By: Ricky Ray Taylor
*(as originally posted on www.radio knockout.com)
Through the years boxing trainers have recognized one tell-tale sign which SCREAMS a fighters “reluctance” to climb through the ropes and enter the square circle.

This particular hint of -unavailability- has chimed through the ears of boxing trainers ever since rules were adopted to “never spar without a mouthpiece”.

You guessed it: the “I-Forgot-My-Mouthpiece” decree (FMM).

“Forgetting” to bring one’s mouthpiece to the boxing gym reveals much more about a fighter than absence of mind.
{Of course the only exception to the rule is the white-collar who is simply training for fun; yes, they are the only exemptions in this case}

Experienced boxing trainers see it all the time; a “tough guy” invades a local Boxing gym and surveys the fighters from the shadows.
The immigrant then digests their own conclusion as to the damage they would incur if granted the opportunity SPAR.
When asked if they want to MIX-IT-UP with one of the fighters however, eyes open widely, beads of sweat appear before a convenient backdoor exit emerges – no mouthpiece.

Everyone knows that without a mouthpiece, sparring is out of the question.

In the fight game it is not bag work, mitt work or lip-service while standing in the “shadows” which reveal a persons propensity (or desire) to fight. Anyone can learn how to hit a speed-bag. More than anything the true unveiler of a persons heart – is in THE RING. Boxing trainers worldwide have grown to observe how ones immediate availability usually reflects what goes on in a persons head even before they step into the ring.

Surprisingly enough, the “No-mouthpiece, No-spar” decree is not limited only to outsiders. Though rare, this escape clause may also emanate from actual fighters in the gym who may not feel like mixing it up on that particular day. Perhaps the fighter has been working on a new style of combat and rather than opting to showcase their untested tools on stage, they will jokingly utter the FMM decree. Sore hands, bruised nose & fatigue may initiate the FMM decree as well.

Yet, unless the fighter has already earned their stripes in the gym, questions are sure to arise:
“Is he or she too scared to spar?”
“Can this person really fight?”
“Is this person cut out to Box?”

In order to answer (or avoid) these questions being thrust upon you (as a fighter), ALWAYS remember to bring your mouthpiece to a Boxing gym.
-RICKY RAY TAYLOR-
www.BoxerDRILLZ.com