Author: The Ring Team

“I believe that I was born for a purpose and destined to serve as an inspiration for the average Filipino and the rest of the world.”

Manny Pacquiao’s story is a real life rags to riches story which has inspired many people around the world. He began life in extreme poverty in the Philippines and is now one of the world’s most famous boxers.

Read on to find out how his childhood and tough upbringing set him on the path to boxing greatness:

A born fighter

Manny’s childhood was a difficult one. He grew up in General Santos province in the southern Philippines. He lived in a small shack, with one single-room which housed his mum, dad, older sister and two younger brothers.

His father sold coconuts to make enough money to feed the family and his mum sold peanuts to make a little extra money.  But often the family, “only [had] bananas and root crops to eat.”

As a young boy, he was bullied by others because his family was poor. And, one day, when his younger brother Bobby was being teased, Manny was there to defend him with a single left jab. It was this moment, which spurred him to start boxing – he knew he could use his boxing skills both as a way to survive the streets but also as a means to feed his family.

A year later in 1990, Manny watched James Douglas defeat Mike Tyson and this “changed his life forever.” Writing in his autobiography, that it was at that moment that “I knew without a doubt I would become a fighter…I knew that the underdog can, and often does, win.”

Journey to greatness

At the age of 12, Manny dropped out of school, moving to General Santos City to focus on his boxing. He had heard, “that when you fight, even when you lose,  you have money.” This meant that he could buy  enough food to feed his family, even if it was just rice.

By the age of 15, Manny had already made a name for himself in the southern Philippines. He dreamed of gaining more experience and of fighting professionally and stowed away on a boat to Manila.

In Manila, he trained as a boxer whilst also working as a labourer. Meija was Manny’s first boxing trainer and after training with him for six months, he saw all the self-discipline he had and all the hard work he put in and said to himself, “This boy is going to be a world champion.”

This drive to support his family pushed Manny to practice his skills all the time and, at the age of 16, he turned professional, starting his journey to boxing greatness.

Manny Pacquiao today

Pacquiao has won 12 major world titles and is the first boxer to win world titles in eight weight divisions as well as to win the lineal championship in five different weight divisions.

Today, Pacquiao is a hero in the Philippines who continues to help those who are poor and homeless in his home country. He has provided support to help build 1,000 homes for those in poverty and whenever he wins a fight, he provides thousands of people with food who line up for it.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, he also has teamed up with a billionaire to help provide the Philippines with about 50,000 test kits.

His journey to greatness continues, and as Pacquiao says, “I love this sport and until the passion is gone, I will continue to fight for God, my family, my fans and my country.”

Looking for a way to keep fighting fit and healthy whilst at home?

At The Ring, we believe that boxing is a great way to manage any stress or anxiety you might be feeling. This release of tension is what makes boxing the perfect workout during these uncertain times. And, with many of us unable to visit indoor gym locations since the start of the pandemic, boxing is the perfect sport to start at home.

Boxing is a sport which can be performed almost anywhere, be it working on your technique through shadowboxing or purchasing basic equipment such as boxing gloves and a bag to create a mini home gym for yourself.

Anyone can begin to learn boxing with a few simple tools and there’s so many incredible resources out there for you to learn how to master boxing at home.
Read on to find out how you can start boxing from the comfort of your own home:

No Equipment Needed
The beauty of boxing is that anyone can do a beginners boxing workout from home using just your bodyweight, no bags or gloves required.

You can learn the fundamentals of the sport by working on basic punches, combos and drills all whilst getting in a cardio and strength workout – which is beneficial for both your mind and body.

Training and practising boxing techniques without equipment or an opponent is known as shadow boxing. All you need is some space to move around, and, if you want, a mirror to keep an eye on your form.

Keep your practice up and you’ll be ready to return to our indoor classes as soon as we reopen.

TR @ HOME
If you’re just starting out on your boxing journey – we’ll show you  how to learn the different styles of punches, footwork and techniques you need.

Practising correct boxing form ensures you’re getting the most of your workout and engaging your entire body when throwing the punches.

You can learn tips and techniques from The Ring’s Professional Coaches right from your living room. From your stance and guard techniques to footwork and coordination, our tutorial videos will help you to learn the basic moves and even some advanced techniques to help you get started on your boxing journey at home.

