Q&A: Ethan Langson Justice

images ©JoannaTaylorPhotography

I recently had another question and answer session with one of our senior squad members.

Ethan has been training with LABC for some time as university commitments have allowed. He continued his training with a coach at Cardiff Uni and now is back with us and a fully invested team member. He contributes his sports degree knowledge into the club with fitness sessions aimed at expanding the boxers abilities and stamina. This works hand in hand with our coaches and can only improve the quality of the boxers we have competing.

Ethan has a dedicated work ethic, and he totally accepts the sheer hard work and commitment that amateur boxing requires.

How and why did you get into boxing?

I got into boxing during lockdown. I’m a rugby player originally, though I’ve always had a love for boxing. I was committing so much of my time to rugby I didn’t have time to box. However, during lockdown and the slow return of team sports I finally got in the gym. Since then I’ve never looked back!

Your dad was in the Royal Marines, and then joined the Army as a Physical Training Instructor, is this what drew you to doing a sports/ fitness related subject at university?

My dads passion for sports and fitness was installed into me from a young age and was something we’ve always shared a love for. Him being in the Marines taught him some incredible life skills and he still lives by the ethos he gained in the Corps to this day. I like to believe I take a lot from these lessons he’s taught me and they contribute hugely to how I live my life.

You are very dedicated. Without prejudice, your generation tend to want to make a living through Internet and influencing. What pushes you to be different to them and what is now seen as a common way of life (ie making a living on a laptop!)?

I think the new age of remote working is perfectly fitted for a lot of people and it is great for them! But not me. My dedication stems back to my upbringing and the lessons my parents taught me. If I’ve not trained hard, worked hard and gone to bed tired it probably wasn’t a successful day. Maybe this is a result from growing up in a military household? Or it could just be me, everyone’s different, I do what makes me happy.

You run sessions at the boxing gym now. Tell us a bit about them, what they are aimed at achieving?

The session I take on a Friday is the clubs S&C session (Strength & Conditioning). I’m lucky enough to be studying my MSc degree in Sport and Health Sciences and just love passing this knowledge onto the guys and girls to help them better themselves! It’s about combining the underpinning key components of fitness with some exciting new sport and exercise, science driven, programed sessions to work in hand with their boxing specific training to help them reach their peak performance in the ring!

Tell me how you felt on your very first bout in the ring. How did you approach that?

My very first bout made me feel all kind of ways. In the lead up my over confident persona shone through and I had almost no nerves. Until i walked to the ring….and it all hit me. Adrenaline, doubt, pressure and contemplating if I was even ready or doing the right thing. Then the bell went, and it all disappeared. I loved it. From then on I was addicted, even though I actually lost that bout haha. Who is your biggest supporter? And your biggest influence?

I would say my biggest supporter is my Fiancé Carli. She puts up with me being tired from training, not being able to drink, not being able to eat certain foods, always being in the gym, all without complaint. Most of the time…. As for influence I’d have to say my dad. As I mentioned above my work ethic and ethos all comes from my mother and him. He used to be my rugby coach and even though he still coaches rugby and runs a busy business he’ll commit every bit of free time he has to supporting me with my boxing and this influences me to be better every day.

What do you think is the biggest threat to boxing today?

I think the biggest threat to boxing is the old school persona of boxing and boxers. I think some people still believe you should be a certain ‘type’ of person to be a boxer and this slows up participation rates. It all comes down to dedication and work ethic. If you’re willing to dedicate as much as the person next to you and work as hard as them then you’re the the ‘type’ of person who can box! Does your future include more serious boxing plans? And what's your proudest moment?

My near future plans are to join the army as a junior officer. Though I’m hoping boxing will still play a big role in my life. I’m hopeful to continue boxing within the army and take it as far as I possibly can! My proudest moment would probably be winning the western counties challenge belt, this was something I did not expect to get a chance at so early in my boxing journey.

images ©Joana Taylor Photography

If you had to offer 3 reasons as to why people should get into boxing training, for fitness or competition, what would they be?

My First reason would be dedication. Boxing teaches you how to be dedicated, in and outside the gym. Secondly I would suggest boxing for your physical and mental health. Physical activity independently has a positive impact on both physical & mental health, boxing just makes it more fun! Thirdly I would suggest boxing to help in controlling your emotions. It taught me to stay composed in the ring, when someone’s trying to take your head off. I found this learnt ability directly correlates to real life situations and helps you to keep a calm head in tough and stressful situations. If you had a super power what would it be?

If I had one super power it would have to be; being able to eat whatever/ whenever I wanted and be in peak physical condition. I love my food…. Finally....What's your strapline?

“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard”

images ©JoannaTaylor Photography

Lympstone Amateur Boxing Club are delighted to have a Senor Squad that share such determination as Ethan.

We hope to continue to help steer Ethan towards more victories in the ring, and lets face it he really does have the right mind set to achieve great heights in whatever he does in life.

Thank you Ethan

Joanna Taylor