Sparring yesterday kicked ass. We went the hardest I've experienced at this gym. Ate some big right hands that made everything ring for a second, but gave a lot in return. Still, did a much better job of actually blocking instead of frantically trying to parry everything as a reaction when under fire. Again, need to bob and weave more to make less hits land on me, but consistent blocking is an improvement.

Cornerman said after the first round that I looked "very good" with "nice footwork" and that I'm moving around well. Advised me to throw more rights to the body.

Round 3 is where I really opened up. Lots of right crosses slipped over his left hand and landed, and I dug in some hard body crosses and hooks. Left hook also kept landing. Felt like his cardio started to fade near the end as it became just me throwing and backing him up.

No headgear issues this time. Got it plenty tight and it stayed that way. Made such a big difference not having to constantly adjust it during the action.

Afterwards, I got told by someone watching that I was a one-armed fighter the first round, mostly throwing jabs, but I improved a lot in the second and third. He happens to be the uncle of my former Muay Thai coach, so that's cool. My sparring partner also came up to me and proudly showed me his bloody gums.

It was also the 1-year anniversary of Dad passing. I remembered how he would always say "How was the boxing?" when I'd get home.