Looking for some real time motivation? Join us for TR @ HOME for LIVE online boxing classes via Zoom helping you to perfect your form and technique while helping to keep you in shape:

• • Rumble @ Home
    • Technical, motivational and fun, our Boxing HIIT Classes are specially curated for all levels.
  • Sweet Science @ Home
    • Focuses on the technicalities, this class dives deeper into the noble art and sweet science of the sport.

Also, keep an eye on our IG page for some exciting home workouts to ensure you don’t miss out on your daily workout fix.

Track your progress
Whilst boxing from home, it’s a great idea to track your progress. It can keep you motivated and help you to see that you’re improving your skills over time.

Decide what you want to track, whether that’s your heart rate, calories, or maybe achieving one more push up per week. Use a wearable device such as an Apple Watch or a FitBit and see the needle move over time.

We understand that you might be feeling worried or anxious during these times, and that’s why there’s never been a better time to ‘glove up’ and start boxing…from home! Know that these times are making you stronger and unleash the fighter within by training boxing at home. We’re in this together.

If you have any questions about how to start your boxing journey from home, email us at info@thering.sg. We would love to hear from you.

Here at The Ring, we believe Boxing is for everyone, especially for kids! It is undeniable that kids will benefit from boxing physically, but the mental development gained from the sport, both in the short-term and the long-term is immeasurable.

Boxing is a sport which requires both physical and mental strength, helping kids to gain confidence, build discipline and improve their concentration and focus both inside and outside The Ring. Read on to find out how taking up boxing can improve your kids mental development:

• Mental Health

The World Health Organization recommends an hour of exercise every day for adolescents. The more time kids spend moving when they are younger can even lead to them having better mental health as they grow up. In a 2019 study by Xihe Zhu, an associate professor of human movement science at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., it was found that children who exercised were less likely to have mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.

• Gain Confidence

Boxing teaches kids to stay motivated and overcome challenges. As their boxing skills improve throughout their training, they will start to develop better self-esteem. Taking part in a sport such as boxing teaches kids that through hard work you can achieve anything. An invaluable skill that they will undoubtedly take with them through life.  Kimberly Lakes, associate professor of psychiatry and neuroscience in the School of Medicine at the University of California Riverside, states that martial arts can also help to build discipline and persistence when working towards goals.

• Develop Social Skills

Boxing teaches children to work together in a team-oriented environment and promotes healthy social development. At The Ring, we encourage children to work together and teach each other the techniques. Boxing classes require children to work with children of other ages and from different backgrounds. This allows them to grow together on their boxing journey whilst building essential social skills for later life. 

• Improve Concentration and Focus

Boxing teaches children to calm their mind and develop a sense of purpose as they work towards a goal. Through the repetition of training, children are able to develop sharper minds and this concentration and focus can aid in your kids development and can then be translated into the classroom and even improve the success of their school studies. A study from Janice Ngoc Phung from the California State University San Marcos found that MMA training in particular has been proven to improve working memory and cognitive flexibility in children. 

• Build Discipline

Ashleigh Johnstone, a PHD researcher in cognitive neuroscience at Bangor University, states that martial arts has been shown to improve ‘classroom conduct’ in children and that they are ‘generally better behaved.’ Boxing classes have a structure and children will learn that consistency is key if they want to improve in their classes. In addition, by working with a trainer, kids will learn to set goals and overcome challenges which strengthens their character. They will also learn to respect the rules of boxing and become more disciplined in a fun and encouraging environment. 

Exercising and being active is important at any age and it is beneficial to create this routine of exercising when children are young – this will improve their overall wellbeing and lead to them having lower levels of anxiety of depression throughout life.

There are a huge range of benefits of your children incorporating boxing into their routines and we welcome kids of all ages to The Ring! They can join us as U14 Holders and boost both their physical and mental development. Get started today – click here.

DISCLAIMER: These personal stories do not constitute medical advice. This piece contains descriptions of mental struggles and trauma including suicidal thoughts, that may be triggering for some readers.

If you, or someone you know, is experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please contact the Silver Ribbon hotline (+65 6386 1928).

The following post is a personal anecdote of Hannah from our Marketing and Members Relations Team.

I’m seated alone, on an armchair in an open area. My hands are bound, mouth sewn shut, eyes forced open and I’m on fire. It is dark and I am afraid. I am choked up and I cannot scream. Every nerve in my body is throbbing with pain and the voices in my head are all screaming at once, and yet I feel nothing.

