15 Weeks to Fight Week: WBC Cares UK Sets the Standard
Fifteen weeks out from Midnight Mayhem, WBC Cares UK laid down the standard for fight camp: two 5k runs a week, a skipping rope, honesty and sacrifice.
On Saturday 3 October, with Midnight Mayhem fifteen weeks away, Matt from WBC Cares UK posted what he called “a Saturday morning lecture” in the fighters’ group. It’s worth reading in full, because it sums up what it takes to get from the office to the ring.
“You have committed to this. Now we need to turn that commitment into consistent action and make these next 15 weeks count.”
Sacrifice
Every fighter has a job, and most have families. Matt was honest about what that means: planning training and protecting the time. “Evenings and weekends will look different. Free time will need to become training time.” The reward? “Getting into that ring, fighting for something you believe in and supporting a community or cause can be something you remember for the rest of your life. We want you to stand there afterwards and proudly say, ‘I did that!’”
“The training you put in will show. The sessions you repeatedly miss, the work you avoid and the training you tell us you have done when you haven’t will also show.”
The first two tasks
- Two 5k runs every week, logged on Strava in the group so the coaches can see them. Struggling with the distance? Say so, and they’ll help you build towards it. “Running isn’t just about getting physically fit, it is the mental benefit too.”
- Get a skipping rope. Can’t skip yet? That’s fine: it’s a skill, and it improves with practice. WBC Cares UK will even send you one. No excuses.
Matt followed up with a video on how to set a rope to the right length.
The pink rope
Becky Johnson-Kent took the skipping task very seriously. Within half an hour she had “gone down a boujee boxing rabbit hole I didn’t know existed” and ordered a rope because it came in bright pink. “Whatever keeps you training, right?!” Matt’s warning came too late: “Be careful, as boxing can have you doing this in all your kit. Please talk to us before you do so we can help you save money too.” Becky: “It may be too late for that.” When it arrived, she was delighted, and Fero Abarghooie admitted she’d been inspired to buy a hot pink one too.
Not all kit goes to plan. After the Lisbon sessions, Line Peteri discovered that her WBC Cares gloves were both right-handed. “I know I’m new to boxing, but…” Rosa Kolkka saw the upside: “This would be the perfect ‘never let them know your next move’.”
Ask, and speak up
The last part of the message may be the most important. Ask questions, take ownership of your training, and tell the coaches when things are tough.
“If you are struggling with training, feeling overwhelmed, carrying an injury or feeling out of your depth, speak to the WBC Cares team early. There is no shame in needing support.”
Safety first, always
That duty of care runs all the way to fight night. Every fighter gets a full medical on the night from a registered doctor with more than a decade in boxing, and paramedics are on site. In the weeks before, the WBC Cares UK team keeps checking in on training, sparring, injuries and niggles. As Lee told the fighters: “We’re not going in there to chase knockouts or hurt anyone. Your safety comes first, and learning to look after yourselves and each other starts in training.”
Matt’s sign-off says it all: “You made the commitment to do this. Now let’s put the work behind it.” Meet the fighters putting the work in.
