November 11, 2024, 4:46 pm | Read time: 6 minutes
Max Wilschrey, known as a footballer and participant in the reality TV show “Bachelor in Paradise 2023”, ventures into unknown territory: he puts on boxing gloves for the first time for the celebrity boxing event “Fame Fighting.” With no experience and despite an ankle injury, he takes on an experienced opponent – and with a good dose of fighting spirit. In an interview with FITBOOK editor Sophie Brünke, Wilschrey explains what appeals to him about the challenge, how he prepared himself in just five weeks, and what parallels he sees between soccer and boxing.
He competes in the Oberliga for FC Karbach and has participated in this year’s Baller League, where he scored seven goals for his team. Now, the next challenge awaits Max Wilschrey (28), as he will step into the boxing ring for the first time on November 9 at BILD Fame Fighting 2 against Bocc Özsu, reality participant on Ex on the Beach. At this event, reality stars, YouTubers, and actors will face off against one another. In the FITBOOK interview, Max Wilschrey spoke about the motivation behind his boxing debut, the advantages he brings with him thanks to his soccer experience, and how he deals with mental pressure. His goal is to prove to himself that he can also hold his own in another sport.
“I just wanted to try swapping my soccer boots for boxing gloves
FITBOOK: You signed up for “Fame Fighting” even though you are actually a footballer. What made you want to get into the boxing ring?
Max Wilschrey: “I’m a person who loves a challenge. Even though I’d never had anything to do with boxing before, I just wanted to give it a try and swap my soccer boots for boxing gloves. Although the preparation time was relatively brief, I was eager to demonstrate to myself that I’m capable of excelling in a different sport as well.”
Do you like trying out new sports, and is there another one you would like to try?
“Yes, I would like to play American football! I’ve only played a bit recreationally from time to time, but a real match in a team would be an exciting challenge.”
You have already indicated that you had little preparation time. How long and intensively did you train for the fight?
“I received the invitation just five weeks prior to the fight, which is far from ideal, particularly given my lack of prior boxing experience. But it was better than no preparation time at all. Unfortunately, I’m hardly training at the moment because I’m injured – I twisted my ankle in an unfortunate soccer match. I have a stretched ligament and irritation in my ankle. So I’ve only trained once this week and am resting, but normally, I train almost every day.”
“You don’t lose a leg from a defeat”
Do you think the injury could put you off boxing?
No, I’m confident about that. The injury will be managed with ‘taping’ and then I should be good to go (kinesiology tape can be used to stabilize the ankle, editor’s note). Realistically, I’m the underdog anyway. My opponent has much more boxing experience. But I can still spring a surprise in the end and I’m going in with the mindset that anything is possible.”
How do you deal with the mental pressure before a big event – be it a soccer match or a boxing match?
“I stay relaxed. I’m used to playing in front of lots of spectators. It’s important to focus on yourself and enjoy the moment rather than being afraid of embarrassing yourself in front of friends and family, for example. You should also be proud of taking on the challenge in the first place. Even if I might concede and lose, I’ll still be glad I did it. You don’t lose a leg from a defeat.”
How did you prepare for the ring? Who did you seek help from?
“I trained at Fusion Sports with Marcel Sadowski and other trainers and Fame Fight participants for about two and a half weeks. Then Marcel flew to a training camp in Thailand with a few other participating guys. I stayed here for soccer and continued with my friend Jakub and his coach (meaning reality star and Fame Fighting participant Jakub Merlan-Jarecki, editor’s note). So I have good partners at my side.”
“In sparring, I simulate the fight situation
How is a typical training session structured?
“The session lasts about two hours. We start with a warm-up, then we practice techniques such as footwork, for example, how to stand and move to deliver punches with pads and on the punching bag. We finish with sparring to practise this ‘combat situation’. As I have good basic stamina from soccer, my focus in boxing is mainly on technique.”
Has your soccer experience helped you with your boxing training in any other way?
“Yes, definitely. The stability and coordination from soccer are helpful, especially the footwork. Exercises such as jumping over hurdles or one-legged jumps onto a wall and step sequences through a coordination ladder, which we do in soccer, also help in boxing.”
“Boxing is much more complicated than you think”
Was there anything in boxing training that you found particularly difficult?
“Boxing is much more complicated than you think. The technique is the biggest challenge. It’s hard to learn the right technique in such a short time – especially how to punch and keep your guard up at the same time.”
Do you also take what you learn from boxing training into soccer?
“Not directly so far. But I think if I continue boxing, it could bring benefits. In boxing, the physical contact is more intense, and the fitness you develop there is different from that of soccer. Boxing trains speed and endurance at a very high level because there are hardly any breaks – in soccer you always have short recovery phases. This specific endurance and the fast movements could already help me in soccer.”
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“I’m a dedicated water drinker, one hundred percent.”
What do you pay attention to in your diet? Did you eat differently than usual before the boxing match?
“I don’t pay strict attention to my diet in everyday life, but I cook regularly, usually with rice or pasta and meat. I rarely eat sweets and I never drink soft drinks, only water. I’m currently cutting out alcohol completely for the fight. Due to the intensive training, I’m also much hungrier at the moment, so I’m eating more carbohydrates.”
Do you have a favorite meal that is also fitness-friendly?
“I keep my diet quite simple. I like to eat pasta with chicken breast and pesto. Snacks like protein bars are also included from time to time.”