My body trembles as these different emotions collide and I feel a need to inflict pain on myself. Without hesitation, I do exactly that. Since the age 13, I have used self-harm as a way of escape. With every slice, I went deeper… and deeper… until the physical pain drowned out the voices in my head. This was the only tool I had to take control of how I was feeling.

It has been a decade of dealing with the rollercoaster of emotions that come with these thoughts. At their mildest, I brush them aside. At their worst, I regularly contemplate suicide. As I have gotten older, some of my coping mechanisms have evolved into head twitches or punches to my arm. Believe it or not, my mental state is in a much better place than it was years ago. Look out for Part II of my story as I share more of my journey to better mental wellness.



Mental health should be taken care of as urgently as physical health. No matter the severity of something physical, it’s very common for people to say, “You should see a Dr about that.” How come we aren’t as supportive of each other when it comes to mental wellness?

On my quest to find healthier ways to deal with my mental wellness I found an outlet where I was able to release the knotted emotions within; exercise! I always felt a sense of accomplishment when I would nail a certain technique, when my chest would touch the floor doing a push-up or even a quick roller-skate to the store. In those moments my mind is occupied with the present moment and celebrating small wins that my inner voices are muffled.

Scientific studies have found that physical exercise, while commonly associated with the desire to lose weight, look great and stay fit, also has strong psychological benefits. The potency of physical fitness has been proven to ease depressive episodes.

Endorphins, or as I like to call them, ‘feel-good chemicals’, are produced by the brain and spinal cord while exercising. Whenever I exercise, a type of high flows through my body as I am filled with a sense of euphoria, relaxation, and optimism.

Boxing is a sport that constantly requires the participants to engage both physically and mentally. It’s not called “the sweet science” for nothing! Through boxing, I am challenged to stay in the present moment, which silences my inner voices and helps me perform at my best. I have developed healthier habits because I have had to accommodate being physically and mentally present. Also, it is truly cathartic and therapeutic when hitting the bag.

Words of advice to my younger self:

1. You are not alone, seek help for mental wellness in the same way you would seek help for physical wellness.
2. Regular exercise helps regulate naturally produced chemicals in your body and brain so exercise is good for your head and your heart!
3. You are enough and you are worthy just the way you are.

The Ring, your boxing gym Singapore, is dedicated to normalising mental wellness and encourages will be your pillars of support. We’re always in your corner, never forget.

In boxing, a large component of the training focuses on building your offensive skills and knowing how to land those punches and counter punches is key. However, developing your defense is just as important if you’re looking to win that fight – it’s often been said that the best defense in boxing is to not get hit in the first place.

Many of the greatest boxers, such as Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Muhammad Ali, have demonstrated just how important a great defense within your boxing repertoire can be and have achieved legendary status by honing their defensive skills.

Read on to find out five defensive techniques which should be an essential component in every boxer’s training:

GUARDING

Your fists, when not throwing punches, should always be up and guarding your face. This basic defense move allows the fists and arm to guard against jabs as well as uppercuts to the chin.

BOBBING AND WEAVING

By bobbing and weaving your head as you move around the ring, you will make it more difficult for your opponent to find the right timing to launch an attack at you. This is a popular defense move as you will remain a constant moving target and be much harder to hit. This move allows you to avoid your opponent’s punch at the same time as allowing you to emerge on their other side.

Make bobbing and weaving drills an integral part of your training sessions. The more you practice the easier the movement will come to you, making you a target which is much more difficult to hit.

SLIPPING

Slipping is a reactionary defensive tactic and involves the boxer turning away from the incoming punch – this move requires you to anticipate your opponent’s punch before it happens. Once anticipated, you can choose to slip to your right or to your left in order to miss your opponent’s punch. After slipping, you may even have the opportunity to land a counter strike on your opponent.

Successful slipping allows a boxer to both avoid lethal punches to the head and also to prepare for hooks or uppercuts.

PARRYING

Parrying involves you deflecting a punch from your opponent with your hands and is a move that allows you to use your opponent’s momentum against him. This technique gives you the ability to defend against stronger punches as you redirect the motion and trajectory of the punch, and this causes your opponent to miss. For a short time after a successful parry, your opponent is then left wide open and vulnerable. A successful parrying could even end up with your opponent being knocked out.

This defensive technique is definitely harder than it looks and requires a great deal of skill, fast reflexes as well as fast reactive times.

FOOTWORK

Good footwork is important in the sport of boxing – it allows you both to move towards your opponent to make an attack but also allows you to get away and defend yourself when your opponent attempts to hit you.

