Just woke up...couldn't sleep all last night. Too many thoughts going through my mind. I stayed up watching tapes of how Clifton boxes...his movement, footwork and his style. Also, watched UFC 92...great night of fight there too bad the fighters I was cheering for all lost. But that doesn't kill my determination to win. The hotel service is pretty sick...5 star treatment baby!!! I'm eating breakfast in my bed in my hotel room with this pretty hawt waitress serving me ;)...She's like, "I'm from South Beach, but I'll be rooting for ya champ...don't suck!" I laughed and invited her to the after party after the match...and she's like "the whole city is gonna be there pretty much, its the party that everyone's been talking about for the past week or 2." Damn that gave me added pressure...it's gonna suck if I lose in an embarrassing fashion to him and go to the after party after wards with like everyone there laughing at my loss. Before she was done serving me breakfast, she asked for my autograph and a picture with me. I'm nervous as hell...getting goose bumps and butterflies in my stomach already while I was giving her my autograph my hands were shaking dramatically and it took three attempts to sign my name properly...but that's good because last time when I didn't feel nervous I got my ass whooped.
What motivates me to go on despite immeasurable fatigue, pain and injury? Standing alone, almost naked and facing an opponent bent on knocking me out is a very unnerving experience. A fighter needs to forge himself in a crucible of focus, discipline and hard work. Each day pushing himself to do more and be more than he was the day before. It starts in the gym, doing one more round of sparring, attacking the bag with ferocity and determination, getting out and training in the cold, wet, uncomfortable conditions that all of us must face if we are committed to winning. Staying disciplined with preparation and making oneself impervious to pain and resistant to fatigue through training, training and more training. I’ve asked myself how bad I want to win and be prepared to do what it takes to achieve victory. I must know deep down in my soul that I’ll be victorious at all costs. Boxing is a brutal business, and I’ll be hurt in the ring at some point or another. Is it this fight that I’ll come out badly hurt or get in a concussion? The hidden key to boxing is knowing that truth, accepting it and being prepared to fight through that hurt when the time comes. “Don’t wait until you get your bell rung in the ring, get to work today preparing yourself to deal with and overcome adversity.” my coach always said.
Now its time to get down to business. Gotta go meet up with my coach and trainers to do last minute tune-ups and get warmed up. Everyone here knows Clifton...everyone's seen Clifton but no one knows Kelton...they'll be surprised at how good I really am...Clifton has his time...now its my time...Destiny awaits in just a few hours...