We all have interesting activities we enjoy and unusual places we travel. In Montrosians on the Move, we want to highlight Montrosians who have shared their outside of school interests with the Looking Glass.

    Unbeknownst to many, junior Jamie Monleon enjoys boxing at her local gym along with her dad who boxes for a charity called “Haymakers for Ho.” Jamie’s dad began boxing for this charity several months ago. Jamie explained more about the organization, “ It’s an organizations in gyms in the Boston area. Three to four people can sign up per gym.” She added, “you are assigned to a person from another gym with a similar age and weight range. You have to train for four months. Then you represent your gym and fight three rounds with the other person at the House of Blues.”

The cost of tickets goes to cancer support and research. However, the charity is only for adults (ages 30+). While Jamie’s dad boxes for charity, Jamie has been boxing for the fun of it at her local gym since last August. “I was really interested…I’ve been going in since the end of summer twice a week,” she said.

“The workouts can be very intense,” Jamie acknowledged. To be part of the charity or part of more serious boxing competitions, you have to “train five days a week without skipping a day to be ready for competition.” The exercises are similar to a crossfit routine. Boxers do situps, pushups, and aerobic exercises like running. She also explained a drill called shadow boxing. “It sounds weird, but you stand in front of a mirror and practice boxing, usually for a warmup. It helps with technique.” Contrary to popular assumptions, Monleon revealed that “punching bags are not a real exercise.” They are only useful “ for hand-eye coordination,” she added. To think that all those boxers in the movies have got it wrong.

Boxing can also be rather dangerous, but Monleon explained the protective measures boxers go through before a match or spar, called a boxing scrimmage. You have to “wrap your hands to protect your fingers and wear a mouthguard,” Jamie clarified. You also “wear head gear made of soft padding to protect your head and neck.”

Jamie encouraged other girls to get involved. Even though students cannot participate in the charity, boxing is a great way to get some exercise. She recommended seeing if your gym has boxing and going, “for a free trial [of] an hour workout.” Sounds like an ideal stress-release too!