Many folk (well, two) have asked me which sport I prefer to shoot above all others.

The answer to this question is certainly not straightforward as my passion for snapping sport covers many, many bases. However, if I was sat on a chair with the metaphorical gun to my temple, I am (pretty) sure I would utter the word 'Boxing'.

I'll be perfectly honest and admit that I'm not what you'd call a boxing aficionado. However, over the last few years I've learned more and more about the 'sweet science'... and the more I learn, the more I enjoy shooting it.

Being ringside for a fight with camera in hand is quite something. The first couple of times I had this privelege, I left the venue feeling like I'd been in a bout myself. Trying to match the timing of my shutter releases to the landing of the punches was impossibly difficult. I found myself ducking and diving, swerving and swaying to get the shot. That, and the sound of the crowd and the impact of the thwackery itself.

With increasing experience and knowledge of the pugilists, the 'hit'-rate gradually went up. Understanding the significance of a twitch of a shoulder and seeking out the combinations made for some interesting images...



Ian Napa defeats Carmelo Ballone to win the European EBU Bantamweight Boxing Title at York Hall, Bethnal Green, promoted by FTM Sports/Maloney Promotions

TV lighting is great from a snapper's viewpoint; consistent and bright enough for action-freezing shutter speeds. There are some issues with white balance, but nothing that a piece of white paper and a custom setting can't overcome.

I've covered a fair number of televised shows over the last few years but I still appreciate the challenge of a gloomy venue. Fortunately, flash is not out of bounds at boxing in the UK. It's not to say that whacking a big flash on your camera and popping away is going to make life particularly easy, but it can yield some nice results...



Debutant Tony Conquest makes a bit of a mess of Bobby Scott's face during a Light-Heavyweight boxing contest at York Hall, Bethnal Green, promoted by Miranda Carter/Left Jab Promotions

Boxing, by its very nature, lends itself to a certain amount of pain and injury. A bad cut can cause a fight to be stopped and plenty of invaluable work takes place in a fighter's corner between rounds to ensure the combatant can continue.

Here's a pic of Greg Barton shortly before the referee stopped his Middleweight fight with Darren Barker in the third round at York Hall, Bethnal Green back in 2007.



Mustn't forget the venues themselves. The Troxy in the heart of East London recently hosted the Flaming Lips in concert and it's also a boxing venue of note with art deco features and a fine atmosphere. OK, it's not York Hall (I'll come on to that subject at a later date) but worth a general view from the balcony methought...



General view of a boxing show at the Troxy, Limehouse, London, promoted by CityBoxer

..and how's about a 'decision' pic to finish. In a close fight there can be a huge outburst of emotion from the winning fighter and his supporters when the decision is announced...



Lenny Daws celebrates after defeating Barry Morrison in a Light-Welterweight boxing contest for the British Title at York Hall, Bethnal Green, promoted by Matchroom Sports

Plenty more to come on this subject! To see some more boxing pics, just follow this here LINKETY-LINK.

Labels: Boxing, Darren Barker, Ian Napa, Lenny Daws, Light, Troxy, TV