Fight Week blog by Benly Xamonty

Benly Xamonty

Fight Week blog by Benly Xamonty

The week leading up to a fight is a time I use for mental preparation and polishing up every aspect of my game. On June 11th, we start to focus more on mitts, pads and game planning. This past week was probably one of the toughest weeks throughout the entire fight camp. It consisted of us sparring throughout the whole week going as hard as we can to mimic the war I will have on Saturday. Each day I leave the gym tired and bruised but I feel great. I don’t think there has been one disappointing day where I’ve left the gym and felt like I should have done more. I feel confident with the things that I have picked up and learned throughout this camp. My cardio and conditioning is on point. All I can really do now is just get my mind right and block out any distractions and negativity.

The last week leading up to the fight is all about staying focused. I meditate every night before going to bed, thinking about all possible outcomes. How the outcome will affect my life and then it makes me start to think of why I started fighting in the first place. A part of me did it for the fun and excitement, to test my heart and ability, to prove that I can make something of myself, regardless of who cared or came to watch. I just wanted to fight. But after getting a good win streak going I built a little fan base and realized people care about how I do and push me to stay on top of my game. With that pressure and kind of responsibility, I strive to become better. Not just for myself or the fans, but for my family as well. All these thoughts and emotions are just a molding process to who I am and will become once I step into the cage. I’ll become a fighter who is motivated, determined, thirsty for blood, wanting a war and hungry for the win.

Staying mentally focused also helps a lot with the weight cut. The day of weigh-ins is the most grueling and hardest part about the whole fight game in my opinion. It takes hours of blood, sweat, and tears to get my body to work with me. So, eating and dieting correctly is very important to make for an easy cut. Once I get my weight down it’s off to meet my opponent who I am very excited to meet. I was always taught to respect my opponents no matter how they present themselves. To be honest, the only thing I’ll be disrespecting that night is THE FOOD I GET TO SMASH ON AFTERWARDS! I’m not going to lie. I hate dieting because I love to eat. But it’s a must and I know what I have to do to achieve and accomplish my goals. Consider it adding more fuel to the tank. After weigh-ins I gather up with close friends for a good meal and they help get my mind off the fight until the day of.

The day of the fight I still have my mind elsewhere. Joking around with friends and getting another meal in before heading to Hy-Vee Hall because once I step foot inside the building and see the cage. I start getting more into the zone. I stay inside the locker room area, refusing to see any friends or family, until after the fight is over. People have high expectations of me and there is always that hype that I don’t allow myself to pay much attention to. My job is to remain focused, remember the game plan, and to fight my heart out. I warm up with my cornermen with mitts and pads. I put on my headphones to slow my adrenaline until my name is announced and my presence is requested. I let everything go including myself and let somebody else take over. It’s always a mental battle before a physical war.

How the fight will go? I don’t know. I just know that I did all I can to prepare myself and I’ll be expecting my first opponent to give me all he’s got. I’m just happy, anxious, and excited to fight again. Who I expect to face afterwards? I never plan too far ahead. Will Shutt is my opponent. I haven’t looked passed him. I learned from my past experience to never underestimate anybody. Every dog has his day. We’ve all trained hard expecting to have 2 fights that night. I’m sure everyone is bringing there A game. I’m ready. They’re ready. The fans are awaiting a new featherweight champion. Good luck to all the other fighters fighting this Saturday, June 16th. Let’s do this and end the night with a BANG!

- Benly Xamonty