Achilles heads to the locker room to search for his friend Jack. Jack is his favorite sparring partner, and they spend a lot of time training together. Achilles spots Jack laughing with a group of friends in the corner and approaches him.
"Hey Jack, how are you?" Achilles asks as he reaches out to his friend. Jack turns around, shakes Achilles' hand, and introduces his friends. "Hey Achilles, come on, let me introduce you to my friends. The tall one is Byrne, the short one is Zack, and Wilson, don't underestimate him, even though he's fat, he's super strong! Haha!" Wilson smiles and flexes his biceps, not at all bothered by Jack's comment. The other two friends laugh, and Achilles greets them before finishing getting dressed.
Achilles discovers that all of them go to the same school, even though he only knew about Jack. Once they're ready, they head to the training room to begin their session.
After the warm-up exercises, the coach moves on to shadowboxing and directs some students to the punching bags, while others practice their punches in the air or on a bag that bounces with each hit. As they begin, the coach pulls Achilles aside and expresses some doubt about his ability to handle the intense training. However, Achilles responds with confidence, assuring the coach that he is up for the challenge.
The coach recalls the day Achilles came in with a videotape of an interview with Mike Tyson, asking if he could train like the boxing legend. Initially, the coach was skeptical, but after watching the video, he was impressed by Tyson's training routine. He talked to Achilles and his parents about the rigorous and demanding nature of the training and ensured their agreement. He also explained the drawbacks, including the long adaptation time and delayed results.
Despite the challenges, the coach saw potential in Achilles and decided to let him train like Tyson. And now, as the training session begins, Achilles is ready to tackle the grueling workout ahead of him.
As achilles begins his shadowboxing, he focuses on his technique, throwing powerful punches and quick jabs. He is determined to become a great boxer like Mike Tyson. He visualizes his opponent in front of him and unleashes a flurry of punches, bobbing and weaving as he moves around the imaginary ring.
The training regimen includes a lot of running, jumping rope, shadowboxing, and working on punching bags. There is also a lot of focus on strength training, with exercises such as push-ups, pull-ups. The goal is to build up strength, speed, and endurance, so that the boxer is physically and mentally prepared for the rigors of a boxing match.
One of the hallmarks of this training regimen is the use of very heavy bags, which are designed to simulate the weight of an opponent. Boxers must learn to hit these bags with full force, building up their strength and technique. They also work on their footwork, learning how to move quickly and gracefully around the ring, and how to avoid getting hit by their opponent.
The training is very demanding and can take a toll on the body, both physically and mentally. It requires a lot of dedication and focus, and the ability to push through the pain and exhaustion. However, for those who are able to complete the training, the rewards can be great. Boxers who train in this manner are often very successful in the ring, with a high level of strength, speed, and endurance that can be difficult for their opponents to match.
After the shadowboxing session, the coach moves on to mitt work with the students, holding the pads as they practice their punches and combinations. Achilles is paired with Jack, and they work together seamlessly, their movements fluid and coordinated. They have been training together for months, and it shows.
Next, the coach sets up the sparring session, and Achilles is eager to put his training to the test. He steps into the ring with a fellow student, and they begin circling each other, looking for an opening. Achilles bobs and weaves, dodging his opponent's punches and counterattacking with his own.
The coach walks around, observing and giving advice to each student. He stops at Jack and watches him train with satisfaction, as Jack has relatively few mistakes. The coach thinks that Jack has some talent, but he may not become a champion due to his tendency towards laziness. The coach corrects Jack's mistakes and moves on to Achilles.
As soon as the coach sees Achilles, he notices his mistakes. Achilles is trying to imitate Mike Tyson by throwing powerful punches, but his movements are slow and disjointed. The coach stops Achilles and tells him that what he is doing is not good. Achilles looks confused, thinking he was doing well. The coach explains that Achilles is focusing too much on power and that he needs to understand how his body works.
The coach points to his own body and explains that power should come from his ankles, through his knees and hips, and finally to his shoulders before being released in a punch. He emphasizes the importance of having a strong core to transmit the forces to the upper body. Achilles listens carefully to the coach's instructions, and the coach decides to demonstrate the correct technique to him.
