Idris Elba: Fighter
Discussion
'As a Hollywood star, Golden-Globe winning, Emmy Award- nominated actor and producer Idris Elba has made a career of playing a tough guy. Now he’s about to find out if he really is one. He’s set himself an extraordinary personal challenge to become a pro kickboxer in just 12 months. But even with the help of the best trainers in the world can someone with no experience become a genuine contender in the bloodiest of sports?
In the brand new series, IDRIS ELBA: FIGHTER, Elba will undertake the most demanding experience of his career – training to become a professional kickboxer and ultimately compete against a seasoned fighter in a no-holds-barred bout.
Shot on location in Great Britain, Cuba, Japan, South Africa and Thailand, this is no act. There is no script. This fight is real as are the potential repercussions.
During Idris’ blood, sweat and tears training, he will discover what it really takes to be a professional fighter and will push himself to the limit to overcome pain and fear, master specialised techniques and skills, and ensure both his body and mind are fighting fit. His fame absolutely does not guarantee him a place in the ring; that has to be earned.
Elba, who is no stranger to fight training, used to train kickboxing for fitness throughout his twenties, but he has never fought professionally. He will be mentored by former world champions, trainers, and coaches, and span the globe to incorporate unorthodox training methods and fitness regimes to increase his chances in the main event.
On his inspirational journey Idris will go to physical and mental places he’s never been before, just to find out what it takes to be a fighter.'
On Discovery as we speak, anyone watching?
Pretty good so far. Idris is a likeable guy. It's a tough ask for anyone, especially at 43.
In the brand new series, IDRIS ELBA: FIGHTER, Elba will undertake the most demanding experience of his career – training to become a professional kickboxer and ultimately compete against a seasoned fighter in a no-holds-barred bout.
Shot on location in Great Britain, Cuba, Japan, South Africa and Thailand, this is no act. There is no script. This fight is real as are the potential repercussions.
During Idris’ blood, sweat and tears training, he will discover what it really takes to be a professional fighter and will push himself to the limit to overcome pain and fear, master specialised techniques and skills, and ensure both his body and mind are fighting fit. His fame absolutely does not guarantee him a place in the ring; that has to be earned.
Elba, who is no stranger to fight training, used to train kickboxing for fitness throughout his twenties, but he has never fought professionally. He will be mentored by former world champions, trainers, and coaches, and span the globe to incorporate unorthodox training methods and fitness regimes to increase his chances in the main event.
On his inspirational journey Idris will go to physical and mental places he’s never been before, just to find out what it takes to be a fighter.'
On Discovery as we speak, anyone watching?
Pretty good so far. Idris is a likeable guy. It's a tough ask for anyone, especially at 43.
Halb said:
I was a tad annoyed at how they kept breaking up the fight with pointless blather from thw two talking heads. Just show the bloody fight.
I think they must have come a bit unstuck there, I would guess they were hoping for a 3 round Rocky like brawl and a close finish - I doubt anyone expected Idris to knock him out in 2 mins. Great Mini-Series, I would have never guessed from Luther than Warren Brown was such a well built Guy, let alone a Kickboxing Champion.
P-Jay said:
I think they must have come a bit unstuck there, I would guess they were hoping for a 3 round Rocky like brawl and a close finish - I doubt anyone expected Idris to knock him out in 2 mins.
Great Mini-Series, I would have never guessed from Luther than Warren Brown was such a well built Guy, let alone a Kickboxing Champion.
Yeah, I've met Warren and I didn't.Great Mini-Series, I would have never guessed from Luther than Warren Brown was such a well built Guy, let alone a Kickboxing Champion.
And I guess...I did really like the slo-mo on the big punches.
P-Jay said:
I think they must have come a bit unstuck there, I would guess they were hoping for a 3 round Rocky like brawl and a close finish - I doubt anyone expected Idris to knock him out in 2 mins.
Great Mini-Series, I would have never guessed from Luther than Warren Brown was such a well built Guy, let alone a Kickboxing Champion.
I was intrigued about how easy it looked towards the 'finish'. The first minute or so was huge pressure from the Cloggy and Idris was throwing nothing but air and taking a lot of blows. His guard was awful and I was SURE he was going to hit the deck, in any second. In fact, I think his ability to move and get out of the way had been fairly terrible for the whole series. I didn't have high hopes. Great Mini-Series, I would have never guessed from Luther than Warren Brown was such a well built Guy, let alone a Kickboxing Champion.
Then suddenly it just seemed to click. He got out of range, started covering up and working the jab and lower kicks and the other guy crumbled quickly. Have a feeling that the ex-retired fighter wasn't in as good condition as Elba or used to the crowd and pressure any more and basically burned himself out after a minute or so, dropped his guard and got dropped. Or he got over-confident and too close. It was a bit difficult to tell from the way it was filmed. The goading now looks ridiculous though. Perhaps he knew Idris was prone to getting angry and swinging wildly and was hoping he'd burn out but didn't count on his fitness/ training. I was frankly surprised he had a draw with the SA guy in the amateur fight. Have a feeling the SA guy sandbagged early and would have finished him with another round.
