Corner Man

"...You’re only as good as the fighter you work with, I don’t care how much you know, if your fighter can’t fight, you’re another bum in the park"
RAY ARCEL – Trainer of Ezzard Charles, Roberto Duran & Larry Holmes

The trainer or corner-man’s responsibilities begin from the very moment the fighter and team begin their travels to the fight. During the journey the corner man looks after the fighter’s welfare ensuring the right food is eaten, that the fighter is being hydrated prior to the fight and keeping the fighter mentally prepared and alert to the task ahead.

Before, during and after the fight no one is closer to the fighter than the trainer/corner man:

They oversee a fighter’s physical preparation for a fight.
They analyze the weaknesses of the opponent.
Create strategies for victory.
Advise their fighters in the corner between rounds.
Improvise last-minute strategic changes

In professional Muay Thai the fighter receives a total of 4 x 2 minute breaks between rounds. During this time it is the corners responsibility to ensure the following for the Nak Muay:

Equipment
Preparation
Hydration
Cooling
Healing
Massage
Advice
Rules for the corner

I liken these breaks to ‘pit-stops’ and quite often you will see the corner-men franticly preparing their fighter for the next round.

EQUIPMENT

To ensure that the fighter is properly ‘serviced’ the corner man requires an array of equipment:

Corner Tote & Bucket

Towel & latex gloves

Cotton buds & Eye Iron

Ice pack & Water bottle

Scissors & Vaseline

Sponge & Water spray bottle

Zinc oxide tape & Masking tape

In addition the corner man will need Thai massage oil, hand-wraps and also Thai pads/focus mitts to warm the fighter up. The corner man is responsible to ensure that the fighter has all their equipment to hand too, such as: Groin protector, gum-shield, shorts, Kruang Ruang, Mongkon and robe.

Entering the ring

PREPARATION

The corner man’s work begins in the dressing room where the fighter will be massaged and warmed up. Hand wraps are applied and the corner man is responsible for ensuring the fighters gum-shield and groin protection are in place. Mental preparation begins here too, keeping the fighter focused and away from distraction, offering positive advice.

Upon approach and entry to the ring the corner man ensures that the fighter enters the ring safely and with a positive attitude, boxing gowns are removed and gloves are put on and taped up.

Preparation

HYDRATION

Hydration is singularly one of the most important duties that the corner man needs to perform. If the fighter is not correctly hydrated before and during the fight their performance will be limited and there lies a danger of collapse. Hydrating your fighter begins well before they reach the dressing room, it is important that the fighter receives adequate and regular sips of water throughout the day. During the fight small sips are needed to maintain hydration and to stop ‘cotton mouth’ when the mouth dries through nerves.

Hydration & cooling (Note the ice pack at the back of the neck)

COOLING

Keeping the fighters body temperature cool is also of high importance especially when they fight in hot climates. The following methods can be used to lower the fighter’s temperature:

Fanning using a towel
Water spray over the body
Ice pack to the back of the neck
Releasing the shorts away from the waist to allow air to circulate

Water spraying the body to cool the fighter down

Releasing the shorts away from the waist to allow air to circulate

HEALING

Reducing swelling and closing cuts are two of the prime concerns for the corner. Swells and bruises need to be acted upon quickly using the ice pack or eye iron. Cuts are a different matter and a fight can be quickly stopped if the bleeding isn’t stemmed and the cut closed. An anti-coagulant called adrenaline 1000 is allowed to be used and direct pressure to the cut, if not to severe usually stops the blood flow. Packing with Vaseline is also another way to seal the wound.

MASSAGE

The fighter receives a full massage prior to their fight to stimulate blood flow and warm the muscles up. In between rounds massaging the fighter’s legs will stimulate blood flow and help prevent stiffness. This should be deep and fast so that blood is brought to the surface.

Massage prior to the fight

Giving sound and clear advice

ADVICE

It is important that the fighter receives encouragement from the very start. In between rounds the corner man should give strategic advice on several areas:

Defence
Opponents weakness
Opponents strengths
Encouragement

The corner man will observe each round and advise his fighter how best to take advantage during the rounds. Instructions should be clear and concise. It is necessary for the corner man to remain calm and not to appear excited or nervous and to keep the instructions short but meaningful. Too many corner men talking at the same time will cause information overload and the fighter will miss vital information. It is imperative that the corner works as a team.

RULES FOR THE CORNER

The following excerpt is taken from the World Muay Thai Councils (WMC) rules & regulations of Muay Thai:

Item 9: SECONDS
Two seconds are allowed to attend the boxer as per the following stipulations:

9.1. During the match, the seconds are not allowed to advise, help or instruct their boxer. Any violation of the rules by the seconds or the boxer may result in the boxer's disqualification.
9.2. The seconds are not allowed to signal to interested parties, the condition of his boxer.
9.3. During the match, the seconds must stay in the designated area. Prior to the start of each round they will remove all towels, water bottles, etc out of the ring area.
9.4. During the interval, the seconds will ensure that their boxer is properly attired. In case of any problem they shall inform the referee immediately.
9.5. The seconds shall ensure that the ring floor is kept dry to prevent any slipping.
9.6. The seconds must wear a proper shirt that bears his camp's/gym's logo or emblem.
9.7. The seconds are forbidden to direct bad or insulting language at the boxer or injure him either during or after the fight.
9.8. In a championship match, 3 seconds are allowed but only 2 are allowed in the ring at any one time during the round break.
9.9. Prior to a championship match, a meeting will be held between the referee, judges, boxer’s managers and the seconds to confirm the rules and procedures of the match and to confirm the penalties for any improper conduct or violations by an involved person.

CONCLUSION

The relationship between a trainer and fighter is that of mentor to student. They must gain the trust of the fighter, who needs to have absolute faith in the authenticity of the trainer’s observations and instructions. Before, during and after a fight, no one is closer to the fighter than the trainer. The trainer’s observations are often more objective and informative than those of the fighters themselves. Above all, trainers are professional observers; no one can better analyze a fighter’s skills or strengths and weaknesses. Working with the fighter, the trainer performs a variety of roles including Father figure, babysitter, and motivator and, above all, strategic advisor. One of the world’s greatest trainers/corner-men Angelo Dundee, who worked with Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard, provided the following job description: “To be a good fight trainer, you must adhere to a mixed bag, You’ve got to combine certain qualities belonging to a doctor, engineer, psychologist, and sometimes even an actor in addition to knowing your specific art well”.

Ready!

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