Christian Ennor

Posted in Kickboxing with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 22, 2013 by Jarrod Boyle

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I am lucky enough to have Christian Ennor holding pads for me. He is among the best pad holders I have worked with; he is systematic and understands not only how fights work, but how to train for them.

One of the things I admire most about him – other than his insight into the intricacies of fighting – is his physical courage. He always positions himself in such a way that I can get maximum leverage and power into my strikes, which is always at his expense. That kind of self-sacrifice is emblematic of the very best trainers.

He is also proof that a great trainer needs intelligence and insight every bit as much as experience.     Continue reading

Drag-Racing in the Desert of the Real

Posted in Film, Observation, Pretensions toward cultural theory, Reading with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 17, 2013 by Jarrod Boyle

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I had an argument with some friends of mine recently about Dexter. Personally, I think that is a show for which the script is a poorly-written pretext for the violence. Continue reading

Charles Poliquin – Minister of Insanity

Posted in Fitness with tags , , on March 14, 2013 by Jarrod Boyle

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Click to access super_accumulation.pdf

This is probably my favorite training article – ever. Not only is it a fascinating insight into the kind of methods – and attitudes – that produce elite sportspeople, it’s also hellaciously funny.

And it’s my kind of humor.

Enjoy.

R.I.P Ramon Dekkers

Posted in Kickboxing, Real Men with tags , , , on February 28, 2013 by Jarrod Boyle

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Ramon Dekkers is one of the greats of Muay Thai; probably the greatest Westerner to ever don the Mongkon. He had two hundred fights for one hundred and seventy-five wins, which would probably have been an even greater number had he not taken so many fights back-to-back with as little as a week in between.

Sadly, Dekkers died today, aged 43. He made a massive contribution to my fighting and training life; he and his father Cor Hemmers made my experience of living and training in the Netherlands fantastic.

Discrimination! Oppression!

Posted in Observation with tags , , , , , on February 24, 2013 by Jarrod Boyle
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Portrait of Ian Lang, former head of school at Victorian College of the Arts School of Film and TV, relaxing at home.

Some months back, I posted an entry about a skirmish in the war of the sexes. Continue reading

Peter Graham

Posted in Journalism, Kickboxing, Peter Graham, Real Men with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 13, 2013 by Jarrod Boyle

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Blitz Magazine, December 2012

The day I talked to Peter, he was managing multiple tasks and unsure I’d be able to get any sense out of him.

“I’ve just come from ten rounds of sparring!” Continue reading

Slowinski vs Edwards vs K1

Posted in Kickboxing with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 12, 2013 by Jarrod Boyle

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International Kickboxer Magazine, Jan/Feb 2013

K1 has been through some trying times of late; bankruptcy, changes in ownership, radioactive meltdowns and the like. The brand of the world’s most prestigious fight organization has survived, however, with a strong Australian contingent as a crucial part of it. BEN EDWARDS and PAUL SLOWINSKI talk to JARROD BOYLE about their recent experience in Japan at the Final 16. Continue reading

The World’s Best Muay Thai

Posted in Kickboxing with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 12, 2013 by Jarrod Boyle

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International Kickboxer Magazine, Jan/Feb 2013

Kickboxing, as a sport, as been evolving since the early eighties. Its roots in Muay Thai have remained constant, however; Muay Thai continues to exist despite fashion and rule changes and springs up like a hardy flower in the most unlikely of places, taking root amongst passionate practitioners and audiences alike. JARROD BOYLE takes you on a whirlwind tour of the best fighters defining and promoting the art worldwide. Continue reading

Best Lawyer Joke Ever!

Posted in Jokes with tags , , , on February 11, 2013 by Jarrod Boyle

With thanks to Julie Hock.

The madam opened the brothel door and in walked a young man.

“May I help you sir?” she asked. Continue reading

Blood-and-Guts Love Letter

Posted in Love letters, Statement of intention with tags , , , , , , , , on February 8, 2013 by Jarrod Boyle

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“Boxing and bullfighting are elevated above other sports because of the blood that is in them.”

–       Ernest Hemingway (paraphrased from Death in the Afternoon).

 I have posted a few love letters on here over time. I was taken with the idea when I heard about ‘The Love Letters of Great Men’, courtesy of Carrie Bradshaw in ‘Sex and the City’. Let’s face it; we watch for blood. It’s not just ghoulish curiosity; it’s also for catharsis. And if you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you know that I don’t give a fuck about anything that isn’t bloody.

The following is presented for your delectation.     Continue reading