A message from Abbie Smith
I started boxing back in February 2022 when I signed up for the ultra white collar boxing. At the time I was over 100kg, completely inactive and unable to do most exercise. The only reason I signed up in the first place was because my sister didn't want to do the experience on her own so I agreed to take part.
During this experience, I fell in love with the sport and exercise to the point where I struggle going a day without it. I committed myself to training 5 days a week boxing. By december 2022, I had moved on to fight for our gym on the unlicensed scene. My first two fights were at derby and looking back, I still wasn't the fittest or best I could've been.
In may 2023, I was offered a title fight which was what gave me the kick I needed to up the training even further. I continued boxing 5 days a week, added in strength training and was out running 6 days a week on top of this which lead to early mornings out on the road before work. Despite unfortunately coming up short on the result, I continued this intensity of training from there on. Since then, I have completed more fights on this scene with my last one being at the Nottingham Motorpoint arena against a girl who had had over 100 fights.
After this, I decided to bite the bullet and take boxing to the next level and turned amateur. This was a lot more intense than I was expecting after spending 2/3 years in the unliscenced scene. My first bout was in the final of the international belts tournament against a girl who had been in the amateur's a lot longer than me and it was tough, not at all what I was expecting and soon realised I needed to up my game even more.
So, instead of taking a minute to rest and recover, I got straight back to it. Continued boxing 5 days a week with an added PT session to help improve my technique, added in more strength sessions and a lot more fitness and sprints to get the level of fitness required. I left no stone unturned and then went to compete at the William Wallace box cup in Scotland against the same girl. Still didn't get the result however this time it was a lot closer than before. Currently I am using this to fuel me ready for the new season where I am taking every fight offered to me by my coach, no questions asked.
Looking forward to the new season!
- Abbie Smith