I’ve recently been at an amazing wedding in Italy and I've ended up with my shoulders peeling, must be to do with the horrible hill sprints that me and a couple of lads decided to do at midday in ridiculous heat. I say horrible, but as hard as they are, I love hill sprints due to their benefit.
Let's start with another huge AFC Bournemouth transfer. Milos Kerkez has finally made his move to Liverpool. Even though its a big loss to the team on the pitch, at least we already have a replacement in Truffert and the club have got a great fee for him. We are currently a club which works as a conveyor belt of talent to bigger clubs. However, listening to Bill Foley's talk at the fans' forum, his aim is to get us into Europe so we are no longer just a stop gap for talented players.
(Image: Richard Crease) The fans' forum was great to watch and listen to (watch here).
The plans for the new stadium are exciting, as is next season despite the exit of a few key players from last season. I believe its going to be a busy summer of arrivals and departures at the club.
I have been back up to London to do some training up there whilst still training at RISE at the Hilton in town when I'm back home.
McGuigan's gym is packed with superb talent, as always. We have a trip to New York in a couple of weeks for Ellie Scotney to go pick up the WBC World Title and add that to her WBO, IBF and Ring magazine belts.
Ellie is an absolute diamond. Her sense of humour and kind nature are just so enjoyable to be around so I can't wait to see the Big Apple for the first time whilst supporting her stateside. Hopefully soon we will have some big news for Lee Cutler. It may be later on in the year but if it comes off, lets just say the local fans will be happy!
(Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire) In other news I'm hoping to meet with local MP Tom Hayes regarding the state of the playgrounds in the BCP area. Having seen some epic playgrounds in the USA last summer, my wife and I realised how poor most of the ones we have local to us are.
As a father to a 3-year-old and another baby boy on the way, it is apparent to me that playgrounds need to be improved for children of all abilities and capabilities. Children learn best during play and its also important for them to do dangerous things carefully. This is where we create competence which they can take through life to adulthood. It will only have a positive impact on our society. This MP is pushing for improvements of playgrounds, so I'm hoping to get involved to help make an impact.
Talking of having an impact on children, I visited Manorside Academy this week with Authentic Education who are launching a boxing awards programme to help improve children's confidence, courage, discipline, school attendance, self esteem, physical well-being and more. Boxing has taught me a whole host of those things and it was great to share my journey with some of the children during a Q&A we did.
After all, children are our future.
Have a great weekend everybody!