Blog 3 - My Experience by Richard Keith

I started boxing at the age of 9 after trying various other sports such as Kick Boxing, Judo, Karate but I just couldn’t get in to them. When I went down to Arbroath ABC and had my first training session there, where at the time it was the late Dave & Doug Ford along with Dave Strachan running the club. I just felt comfortable and knew I wanted to go back to training. I continued to attend training and work hard knowing that at the age of 12 I could compete.

Well my first bout actually came at the age of 11, it was at our home show at the Meadowbank Inn Arbroath and I was to compete against James Forsyth, also an Arbroath Boxer, I think we were to make up the numbers. I remember being so up for this and so nervous before entering the ring to be fair the nerves were there before all of my 65 bouts, from the first bell to the last it was all guns blazing, we were like two windmills going all out, none of the training techniques were put to use, we both wanted to win in front of our home crowd, well I never got the decision but I went away more determined to improve and take home a win from my next bout, which I never, I never got that first win till bout 5, and what a feeling it was to get your hand raised at the end of the bout. This only spurred me on to train harder and make sure the wins kept coming, and this only helped as I progressed through the ranks, Midlands champion, Scottish Finalist, Boxing for Scotland at home and in Ireland.

As I moved up through the years and weights things got a lot tougher but the hard work in training paid off as I was winning against some older and stronger opponents with greater natural strength. All the sparring and listening to my coaches was paying off as I was able to outbox and keep out of trouble picking off opponents without getting caught and hurt.

A couple of my most memorable wins would have to be when I was on as one of the main bouts in front of my home crowd in Arbroath, these nights were amazing, the atmosphere was electric but once you step through the ropes the noise all becomes a blur, you are focused, adrenaline pumping and ready to deliver, well this night was Arbroath ABC against the Marine Boxing Team. I was in with Marine Metherhall where I won with a unanimous points victory but this contest was a tough one, we both wanted the win so bad and I knew I had to keep him away as he was older and had greater natural strength, I managed to keep him away (most the time) by using my jab and my powerful straight lefts. I could only eat soup for a week or so after it!!

One more of my memorable wins was at the salutation hotel in Perth, Midland Select against Ballymena Select, again this was a hard fought bout against a tough Irish district champion, my fitness was the best it had been and I boxed one of the best bouts I ever had, the poor Irish lad hardly laid a glove on me and I won by a large margin and also picked up the best Scottish Boxer Trophy. All my bouts are memorable in their own way, win or lose you always learn so much more each time you step through the ropes.

I had a great time competing and endured 65 competitive bouts with some exhibitions on top and not once have I ever regretted being in Boxing. Boxing isn’t for everyone some will enjoy the training and sparring and feel that they want to step in the ring to compete, but when it comes to the actual competitive bout they may decide it is not for them and decide to stick to training only. Boxing is a great way to keep fit, probably one of the hardest training you will get. If you do want to compete you have to be dedicated and put in the hard work both inside the gym and away from it.

I stopped competing early 20s due to moving to the Middle East for work and never kept it up. When I came back I would always try to get down to the Arbroath Club when I could to train & help with training and have always had a love for the sport and now I have the opportunity to pass on knowledge and first-hand experience to those who come through the doors whether they just want to get fit or compete. So if you are thinking about giving it a go then do as you will regret it if you don’t, whether it is to get fit or compete you will not get any harder training than Boxing. Everyone you meet within the sport will always look out for you and become like an extended family. The hardest part is stepping out your comfort zone and into the gym!!

Best Scottish Boxer Award, Richard Keith, 1997