A week or so ago I was involved in a rhetorical (have you ever noticed that "rhetorical", along with "vis-a-vis", are some of my favorite words?) melee with Abner. Got real upset with him, signed off in a huff. And now as I'm absent-mindedly clicking on profiles when I really should be working, what do I find out but that Abner is a Fourth Degree Black Belt! And all I am is a has-been (never was?) ex-collegiate boxer who can't even lick my wife (no double entendre intended--she's taller than me and pretty strong to boot). Sorry, Abner, for the past. Allow me to say that your posts are among the most brilliant and insightful I've yet read, a true renaissance man, you are. And please, don't kick my butt.
In spite of my short-lived career as a mediocre boxer/punching bag, I can assure you that I'm not a masochist. Were Abner to approach me one day with black belt flapping menacingly in the wind, I would likely soil myself. It's my only defense. By the way, are you all as excited as me that the Backstreet Boys are making a comeback? My eleven-year-old niece is all aflutter, she's going to one of their concerts. I tell you, my heart beats like a giddy schoolgirl at the thought of those megatalents gracing the stage again!
was?) ex-collegiate boxer who can't even lick my wife (no double entendre intended--she's taller than me and pretty strong to boot). Sorry, Abner, for the past. Allow me to say that your posts are among the most brilliant and insightful I've yet read, a true renaissance man, you are. And please, don't kick my butt. [/B][/QUOTE] He he he! Let me tell you something, I have known some amateur boxers who could kick some serious butt. Boxers make real nervous, as it should be. Let me digress a little. At the age of five my parents would go over the the Castillo family house for a barbeque type party. Some of the greatest entertainment was at the expense of me and my older brother (10) against the Castillo boys. Let me tell you, when I strapped on those gloves, it was like I was possessed! My little fists would start flying, and some of the Castillo boys would go down. Of course, that is not to say I did not take some serious licks myself! Anyway, At the age of 10, when I started formal Martial Arts training. I realized the value of integrating boxing with martial arts. Of crouse, as you know, Technically the art of pugilism is a martial art. A boxers punch is superior in power to a traditional martial arts thrust punch. I do not mean to offend any traditionalist out there. I only speak the truth. I also subscribed to the ways of Bruce lee. He created quite a stir because he advocated mixing various styles of fighting, in other words, no art is supreme. At 15, I tried to explain my pensaments to an instructor (not mine) at a very traditional school, and he quickly showed me the door because I dared suggest a good boxer could take a poorly trained Black Belt. Anyway, Little Fauss, I don't think my posts are brilliant, they are merely humble opinions. The three most important virtues I live by are Respect, Reverance, and Humility. These virtues are very hard to live by at all times, but I try. I admire your steadfast and passionate defense of you opinions. One should never abandon his/her beliefs. In parting, let me say you can never really be a "has been" boxer. If they right situation came about, you would take care of business. Trust me on this. Take care, Abner
He he he! He he he! Bruce Lee was once asked "Do you have a Black Belt?" He replied, yes, you see, it is holding up my Jeans! Abner
Re: Re: Please Don't Kick My Butt, Abner! I'll try to live up to that, Abner. If my family ever needed help, if there was ever a scoundrel trying to mug a family member, I'd hope some of the hours of sweating and hitting that heavy old bag or whoever happened to be standing across from me 20 years ago would pay off. But you need to know that I was at best a middle-of-the-pack average to below average amateur boxer guy. Most Golden Gloves guys, for example, quite a few of whom are typically pro prospects, were far beyond the collegiate skill level. About all I can say about my boxing skills was that I learned to do something more effective than windmilling or the nonsense you see most of those bums do in those tough guy competitions or whatever they call them. But as for fighting someone with real training, who's six pack hasn't turned to a soft gelatinous mass (as has mine), who can swing around and kick me in the back of my head while also punching me in the front, who possesses four freaking degrees of black belt, I feel more comfortable with the soiling myself defense. Not that I'd have a choice in the matter. Anyway, you're a good egg, Abner.
