HI guy's

I have been attending a Boxing gym for a month or so now but only doing circuit classes because unless you are looking to go Amateur they are not really interested, and that’s fare enough being that I am 31.
However I found a gym a little way from where I live that teaches Boxing to anyone. So I went down tonight and had the best time and learnt allot.
They showed me how to stand and balance and throw some punches. I really enjoyed myself. There was a few people there and there was a couple my age and older. They were sparring. I found out that you work you way up to that and a few times a year they have interclub comps for people who have learnt but are to old or don't want to go Amateur. They Idea of getting into the ring scares me, but I am going to work hard and give it a go. (You only live once) I have to sit back and laugh I started going to a boxing gym for the great cardio workout to loose weight. Now scared shy little me who has never hit anyone has fallen for this crazy sport and wants to give it a try.
Just when you think you have life figured out, it surprises you.
This post isn't supposed to mean much, but I felt like I had to share my feelings.

DMC:boxing:

You're in the same boat I was. I am 36, started a year ago, was terrified of getting hit, and now train to fight in interclub competitions and exhibition bouts. Use the search function and read some of my early posts if you like.

Come on in, the water's fine.

:boxing:

- Fraidycat

HI guy's

I have been attending a Boxing gym for a month or so now but only doing circuit classes because unless you are looking to go Amateur they are not really interested, and that’s fare enough being that I am 31.
However I found a gym a little way from where I live that teaches Boxing to anyone. So I went down tonight and had the best time and learnt allot.
They showed me how to stand and balance and throw some punches. I really enjoyed myself. There was a few people there and there was a couple my age and older. They were sparring. I found out that you work you way up to that and a few times a year they have interclub comps for people who have learnt but are to old or don't want to go Amateur. They Idea of getting into the ring scares me, but I am going to work hard and give it a go. (You only live once) I have to sit back and laugh I started going to a boxing gym for the great cardio workout to loose weight. Now scared shy little me who has never hit anyone has fallen for this crazy sport and wants to give it a try.
Just when you think you have life figured out, it surprises you.
This post isn't supposed to mean much, but I felt like I had to share my feelings.

DMC:boxing:

Cool fraidycat,
It's nice to know I am not alone, and there are other late starters on here.

DMC:boxing:

hey. im only 19 right now, but i respect that a lot. its never too old to train in boxing. its the best sport in the world. your words are wise as well, 'you only live once'

let us know how everything goes!

willy

im 23 and wanna learn real bad i just dont have the funds for boxing lessons.

Thanks punchDrUnK MONK for the words of encouragement. I will let you know how I progress. As for cost I found this place is cheap. I paid $8.50 I started at 5:15pm and left at 8:00pm I thought that was value for money and because I was new a guy stayed with me the whole time to teach me.

fraidycat I looked back at your older posts, there great you have done well. I have one question, Did you ever get the video of your first match online for us to see, I am interested in seeing it.

DMC:boxing:

im 23 and wanna learn real bad i just dont have the funds for boxing lessons.

Mine costs £4 for a one and a half hour lesson.

£4 is about half an hours wage.

If your trainer knows his business he will first teach you how to defend yourself. You should not attempt sparring until you can prove you are not easy to hit. Remember boxing is a dangerous sport. Many of these young guys have reported in this forum the injuries they have incurred through premature sparring.

Its ridiculous being too old to do something at 31

There's a guy in my beginner group who i'd guess is in his mid 50's or 60's. Every week he's in there with the rest of us holding his own, sparring and all. I have massive respect for that guy.

I total agree platinummatt! Its ridiculous being too old to do something at 31
I am surprised there are not more 30+ guy's looking at boxing especially Amateur.
I know most guys my age are turning pro or already pro, but I think if they really opened it up to older guy’s and promoted the health, fitness and self defense aspect they would get guy’s coming from everywhere. They whole white collar aspect where normal business people and workers have a go could work on a bigger scale with competitions and things. Show the safety and fun side of it and it would take off.