I'm speaking as a guy who did white collar in Singapore (think heat etc) and trained for months before winning a heavyweight bout in front of hundreds (actually over a thousand) people. I reckon I walked into the ring with my heart about to explode out of my chest. It's a very odd feeling that's very difficult to prepare for. I was spent after 2 rounds and although I won unanimously, most of my tactics went to pot in the ring within seconds and he landed a few punches, which had never happened in training. My guy caught an 8 count in round 3 and I honestly didn't even know I'd hit him on the jaw, my arms were so tired!
I am glad he did it and we got to share in the 'journey'. I came to similar conclusions when I did my fight and it ended up being one of the best things I have ever done. I have no interest in training like that or putting myself under that 'stress' ever again though. Well, the odd thought and then slap myself.
I reckon Idris' dedication as an actor is the switch that allowed him to be so dedicated as a boxer. ANd physically he is a specimen too. I mostly ignored the talking head blather because it was all b
ks 'Oh I really started to think I made a mistake'...ffs, it really ruins the programme and cheapens the efforts of Idris. Leave that bullst out.
His opponent was chosen to be about even though. Who knows how long he trained, a month?
I've thought about ultra white collar myself, but not gotten round to it yet.
ks 'Oh I really started to think I made a mistake'...ffs, it really ruins the programme and cheapens the efforts of Idris. Leave that bullst out.His opponent was chosen to be about even though. Who knows how long he trained, a month?
I've thought about ultra white collar myself, but not gotten round to it yet.
It taught me a lot, Halb. I can definitely recommend it but not as an ongoing lifestyle choice. I really felt Idris' pain during this series!
I was lucky in that the Singapore one is the biggest attended WC in the world (I guess because it's basically the only club in what is a very socially active country) so draws a huge audience. That's what makes it such an experience. It takes you right out of your comfort zone and gives you something you could have never imagined.
My heart has never pounded like that before and it took me hours to recover and I even threw up after (a little), which was just down to nerves.
What shocks you is just how 'bad' you are when you watch your fight back. All that training, weight loss, fitness etc and you think you'll look like Anthony Joshua in the ring. You don't. You see it in Idris' amateur fight. He was clearly a hugely fit and competent fighter and dangerous when he got his eye in but it just looked so scrappy and messy, with so many errors. It gives you a huge respect for these guys who have to train for years to be as good as they are.
If anyone hasn't seen the documentary Mr Calzaghe about Joe and his Dad - I highly recommend it. You really see the growth of a born fighter. From his scrappy, junior amateur days to how elusive he was in his final professional fight. I would have loved to have started 10-20yrs earlier and seen what happens over time. Like anything; practice makes perfect and I think fitness and defense are the key in your first year as you just don't know how to spot punches and openings as quickly as you would think you might.
The physical and emotional pain Idris was feeling is very, very real. Addictive in many ways but takes huge application and commitment. To have lost would feel devastating, I would have thought. It needed to be a win, emotionally, I'd say. He'd given up so much. So I am really glad for him and can see the respect he has built for the sport and the professionals.
I was lucky in that the Singapore one is the biggest attended WC in the world (I guess because it's basically the only club in what is a very socially active country) so draws a huge audience. That's what makes it such an experience. It takes you right out of your comfort zone and gives you something you could have never imagined.
My heart has never pounded like that before and it took me hours to recover and I even threw up after (a little), which was just down to nerves.
What shocks you is just how 'bad' you are when you watch your fight back. All that training, weight loss, fitness etc and you think you'll look like Anthony Joshua in the ring. You don't. You see it in Idris' amateur fight. He was clearly a hugely fit and competent fighter and dangerous when he got his eye in but it just looked so scrappy and messy, with so many errors. It gives you a huge respect for these guys who have to train for years to be as good as they are.
If anyone hasn't seen the documentary Mr Calzaghe about Joe and his Dad - I highly recommend it. You really see the growth of a born fighter. From his scrappy, junior amateur days to how elusive he was in his final professional fight. I would have loved to have started 10-20yrs earlier and seen what happens over time. Like anything; practice makes perfect and I think fitness and defense are the key in your first year as you just don't know how to spot punches and openings as quickly as you would think you might.
The physical and emotional pain Idris was feeling is very, very real. Addictive in many ways but takes huge application and commitment. To have lost would feel devastating, I would have thought. It needed to be a win, emotionally, I'd say. He'd given up so much. So I am really glad for him and can see the respect he has built for the sport and the professionals.
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