Boxing is a dynamic sport and it is important to work on your footwork so that you are able to get away from your opponent’s attack as fluidly as possible – you can do this by constantly changing direction, moving while punching and incorporating side to side lateral motions. The best way to improve your footwork is through working drills and focusing on the movements required to help you move quickly around the ring.

Here at The Ring, your Boxing Gym in Singapore, we’re here to help you develop both your offensive and defensive techniques, to make you into an all-round fighter. Book your class and join us today!

Many boxers have stepped in and out of the ring throughout the years, however there are a select few who stick in our minds – fighters who changed the way we think about boxing and who inspire our own boxing styles and way of fighting.

Today, we want to take a moment to appreciate the boxing styles of some of our favourite fighters – true legends to the sport. Read on to learn more about the boxing styles of our top five fighters, Ali, Lomachenko, Pacquiao, Mayweather and De La Hoya:

Photo credits: Google

MUHAMMAD ALI

Muhammad Ali, the Greatest, was a heavyweight boxer known for his prowess inside the boxing ring as well as his charisma outside of it. Many boxers today have been inspired by his unique style of boxing which included the Ali Shuffle, the Dancing Jab and the Right Cross. 

In the ring, Ali used movement and footwork, dancing circles around his opponents, working to expose openings which he could take advantage of. We’ve all heard the phrase, “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee,” – Ali did just that. He was light on his feet and danced around in the ring in a way that wasn’t often seen in the heavyweight division at the time. He would also throw obvious punches early on during the fight, allowing him to play with the mind of his opponent. This element of unpredictability in his movement and style is what many boxers try to emulate during their own fights. 

Photo credits: Google

VASYL LOMACHENKO

Lomachenko is a master at working around his opponent’s space with ease, combining fight intelligence with impeccable footwork, he knows when to shuffle forward, when to retreat and when to move side to side. 

In fact, it was his father who taught him how to box from a young age, but not until he completed traditional Ukrainian dance lessons. The focus on footwork during his dance lessons became instilled in him and came in handy during boxing training, feet always before fists being his motto.  “All the power, all the coordination, all my victories – everything comes out of my footwork,” states Lomachenko.  It is this footwork, which has given him the nickname “The Matrix,” as you’ll find him darting around the ring, agile and explosive but never off-balance. It’s as if he’s teleporting around his opponent.

Photo credits: Google

MANNY PACQUIAO 

Filipino boxer, Manny Pacquiao, first came into the boxing scene in 2001, when he fought reigning IBF Super bantamweight champion Lehlohonolo Ledwaba and beat him in 6 rounds. It was Freddie Roach who then began to work with Pacquiao and harnessed his raw talent, making him one of the top fighters in the world. 

His most noticeable boxing prowess comes from his footwork and foot speed. Being fast on his feet he is able to quickly distance himself from his opponent and return safely out of range in between bursts.

Once within range of his opponent, Pacquiao has a lot of punching power. His speed, punching power and stamina to put punches together in large numbers is what makes him stand above the rest. 

It’s not unusual to see him reel off six, seven or even eight punch combinations when he fights and these power punching combinations, together with his footwork, are what has made Pacquiao so effective as a fighter. 

Photo credits: Google

FLOYD MAYWEATHER

Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. is best known for his impregnable defense. If you believe that the art of boxing is about hitting whilst not getting hit – Mayweather embodies this phrase. 

His shoulder-roll defense is one part of why his style is so effective defensively, this combined with the speed and accuracy with which he fights has given him legendary status within the boxing world.

Mayweather positions himself side-on and his stance give his opponents very little to aim for. In addition to his defensive boxing stance, Mayweather has fast reflexes as well as a strong boxing IQ – enabling him to know when he should be dodging punches and when he should be swinging punches.

Photo credits: Google

OSCAR DE LA HOYA

During his career, Olympic gold medalist Oscar De La Hoya fought his opponents strategically and also with KO power. De La Hoya is a complete fighter who is technically proficient, intelligent in dissecting his opponents and has power in his punches – a throwback to the fighters of boxing’s golden age. 

But, did you know that he was born a southpaw but fought in an orthodox stance? His lead left hook was devastating and his combination of speed and power matches up with any of the great boxers out there. He even revealed that it was his left jab that he used to finish his opponents during his fighting days.  

Who inspires your boxing style? Come visit us at The Ring, experience Boxing Singapore and show us how you fight!