Training: WEEK NINE

Back from the US, Andy is training hard:

"After a week away in California (jet lag hit hard on both outward and return journeys), it’s amazing how quickly my boxing conditioning has tailed off! Whilst my cardio efforts seem intact, my sparring was incredibly hard work in session 1 this week. My arms and shoulders really have felt the pace. That said, I should point out that I was up against an extremely fit and more experienced opponent.. surprisingly, the bout went very well. I took a few good shots but landed my fair share and boxed well behind the jab. See, I can even talk like a boxer now 'Arry!

Session 2 was much tougher with additional sparring rounds and boxing drills that left me completely drained.

We’re now on the run in to the big night now and I know the training will intensify further still as the bout approaches. The adrenalin has definitely kicked in and yet, strangely, I’m enjoying it all."

STOP PRESS..Andy 'The Saint' Sayers makes the News!

The media have been quick to pick up on Andy's story. The Rutland Times was the first to highlight the extraordinary lengths that Andy is going to in order to raise funds for his sons' school.

Next came a piece in The Rutland Mercury which was swiftly followed by an article in The Rutland Messenger.

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Training: WEEK EIGHT

The Saint looks back on a trip to the US:

"My eighth week of training was spent in the US at the BakBone sales & marketing kick off event in San Diego. We were kept very busy from early in the morning until late each day. I was hoping to be able to make use of a boxing gym whilst I was there but unfortunately I had to make do with the hotel gym instead. The specialist boxing gym I had found was just too far away to fit in training sessions with the time available. That said, I was able to use the well appointed hotel gym first thing every day so I managed lots of running and plenty of weights.

It was about 30 degrees in San Diego which was a very pleasant change from the cold and rainy weather I'd left at home in England. Being followed, whilst walking to the gym one morning, by a humming bird was almost surreal! California is a great place to visit if you get the chance.

The week away from sparring has given some niggling injuries time to heal and, overall, I don’t think it has set me back. But we’ll see when I get back into it next week!"

Local Karate Club Shows Support

The Sensei Bassett Black Belt Academy are proud to support Andy 'The Saint' Sayers and English Martyrs Catholic Primary School.

The Sensei Bassett Black Belt Academy is well known to many of the pupils at English Martyrs - Andy's sons both regularly attend the packed classes. The Oakham based Karate club is hugely popular amongst both boys and girls and is dedicated to providing Karate for children between the ages of 6 and 16 years old.

As part of the United Kingdom Martial Arts Federation, Josh Bassett's successful Acadamy runs classes at the Vale of Catmose College, Cold Overton Road, Oakham, four times a week. Each session combines an exciting range of fitness and karate training that helps to improve self-discipline, concentration, fitness and self-esteem. Many of the children regularly win trophies and awards at Karate competitions and tournaments.

If your children would like to join this very popular Karate academy, please visit their website (http://www.senseibassett.co.uk/)
or please call 07769 65 33 58 for more details.

You're The Greatest - Muhammed Ali

Andy has admired the boxing legend, Muhammed Ali, long before he ever thought he'd be fighting in the ring himself.

And so, as a treat for all of you who are supporting Andy, here's a wonderful clip of the Great Man himself (Ali, not Andy!) being interviewed by our national treasure Sir Michael Parkinson.

(Watch out for the famous Ali shuffle at 4.25 - quite something!)

Enjoy!

Exciting Times

Online fundraising for Andy's charity, Friends of English Martyrs, has now started in earnest. Our first donation from the U.S. came in early this morning but many more of you from the U.K. and Europe have been logging on and making online donations throughout the week.

Our largest online donation to date has been for £100.00. The Gift Aid on that amount alone was £28.21, creating a massive single donation of £128.21 ...

So the gauntlet has been thrown down guys and gals ... who can beat that figure??

Make a donation, make a difference!

Thank you.

Training: WEEK SEVEN

As you read this, Andy is in San Diego, California, but we managed to prize open his training diary and take a peek....

"Things are going well and I'm feeling pretty good at the moment.

There's obviously still lots to work on but some of the things I’ve been finding tricky have now fallen into place and each session is seeing obvious progress.

The main issue at the moment is a lack of variety of sparring partners due to the times I’ve been able to train. Hopefully, I will be able to remedy that over the next few weeks. My fitness levels have continued to improve and I feel like I’ve turned a corner which is a real confidence booster.

There's still a lot to learn and improve on but we still have time to fine tune things.

I’m off to the US for a week soon and will be trying to find a gym there so I don’t lose momentum."

Training: WEEKS FIVE & SIX

Whilst Andy's work commitments have kept him on the road, opportunities to fill in his training diary have been limited. Here's a combination of entries for weeks 5 &6.

"Training sessions are now beginning to take a familiar pattern.

I’m pleased to say that having been frustrated at not being too quick on the uptake (don't all rush to agree!) with some of the movement and combinations that the last few sessions have seen something click. This is good news! I’m not having to think about everything and it’s all starting to feel a lot more natural.

I’m also pleased to report that my level of fitness has turned a corner and I’m getting into the shape required to do 3 hard rounds.

Sparring has moved up a few gears and the first thing Ben does now is to check who else is available in the gym to spar with for a few rounds. Worryingly, though, he doesn’t seem to care whether they’re large or small - apparantly his thought is that it’s about variety and having to deal with whatever’s put in front of me.

All good practice for fight night! "

Support 'The Saint' & Get A Ring-Side Seat

Every great sporting hero has his or her team of supporters and fan club and 'The Saint' is no exception.

If you would like to cheer on Andy in person on the evening of 29th May (at The Brewery, Chiswell Street, London, EC1Y 4SD) - here's a SPECIAL OFFER that you can't beat!

• Champagne on arrival at the Welcome Reception


• 3 course meal, mineral water and coffee.


• Half bottle of wine per person


• Plus you can entire the charity auction to bag yourself a souvenir of the night - all proceeds go to the nominated charities of the evening.


• Friends & Family supporter tickets cost £125.00 each

For more details contact: Nathalie Perez - Tel: +44 (0) 20 7316 9586
Event Manager - Business Technology, Group Incisive Media.

We're Ready For Your Donation!

Have a look at our new donation widget!!! (It's at the top of the right hand column)

Launched today, The Saint's online donation facility makes it super easy to make a donation to Friends of English Martyrs. All major credit cards are accepted and if you're a UK tax payer, Gift Aid can be added to your donation to make it even more generous! For example, a £50 donation means an extra £14.10 from the 'Tax Man'! (Don't worry, it's very simple, just follow the instructions.)

Don't forget, Andy 'The Saint' Sayers is doing all the hard work...all you have to do is reach in to your wallet and take a minute to make a donation and leave your message of support.

Make a donation, make a difference!

Thank you.