Last night, I had the opportunity to shoot my first boxing match. I have shot Ultimate Fighting/ Mixed Martial Arts in the past, but never boxing.
Before I went, I was told to wear a dark colored shirt so the flying blood would not stain anything I was wearing. It was probably good advice as some of the matches got a little bloody. Luckily, I don’t think I was hit by any blood (at least I hope not)… just lots of sweat. I guess its the price you pay for being so close to the action.
In true Rocky style, the Russians were the ones to fear. Two out of the three Russians that were fighting last night knocked out his opponent in the first round (and one in less than a minute– see picture below).
Thankfully, the ring was extremely well lit from all sides which also meant that the flying sweat and blood was always nicley backlit against a perfect black background. Here are some of the shots I got:
Fedor Chudinov of Siberia, Russia, right, delivers a first-round knockout punch to Shawn Kirk of Lexington, Ky. during the Summer Showdown boxing match at the Reno Events Center in Reno, Nev. Friday, July 10, 2009. (© John Schreiber/Reno Gazette-Journal)
Shawn Kirk of Lexington, Ky. gets a 10 count from the referee after getting knocked out by Fedor Chudinov of Siberia, Russia during the Summer Showdown at the Reno Events Center in Reno, Nev., Friday, July 10, 2009. (©John Schreiber/Reno Gazette-Journal)
In the main event, Jesse Brinkley of Yerington, Nev., left, lets out a spray of sweat as he delivers a blow to Mike Paschall of Baltimore, MD during the Summer Showdown at the Reno Events Center Friday, July 10, 2009. Brinkley won the 10-round match in a unanimous decision. (©John Schreiber/Reno Gazette-Journal)
um… wowza. these are some great shots! i’ve found that boxing/mma/fighting in general is something i have a VERY difficult time shooting. it’s hard for me to be so close to people being hurt so badly. but, that first shot is just amazing… good job on your first time shooting boxing!
WOW! You really did an amazing job.
^^^
What they said 🙂