Walking into a boxing gym stimulates every sense in the human body. You can smell the sweat, you can see the fighters working tirelessly, you can feel the impact of the punches, but for me, nothing beats the sounds of the boxing world. The rhythm of the impacts hitting the pads, the chains suspending the heavy bags shaking with every hook, the pitter patter of feet cutting angles and the sharp exhales coming from the athletes hold a charm unlike anything that I’ve ever experienced. As a lifelong musician rhythm has been sewed into my soul for as long as I can remember. Every morning before school, I would eat breakfast at my kitchen table and would be subconsciously tapping my fingers along to whatever beat was going through my head. Like clockwork, my mother would shout from the other room, “Stop that tapping!”. School was no different. I was a decent student but simply couldn’t help myself from tapping along to my internal rhythm; much to the chagrin of my teachers and classmates.
When I first started boxing, I struggled to understand what my coaches meant when they told me to get into a rhythm. I was awkward and it took me a couple of years to understand how to coordinate my feet with my punches, how to move my head after combinations and circle out. Although it took some time to get me to move like a boxer, I was instantly enamored with the sounds I could make with my fists. I loved playing around with different combinations, hearing the “tap tap BANG” of a one-one-two; experimenting with placing emphasis on different strikes throughout my combinations. When hitting pads, I could feel when I landed flush with my index and middle knuckle on the target, but the auditory sensation overcame the feeling of it. Landing in the right spot with the correct velocity sounded like gunshots echoing through the walls of the gym.
The more time spent training, the more I realized how much fighters and musicians have in common. Many of my training partners and coaches are current or former musicians. I was surprised at the in-depth musical conversations that we’ve had between rounds. Frequently my coaches will make a series of noises in a certain rhythm and I’ll instantly know what they’re asking of me. Coach Jon will say “bababap” and throw a jab at me; without thinking I know to parry his jab and throw my one-two over the top. The punches mimic the exact noise he made, “bababap”.
Sometimes during a rest round, I’ll listen to my training partners sparring. There’s a musical language to fighting, much like improvisational jazz. Each fighter feeds off the movement of one another; breaking their rhythm and changing the beat of the dance to throw off their opponent. If you listen carefully, you may be able to hear the breathing of certain fighters. Some boxers try to time their shots in between their opponents steps and breath to catch them out of position or when they’re taking in air.
During the beginnings of the COVID-19 pandemic, the UFC began to put on shows without a crowd. Although many people complained, I found that I preferred viewing the fights without the crowd. It highlighted the rhythmic, conversational nature of combat. You could hear the punches land, you could feel the fighters exhale, and gain more insight into the advice being yelled from each fighters corner.
Many of the fighters that I’ve come across are fascinated by music or actively involved. Many play instruments or just enjoy going to see bands play live. Most musicians don’t need to worry about being punched in the face on stage, however there’s a lot of mental crossover between performing on stage musically and fighting in front of people. Conquering the fear of failure is a common ground the musicians and fighters both need to overcome. Sometimes fighting is beautiful and fluid; almost as if both fighters are collaborating on a melody. Other times combat can be choppy and ugly; highlighting the disharmony between two athletes movements. Music and movement have always been tethered through dance, however fighting also frequently mirrors musicality. Next time you’re tuning in to a combat sport, try to pick up on the different rhythms and listen to the song being written before your eyes.
Want to channel your inner rhythm through the sweet science of boxing? Come check out the best boxing classes in the Hudson Valley at Precision Boxing and MMA! Give us a call at (845)392-8495 or click HERE!
About the Author
Oliver Swanson is a lifelong musician and Hudson Valley Resident. He is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and coaches boxing classes throughout the week at Precision Boxing and MMA in Poughkeepsie.