The guy that was showing me owns the gym; he seems nice and seemed like he knows what he is doing. When I arrived and was ready to start he has me in front of a mirror showing me how to stand and balance, then how to move. Then how to throw some very basic punches. Then he left me and went to work with the rest of the guys sparring. He left me with one of his trainers how stayed with me and showed me how to use the Floor to sealing ball, speed ball and heavy bag. He showed me drills to do and things to work on. He commented on defense and while I was taking a little rest we were watching the sparring and he said we will get your defense 100% before you even attempt to get in there. (That was very reassuring) He stayed and helped me for about 1hr and a half. The owner also kept coming over to check on me. They were both very impressed with me on the seed ball. They said I picked it up very quick and had great timing and rhythm.
The only thing I struggled with all night was punching and getting my hips into it. I do everything from the shoulders and I found it hard to coordinate my whole body.
I left that night with a buzz and sense of accomplishment and was happy that they took the time out to help me. I look forward to next week.


DMC:boxing:

They whole white collar aspect where normal business people and workers have a go could work on a bigger scale with competitions and things. Show the safety and fun side of it and it would take off.
:

I don't go to a white-collar gym, but I'm definitely a white-collar boxer. At least, I fit that demographic. And in Virginia this year, there was a Master Division (35+) round at Golden Gloves for the first time ever. I would like to compete in Golden Gloves someday. I know I'm not alone in this.

What's really interesting is the role I find myself in at my gym. I'm one of the oldest "serious" fighters; there are a few guys older than me who come in occasionally, but I'm one of three over-35 guys who train 3-4 days a week. Even though I've only been at it for a year, I find myself looked-up to as a trainer and a teacher by the young guys, both in technique as well as psychology and attitude. All of us "old guys" do.

It's a really fascinating space for a latte-sipping, Saturn-driving, nearly-40-year-old white guy to be in when a 20-year-old badass with gang tattoos asks him for tips in beating the **** out of someone. Sometimes when I step through the gym door, I feel like I've fallen down a rabbit hole.

What a great game.

After you get a few fights your gonna wanna start fighting am's... get a belt or sumthin...

you'll find out if your really good.. thoughts will fly in your head and before you know it your gonna be fighting Oneil bell on a comeback fight feature bout on espn2 wed. night fights...


lol.. Or you could just keep training wn a few fights and feel good about doing something different in life when you *ASSUMED* you were too old... lol.. they both are good ;) one takes more dedication though..

Happy you started boxing.. post on how your doing every now and then 1

Sure DA1CATAS I will let you know.

DMC:boxing:

I'm 34, and honestly, though I miss it, I'm glad my fighting days are over... My body just won't let me do the things I used to be able to do. fitness wise, reflexes, speed... It's just not the same. I guess if you've never tried being a 21 year old, top tuned fighting machine, you don't know what you're missing. But if you have, you'll KNOW fighting after a certain age just isn't the same.

I know I'm coming from a different place than you guys, but that's the way it looks from this end. If you get what you're looking for, more power to you!

I take great pride in training kids now. As a boxer it's all about ME, you know? As a trainer, the kids come first. It's just great to be able to work with kids, teach them, not just boxing, but life lessons.

Conversely, the young guys don't understand how Goddamn sore we are all the time. There's no way they can. That's the biggest thing for me. At my age my body has no sense of humor. One heavy sparring session will leave me sore for a week. In the mornings after boxing, I can barely move; my morning roadwork is mostly to shake out the kinks and the soreness.

Went back again last night for my second visit.
Had another great night, the guy was teaching me about defense and blocking punches and well as following up with punches.
Then I got a little shock when he got me to get into the ring with another guy.
You couldn't really call it sparing. but He would throw a punch and I had to block it and follow up with some punches. When I going ok with that then we had to move around the ring doing it. The after that he had my practice my defense and punch on a heavy bag, by swinging the bag and blocking it as it came at me. I learnt allot. I also watched other guys spar most of the night some were very full on. I am really glad I decided to start doing this I have lost allot of weight and I have felt strong and the best both Physically and emotionally than I have my whole life. The next thing I need to do is buy some decent headgear and sparring gloves. I know I am ranting but it feels good to share.


