Sorry I've not been and updated in a while, the lead up to the fight and final organising was crazy!
I had lots of new updates to make to the Models Fight Night website, press articles to sort out, filming to organise for the dvd extra's and planning what they were going to do for the night and also Rubie Planson and Tara McDonald were performing so need to sort that out too on top of training. Then, the unthinkable happened! While I was training, only 1 week before the fight, I damaged my Rotator Cuff on my left shoulder.
At first, I didn't think anything of it, I'd never even heard of a rotator cuff before then lol. The pain was awful and everytime I tried to straighten my left arm out in front of me, or bend the elbow (like when you punch using a hook) I was in agony. I was advised to put ice on and then next day I got some anti inflammatory's from my doctor.
I began physio on the Sat and then realised what I'd done. Rob, my physio said if it was a professional fight I wouldn't be allowed to fight because I was at a massive unfair disadvantage! Not only was I fighting someone who was 10kg heavier and a 2'' longer reach but now I couldn't use my best weapon, my jab! I was so depressed.
I couldn't do any training but had to try to move my arm so the muscle didn't seize up. The last group training session I went to but couldn't do anything and had to practice a Southpaw stance in case I needed to switch during the fight if I was in too much pain.
There was no way I wasn't fighting, no matter how much it hurt. I hadn't worked on this idea for over a Year, trained for 9 Months and not worked for the last 3 Months to train solid to miss out. Even if it meant the odds were stacked against me winning, I wasn't going to loose.
I am a big believe in visualisation, and I keep imagining the fight, seeing me winning over and over.
In the week leading up to the fight, I was surprised I still wasn't nervous. I put it down to being distracted by organising peoples tickets and where my guests were sitting and final things for the fight night like sorting out the girls tops and getting my boots to fight in.
On the day of the fight, I woke up feeling like it was Christmas! I know! weird, all the girls were texting me about how nervous they were but I felt so excited. I'd waiting for this night since I decided to do it and now it was finally here and I couldn't wait!
My friends started to arrive and couldn't believe how calm I was. Although in the back of my mind, was my injury. I keep visualising it being ok and ignored the pain.
I arrived at The Troxy, sorted the Ring Girls outfits out. They looked wicked and all burlesque in Red and Blue basques. Then organised the promo girls and told them what they needed to do. After that I spoke to Tara and Rubie and gave them everything they needed and went and got changed!
The atmosphere was great and the place was busy with people sitting down to eat the fantastic dinner at their tables.
The first auction took place and the items were amazing! I wanted to bid myself at some points!
Then, the first fight kicked off. My heart was racing with excitement! I was fighting last and couldn't wait. I snacked on protein bars and drank 2ls of water to prepare my body and muscles.
At the interval I went upstairs and had my medical done. My heart rate was a bit fast because I was so excited and had been running round the place saying hello to everyone. I decided to just go and chill out and visualise the fight. While the other girls were warming up, doing pad work, I decided to save my energy and my shoulder in case it went during the fight. I was supposed to have a different head guard because one was too big and the other too clumpy and restrictive on your view but was told a few hours before it hadn't been gotten for me! I resigned myself to have to wear a head guard which wasn't right for me. Nightmare! I didn't visualise that lol!
Before long it was my turn :) Hannah and I decided as our fight was last we would make a bit of a show with our entrance! I have to say it was the best feeling in the World!!! I just wanted to fight, I was so pumped up but my mind was as calm as an ocean. I felt relaxed. I got into the ring and thought to myself, control, breathing and relax.
To know what happened in the fight you will need to get the DVD but what I will say is my shoulder was killing me throughout the fight with every jab, but I had to keep going. There was no way I was loosing. And it paid off
I won :) I felt it was easy and could have easily boxed on. I kept my cool, kept breathing and breezed it.
Steve Collins then announced Hannah and I had won best fight of the night! I couldn't believe it, I was so happy! I felt like I'd won the lottery! The feeling I had that night I can't put into words. Winning my fight then winning best fight. Mint!
I loved the night so much, the crowd were going wild through all the fights and everyone was loving it!
Thank you to Gary for training us so well! and also co organising the event. Thank you to all the girls for training so hard and putting all the effort into. Thanks to everyone who came to support me and the other girls. We couldn't have done it without you!
I will let you know when the DVD is available. I have big plans for next Years so watch this space!
Monica x
About Me
- Monica Harris
- I am a fulltime model and presenter living in London. I love it here and have had some amazing opportunities for which I am completely grateful! I devote a lot of time helping charities such as PETA the animal rights group and I have recently set up something called Gathering of Minds. Please check out the page I have created for more info x facebook.com/gatheringofminds facebook.com/MonicaHarrisx Twitter - @MonicaHarris