Louise Hazel: boxer or heptathlete?
The noble art of boxing helped British athlete Louise Hazel reach international standard as a heptathlete. spikesmag.com put on its head guard and gum shield to find out more…
How did you become involved in boxing?
LH: Boxing has always been a second passion of mine and I used it as training, although I never fought or sparred because I was heavily involved in athletics. I used boxing for fitness and conditioning when I was younger – it was an alternative version of training that gave me strength. It has always been a big part of my life from a young age.
Where did you use to train?
LH: The boxing club – March ABAC – moved into a disused chapel at the back of my house and I used to train there from the age of about 14. I absolutely love the sport and watching it as a spectator. I also have two brothers so you can imagine what life was like. The boxing coach at the club – Bernie Wing – was like a father figure. He watched me grow and develop through the years.
What was your earliest boxing memory?
LH: My auntie, Sandra Williams, was a bit of a fighter herself and she was into boxing, kick boxing and other martial arts. My earliest memories were watching her on video.
Why do you enjoy it so much?
LH: Boxing is very aggressive – I liked it because it was a good vent for frustration. I found it very dynamic and also very tactical. I liked the circuit work, too, because it was continuous and you didn’t realise you were working so hard by shadow boxing and working on the pads. You were getting extremely fit, but because you didn’t realise the amount of work you were doing it was really enjoyable.
In what specific ways did boxing help your athletics?
LH: Oh gosh, plenty. Obviously, it helped my base fitness in terms of the pad work, and the shorts bursts of exercise made me more powerful, more explosive. The nature of boxing meant you also learned good discipline and the importance of relaxed aggression – I can relate that to every event in the heptathlon. More specifically, the upper-body strength I built in the gym helped for the shot put. Boxing also developed my core strength because in boxing you need to able to take the blows to the stomach. If one element of your fitness isn’t strong then you’re going to suffer. This transfers across every single event in the heptathlon.
Have you ever been tempted to have a formal fight in the ring?
LH: I still think about it sometimes. Post-athletics, maybe. If I’m not past it in my 30s, who knows?
Do you still do any boxing training today?
LH: I went back home a couple of weeks ago and did circuit work. I’m quite keen to get back into circuits in a proper boxing gym. When I do my core conditioning work this winter, I might try and get to my local boxing club to take me through my strides. That would be brilliant. I’d really enjoy it.
Do you have a favourite boxer?
LH: Joe Calzaghe was very inspirational. He had a great attitude and he would always pull it out of the bag. I’m not really dazzled by the show boaters. I like to see someone who can pack a punch and also take one as well.
Have you ever met any boxers?
LH: I’ve never had the opportunity. The only one I have, quite frequently, is Dave Boy Green. He is from Chatteris [in Cambridgeshire] down the road from where I am. He fought Sugar Ray Leonard [for the world title] so is the closest thing to a local star we have.
A decision on whether women’s boxing will be in the 2012 Olympics is to be decided in August. Would you back the move?
LH: Oh yes. I could maybe double up [in athletics and boxing]. If it is I’d be more than happy to do a little bit of an interview. I’d be happy to come down with my boxing gloves on. I actually took my boyfriend out for a date at the England v Germany match last year. It was quite funny – I don’t think he expected a night out at the boxing, he was probably expecting a romantic evening in and here I was heckling the boxers the loudest of anyone.
Okay, which two heptathletes would you most like to see in the ring?
LH: Who would I have as the head-to-head? I’d probably say [Natlaya] Dobrynska [the Olympic heptathlon champion] would be good because she has got a very good shot put. But I reckon Kelly Sotherton would give her a run for her money because she is quite nimble on her feet. I’d love to see a head-to-head with those two.
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