DMC:boxing:

There's a couple of old 40 something warriors in my gym. I guess they never won any world titles, but they have a lot of experience. Sure, the age slows them down (not mention they're not really BOXERS anymore per se) so when you spar or do drills with one of them, you obviously take it a little easier. Even still, these guys have been around the block, and definitly get the respect. At least at my gym.

I know you're not a vet, but my point is, while not many 40 year olds have their eyes on the world title, there's more out there than you think.

Keep at it man,

Hi all,

Just thought I would give an update.
Been going now for 3 weeks, and I love it. Between going to a regular gym and a boxing gym I think I am doing ok. The weight loss has been going ok, but it's getting harder to loose now, I think because I am doing weights every second day and I am building muscle. The learning to box is going ok. I have discovered that I am very uncoordinated. I had my first semi spar tonight. Not just the drills I have been doing.

The trainer put my in with an experienced guy, he told him to go easy and it was all just body shots. The idea was to move around and block and punch. I started ok then they guy opened up a little and DAM I had no idea my balance was bad I managed to block on out of every 3 punches. I got so focused on blocking I wasn't throwing any back. The guy I was against said "Hey you going to punch back". I got a few in but I was still very bad. I have a long long long long long way to go. I am not very coordinated and am not very fast but I am sure I will improve. The main thing is I am having loads of fun.
Reading the stuff you guys put on here help allot as well, So thanks
I Will report again soon.


DMC:boxing:

Here I am again.

Had my best night last night. Got myself some good sparring gloves, headgear and mouth guard. Did more of the same just shots to the body, but this time I felt more relaxed in there. I have been a little tense and I have been moving like a robot. Think it's been a combination of nerves and thinking to much. So tonight after watching a few other guys I went in and tried to stay loose. I moved around allot more and blocked his punches well. I throw back a few good jabs and put some ok combo's together. My balance felt a little improved but I still need to work on it. The guy training me was very happy and kept yelling "Keep on him, keep throwing" After one round I was wrecked. I stepped out had a rest watched some more. was about to pack up and the trainer told me he wanted me in again soon. So back again same stuff. I can see what he is doing, just working me a little harder each time. I can't get over how a few minutes are so draining and a great work out.
The only thing I need to do is throw harder punches. My trainer keeps telling me to throw harder punches, but I get unsure.

I have never really hit anyone in my life and I know I am not the hardest hitter and watching the guys sparring they hit allot harder than me. I am just a little scared to hit these guys with more power in the mid section and guts.

Anyone else had this problem when they started?

Anyway enough from me. I am back there Thursday I hope it's just as fun as last night.


DMC:boxing:

HI guy's

I have been attending a Boxing gym for a month or so now but only doing circuit classes because unless you are looking to go Amateur they are not really interested, and that’s fare enough being that I am 31.
However I found a gym a little way from where I live that teaches Boxing to anyone. So I went down tonight and had the best time and learnt allot.
They showed me how to stand and balance and throw some punches. I really enjoyed myself. There was a few people there and there was a couple my age and older. They were sparring. I found out that you work you way up to that and a few times a year they have interclub comps for people who have learnt but are to old or don't want to go Amateur. They Idea of getting into the ring scares me, but I am going to work hard and give it a go. (You only live once) I have to sit back and laugh I started going to a boxing gym for the great cardio workout to loose weight. Now scared shy little me who has never hit anyone has fallen for this crazy sport and wants to give it a try.
Just when you think you have life figured out, it surprises you.
This post isn't supposed to mean much, but I felt like I had to share my feelings.

DMC:boxing:

Sounds lovely.Guess I better start right now since I am 17.

