrifime; boxing 'proper' was something that other tougher, stronger women did. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER] |
