I met Madické in Bercy park at Paris. Eric Vellard a veteran boxer who welcomed me few months ago for a training session in a municipal sport complex in 12th arrondissement of Paris, told me about Madické a boxer late in his 30 who prepared for a future competition. I had been invited for an outdoor session. It was still the Covid-19 period, so boxing in a park was a good practice in a multiple way. Madické and the other guys were really nice to me and happy to see a photographer.
Then, after this first meeting, I decided to follow Madi during his preparation. It's Mid March, still cold outside. Rendez-vous at Les Mureaux, the place where Madi use to train with Johanna his coach and where he and she coach as well the other ASKB association member. It's 50kms from Paris.
Sparing time with heavy weight partners.
Meeting at Madi's place before climbing in a van where his relatives in sport expect him to go to the competition. Direction Saint Brieuc more than 400kms.
Everyone tries to take care of their own, sleeping, organizing the next junior competion and telling stories of past competitions like veterans.
This is a small world where everyone knows each other. Madi meets the organizer a former boxer, coach and father of a young fighter man.
It's time for the weighing and the "eyes to eyes confrontation".
Fighters meet their opponent the first time. The athletes are physically and technically ready. With this meeting, it is the psychological phase that begins.
Each boxing competition brings side events. At Saint-Brieuc, the organizer welcomed a local cheer group/association demonstration, the show gathered kids and teenagers, boys and girls. Boxing is a familial event in the region. The atmosphere is the same. It's quite different than Paris where even though kids and families are present, the show itself is more adult/men oriented with professional dancers and round girls.
Madi creates his bubble of intimacy and concentration in a musical atmosphere, a mixed of rap and african music loaded on his mobile phone he listens and shares with a speaker placed on the bench of the locker room.
In the locker room Madi prepares himslef physically and mentally. He keeps to communicates with his friends, but in the mean time he seems far, I would say deep in himself.
Johanna bandages his fists to protect them, using straps which stiffen and unite the bones and joints to prevent cracks or fractures. She is not used to doing it, Madické monitor the task and leverage this time to focus better.
The boxer has a ritual of entry inside the ring. He wears the flag of the Senegal his mother country and prays before going inside.
In the red corner, the coach gives the last words that galvanize the boxer.
The fight is anything but an anarchic moment. It's about sizing up the opponent from the first round, choosing tactics, making points, hurting. Finding the strategy that will lead to victory without giving the opponent the opportunity to do the same...
...make an impregnable block, hit the leg, the same one, in the same place, place low-kicks patiently again and again, observe the reactions of your opponent...
Until the one that the precedents made unbearable, the one who offers the KO.
Madiké who has managed the fight with coolness, almost detachment even, takes few minutes to embrace his victory before coming back to the corner and land after the combat.
Somewhere, and he will confirm and even regret later himself, I saw another Madi far from the one I use to know: humble and concerned about the well-being of those around him. Here and right now, he is almost ironic and impertinent as if he took a revenge on his opponent.
To fight and to win the fight, you may have to change your mindset.
Now, It is his his glory time and he enjoys the moment where the public chants his name.
Honors, congratulations and finally mutual respect between the fighters.
In the lockers, with Joahana's help and the friends, Madické remakes the fight, for the pleasure and to help to bring down the tension which was well controlled but present.
It is also the time to take care of the injuries and pain that are starting to be felt.
The fight remains in the minds and bodies of the fighters for a few days.
Madi is approaching the 40, in his discussion with his peers, he wonders how long time he will continue the competition. He likes this sport, the competition, but he observed the younger generation, better physically prepared than he is.
He has a wife and he is father of two sons. He does not have as much time to prepare.
He wants to continue, he likes doing it in an "old school" way. But he thinks about his physical and mental integrity. He knows each fight is tough and risky. He is afraid he would make one fight he would regret...
But for the time being, Madi goes back home with a smile and the winner's belt.