Good Luck with your Gym :boxing:

I hope I can attend one soon(Before it's too late)

I have never really hit anyone in my life and I know I am not the hardest hitter and watching the guys sparring they hit allot harder than me. I am just a little scared to hit these guys with more power in the mid section and guts.

Anyone else had this problem when they started?



Yup.

First off: Work on your form right now; don't try to throw heavy punches until you learn to throw them correctly. You'll save yourself a lot of grief. The "right" way to punch will seem completely backwards and clumsy for awhile, but once you get it figured out, it is far more effective -- faster and harder -- than the way you've punched things all your life. (I think the "natural puncher" phenomenon is partly a result of a small percentage of people accidentally learning the correct way to punch when they were young, but I digress.) Quick, light punches with proper form will become quick, heavy punches with proper form in due time.

Secondly: don't hit your sparring partner any harder than you want to be hit. Sparring etiquette holds that the less-experienced fighter sets the bar. If you wallop an experienced fighter, expect it back. Similarly, if you tell him that you want to go light and he starts wailing on you anyway, cowboy up and gut it out, and afterwards, make sure you mention it to others at your gym -- he'll get his in due time.

Get to that gym and get at it Biolink.

Thanks for the help fraidycat.
I will keep that in mind.

My trainer says My punches are good, I think he knows I am still holding back a little to much.
I also think part of the reason I hold back a little is I know I will get it back as hard. hahahahaha

But that’s all part of the game and I expect it. I am sure some of these guys are looking forward to when they can start to go at me a bit harder, for all the punches I have given them. HAHA
Fun times ahead.


DMC:boxing:

HI Guy's back again with some more to say:ugh:

Last few weeks have been great, learning every time I go to the gym. My strength is increasing due to boxing and normal gym (Lifting weights etc...)
My reflexes are getting better I can throw punches quicker and I find I can block more. This week I felt more relaxed in the ring than I ever have. The guys at the gym tell me I am looking better. I still feel uncoordinated but they tell me I am progressing fine. Had my first spar session where we worked on the head this week. I was a little scared but I looked forward to the challenge. after some instruction and going through a few things I had a spar with a guy to the head I got hit twice flush in the face which stunned me at first (Never really been hit in the face) but I found my rhythm and kept going I landed a couple back so it was all good. The guy I was against said I did really well for my first time. I am really happy that everyone at my gym really encourages each other to do well. I am starting to get a few war wounds, a bruise here and there HAHAHA I love it.
Anyway enough of my ranting. Just thought I would continue my boxing diary.


DMC:boxing:

DMC,

I'm in a very similar situation to yours and I'm just starting out myself. I am loving this thread here. Keep up the good work. It's a very exciting read!

Thanks MikeMcC, I am glad you are enjoying it.

Tell me about what you are doing?
How old are you?


DMC:boxing:

I say "similar" situation, and it is in certain respects, but others not.

I'm not as old as you; I am currently 22 years old, but feel twice that for reasons I list below. I'm taking up boxing as a way to get back in shape while having fun while doing it. I have worked in high stress corporate environment for the past 4 years which has limited my ability to work out due to the excess workload. Prior to that I had a serious motorcycle accident which has all but destroyed my entire right leg/ankle and right shoulder (I could set off a metal detector without a problem), the end result is that I have lost all the strength that I once had and I’ve put on the pounds.

I’ve started working out at home, and I have aspirations of joining a gym after I drop some more weight and become fit enough to keep up with other boxers.

I have stopped the lunch outings with co-workers and have limited myself to a strict 1500 calorie a day diet. I’ve also purchased a heavy bag, speed bag, and gloves/wraps and have started working out for at least 30 minutes per day. I also join my wife when she takes our dog jogging (she slows down for me). I will eventually work up to an hour but right now that’s asking a lot of my leg/shoulder and of my stamina.