As Achilles watches his coach's demonstration, he realizes that the coach's punches are indeed lightning fast and precise, despite lacking the same level of visible force as Tyson's. He voices his doubts to the coach, saying that he believed Tyson's punches to be much more powerful. The coach laughs and reminds Achilles that he had asked him to focus on speed first and then power, as speed is one of the most crucial factors in boxing. The coach continues by explaining that being fast enables a boxer to dodge and evade their opponent's punches while delivering their own punches faster than their opponent. The coach reassures Achilles that power will come with time and training, but if he prioritizes speed in his training now, he will already have an advantage over his opponents. Achilles listens attentively to his coach and realizes that he needs to adjust his training strategy to focus more on speed than pure power.
Achilles nods, understanding his coach's advice. He starts to practice the techniques his coach taught him, trying to focus more on his speed rather than just power. He quickly realizes that his punches are becoming more fluid and faster, allowing him to throw more punches in a shorter amount of time.
The coach continues to watch and give advice, making sure that each student is improving and learning new techniques. He walks over to Wilson, who has been struggling with his form. The coach takes a moment to adjust his stance and shows him how to shift his weight correctly. Wilson tries it out and immediately feels the difference. He throws a few punches, feeling more confident in his form.
As the training session progresses, the students become more comfortable with the techniques they are learning. They start to incorporate new moves into their routines, and the sound of the punching bags and jump ropes fills the gym.
At the coach's direction, both Jack and Achilles agree to start sparring. As the coach watches them, he recalls the first time he saw Achilles step into the ring. The coach couldn't help but notice how Achilles' demeanor completely changed as soon as the bell rang. The look in his eyes turned emotionless and it sent shivers down his opponents' spines. It was precisely because of this transformation that the coach agreed to Achilles' request to train like Mike Tyson.
The coach understands that boxing is not just about physical strength and technique, but also about mental toughness. He knows that Achilles has the potential to be a great boxer, but he needs to learn how to control his mind during the fight. The coach advises Achilles to enter the ring with a different mindset, to become a beast that is not afraid of his opponent and that will do whatever it takes to win.
The coach tells Achilles to visualize himself as an animal, a lion or a tiger, that is fierce and fearless. He encourages Achilles to channel this animalistic energy during the fight and to not hold back. The coach also advises Achilles to focus on his breathing, to keep his mind calm and focused, and to not let his emotions take over. He reminds Achilles that boxing is a mental game, and that the fighter who can control his emotions and stay focused on his strategy is the one who will come out on top.
Achilles listens intently to his coach's advice, and he takes it to heart. He knows that he needs to be mentally strong if he wants to succeed in boxing, and he is grateful to have such a knowledgeable coach to guide him. With the coach's words ringing in his ears, Achilles steps into the ring, ready to unleash his inner beast and dominate his opponent.
Achilles and Jack were sparring in the training room, both wearing boxing gloves and headgear. They started the fight by circling each other, trying to find an opening. Jack was throwing jabs and hooks, but Achilles was able to dodge most of them with his quick reflexes.
Achilles then decided to go on the offensive and threw a powerful hook towards Jack's head, but Jack saw it coming and managed to duck in time. Jack then threw a straight punch, which Achilles blocked with his forearm. Achilles countered with a quick jab, which landed on Jack's nose and caused him to stumble backward.
But Jack quickly regained his balance and retaliated with a flurry of punches that kept Achilles on the defensive. Achilles was able to dodge most of the punches, but a few still got through and landed on his arms and chest.
As the sparring session continues, Achilles begins to feel the strain of the intense training. His muscles ache, and his lungs burn from the exertion. But he refuses to give up, pushing himself to keep going. He knows that this is the only way to become a great boxer, to push past his limits and keep training even when it hurts.
The two boxers continued to exchange blows, neither gaining a clear advantage. Achilles was faster and more agile, but Jack had better technique and was able to throw more powerful punches. The fight went on for several minutes, with both boxers landing and receiving punches.
In the end, the fight was declared a draw. The coach congratulated both fighters for their efforts and pointed out areas where they could improve. Achilles and Jack shook hands, both exhausted but satisfied with their performance.
After the session ends, Achilles and his friends head to the locker room, exhausted but exhilarated. They shower and change, chatting about the session and making plans for their next training session. Achilles knows that he has a long way to go before he can become a great boxer, but he is determined to keep working hard and pushing himself to his limits.