Among the Not So Great

Boxing

He (Birenda) shows you the basic stance, the straight left and a bit of footwork. He says: “Keep your hands up, head down and use your left — if your left reaches its mark, your right is sure to land.” Then for two rounds — two long minutes — you keep chasing him round the ring. He ducks, guards or slips your blows with minimum effort. He jabs you sharply if you don’t go for him or your guard is down. You are panting by the end of round 2. Come round 3 — the roles are reversed. He is chasing you all over the ring. Sharp taps on any exposed parts (nose, chin, stomach) rain down on you accompanied by his exhortations: “Hat tol, matha nama, amay dekh”, etc. (Lift your hands, keep your head down, look at me, i.e. — see where the blow is coming from). All this when your gloves seem to weigh 10 kg each and you can’t gulp in enough air. All you want to do is get out of the ring. The last minute seems an eternity. You come back for the next lesson or not? You have to pass your own muster — lily-livered or lion-hearted, one with common sense to avoid the avoidable or brash, brave enough to come back for more?