The reason I say our situations are similar is because of this “just for fun” mentality I see you talk about, along with the realization that you probably aren’t going to become the next Mike Tyson. It’s the introspective attitude that you have that I like and I think comes through in your writing. I find these posts of your progress quite inspiring.

-Mike

Thanks Mike it makes me feel good to know my boxing diary is inspiring you.

Sorry to hear about your accident:(

However it's good to see you are bouncing back and giving this a go. The key is to take it slow and go one step at a time. I think half the battle is finding a good gym with great guy's that help each other. The other half of the battle is with yourself. just keep at it, but listen to your body. You will know when you can push yourself a little and when you can't.
I don't know who is inspiring who, after what you have been through I think it's inspiring that you are fighting back and having a go.
Good luck, and let me know how you go.

DMC:boxing:

Well done for starting DMC!

I'm 28 years old and i've been boxing for the last 3 months and I'm absolutely loving it! Since starting I've been eating, sleeping and dreaming boxing! I've always been a casual fan and would watch whenever I got the chance, but now I'm just into it in such a massive way! Has it done the same for yourself?

I'm hoping to get into amateur bouts around early 2008. It really gives me something to aim for. So far my coaches have been very good and they've been impressed by my attitude, ability and power!

Good luck and keep up the good work DMC, you'll get loads of good advice from quite a few on this forum!

I'm 6'3" and 242 pounds with not too much body fat to lose. So I think even once I've shifted my excess pounds I'll still fighting at Super Heavyweight in the amateurs.
:boxing:

Thanks Darkstranger,
and well done for giving it a go.

I was never a fan of boxing, to be honest I thought it was a bit barbaric. I was reluctant to start at first. I was scared.

But my brother told me it was the best way to get in shape and loose some pounds, and my new attitude and outlook is to try something once a year that scares you. This scared me!

Since day 1 I have loved it. I had no idea it was so hard. It's very technical and you really need to think.
People judge this sport to quickly (I was one of them).

Now I am a fan and I go and watch boxing when I can.

DMC:boxing:

Hi all, back again.

Tonight I faced my first Southpaw. DAM it's hard.

I have been going well, I am starting to feel the rhythm and blocking and moving ok. I still need to work on moving around the ring more I tend to plant myself and throw punches they move back but I keep throwing into thin air. (Dumb ass)
But they guy's at the gym and my trainer tell me I am looking better and catching on quick. Anyway back to tonight, So the trainer thought it might be interesting to confuse me and stick me with a southpaw, I had no idea someone in a reversed position would be so hard. I also found it interesting how all the stuff we learn sticks in the brain(Sub conscious) and we do without thinking. I am only new to this but I think my brain has started to get the feel and I am doing things without thinking to much. Now here i am with a southpaw and we start moving around but I felt really really awkward and right out of place. It was like a red light was going off in my head going this is wrong. Anyway I started moving left to cut off his left hand and found it worked ok. Anyway only did one round with him but I found out how hard it can be to be in there with a lefty.
I was a little pleased with myself tonight I landed my first decent head punch. My last opponent for the night, we were just free sparring to the head, he was allot heaver than me and had a hard punch so I found blocking his punches difficult. My trainer has had me moving left and right more trying to open up more places of opportunity to sneak in and get a punch through my opponents defense. anyway we are going at it and finally my slow 31 year old brain reacted at the right time. he through a straight right I moved left saw he was open and I came right in with a left, I nailed him flush in the face with some decent power as well.
Now what I should of done was keep swinging punches but NO I was:

a) Stunned I landed a flush punch.
&
b) Worried about him.

So I paused for a second and said sorry and asked if he was ok, to which he answered with a very nice left jab to my face. My trainer and some other guys were almost on the ground laughing. we kept going for another few minutes and I got him a few more times in the jaw.
Anyway after he told me he was fine and can take more than I gave him. We both laughed about me stopping to say sorry.
Everyone at my gym is so supportive of one another.
I am having so much fun and I am learning every time I go there.
But it's only going to get harder as these guys are taking it easy on me at the moment.

