LET ME TRY: Round 1

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The chime of a bell sounds from a cell phone. Three minutes later, another. Three more minutes, another. With each chime an hour workout that is perfectly timed by the chime of a bell that rings off from a small phone in the corner, each ring signaling the end of the round. 

This sound tells boxers to find a new partner to practice with, to move to the next set of gloves to land the perfect punch on.

While I practiced with Ball State’s Non-Competitive Boxing Club that was all I heard: the small ring of a bell mixed with the sound of glove hitting bag.

I’ll watch just about any sport.

When I can afford it, I plan to subscribe to every channel ESPN offers.

There are few sports that you won’t find on my television — boxing is one of them.

My relationship with boxing lasted the first 36 minutes of "Rocky" and those fancy jump rope routines that you told yourself could do in gym class but never actually tried.

I’m guilty of assuming that anyone could throw a punch on a bag. Of course, I would never want to fight anything that could hit me back, but clocking a 100-pound sand bag seemed easy enough.

I expected some sore muscles and a little sweat, but I never anticipated the workout I received practicing with Ball State’s Non-Competitive Boxing Club.

As I found out, boxing is more than landing a punch here or a jab there.

Fundamentals are key in boxing. Foot placement, hip movement and breathing are all techniques one needs to consider in the ring.

The various punch combinations are not an aspect of the sport the club's participants take lightly either. The first hour of practice is spent solely learning how to throw a proper right uppercut or how to land a left hook.

After only two practices with the club, I’ve gained an appreciation for the sport that I never would have by simply watching Floyd Mayweather fight on the couch.

Learning how detailed and skillful boxing is makes the whole concept of punching a bag that much more exciting.

Anyone can throw a punch, but how many can master the skill and endurance it takes to land the perfect 1-2-3-2 combo?

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