Hope everyone has a great week
Thanks for reading, I will post again soon.

DMC:boxing:

Haha, i've seen a few guys who've started boxing say sorry when they've landed a decent crack.

I know i went through a phase at the very start where it is difficult to get used to the idea of actively hitting someone, when your not cross or angry. Boxing is such a mental game.

Sounds like your loving it DMC. Glad you are getting some decent sparring. Good to hear the update.

Everything I have read here exemplifies the poor quality training so typical of these modern times. Sparring after only a few weeks of sparse training is not only inadvisable, it is just plain dangerous. How many hundred posts in this forum have we seen from guys who have been seriously hurt from premature sparring? I will admit I did allow one kid to spar after a 3 week course of defensive training drills, but this kid was one hell of an athlete. I seriously doubt that any of the people posting in this thread has this kid's natural talent nor his athletic background. Everybody likes to claim they are "going easy" but that only happens if the gym is full of *******. In a real boxing club freindship ends when you climb into the ring. Once you start throwing some heavy leather somebody can get hurt if they don't know what they are doing. Sparring is the worst place to learn anything, the best place is training drills. Ask any sergeant in the army.

. Everybody likes to claim they are "going easy" but that only happens if the gym is full of *******. In a real boxing club freindship ends when you climb into the ring.

...................

:bsflag:

...................

Everything I have read here exemplifies the poor quality training so typical of these modern times. Sparring after only a few weeks of sparse training is not only inadvisable, it is just plain dangerous. How many hundred posts in this forum have we seen from guys who have been seriously hurt from premature sparring? I will admit I did allow one kid to spar after a 3 week course of defensive training drills, but this kid was one hell of an athlete. I seriously doubt that any of the people posting in this thread has this kid's natural talent nor his athletic background. Everybody likes to claim they are "going easy" but that only happens if the gym is full of *******. In a real boxing club freindship ends when you climb into the ring. Once you start throwing some heavy leather somebody can get hurt if they don't know what they are doing. Sparring is the worst place to learn anything, the best place is training drills. Ask any sergeant in the army.

Your probably right, However in defence of my gym, we are not an ordinary run of the mill place. There are no Amateurs at our gym and no pro's. Our trainer has had decades of both boxing when he was young and training fighters. Our gym is made up of men and women who want to learn to box but have no desire to prove anything in an amateur or professional way. If we had boxers who were competing they would train very differently. We have a few boxers at our gym who should go Amateur but don't. Why because there not interested in competing they just want to learn a skill and train hard. The sparring I have been doing has been very light and controlled. quiet often I am throwing punches and they are blocking and throwing some in slow motion so I can correctly execute what I am working on. it's only been the last 2 weeks that the sparring has stepped up a bit. All sparring sessions are well supervised and if the trainer feels anyone is in danger or tired or in trouble he yells stop and everyone stops right away. there is also another guy in the ring keeping a close eye on things. We hold in house comps once a month were people who the trainer thinks are ready get a chance to compete against other people in the gym. No one gets in there trying to knock the other person out. everyone tries to score points by Skill not by force. We have a few past Champions and current pro boxers pop in from time to time to help out and watch what’s going on, and help out, we also have Ameteur boxers and trainers come down to our comps to learn control and execution in our comps because they have to hold back.
You may not agree with how the training in this gym is done, but I bet if you walked into 100 gyms all would do things different. Just because it's different doesn't mean it's wrong.


DMC:boxing:

Hi guy's just a small add-on.

When I started this whole experience and posting on here
I weighed 90kg (198lb) I am 176cm tall.

I weighed myself today just to see how I have been going.
Now I am 77kg (169lb)

I can't believe I have lost so much. I know I look different but to see it in numbers hits me more.

Thanks guy's for your support and help on here. Without reading many posts on this forum I might not have done this well.

The running and boxing is paying off.


DMC:boxing:

There is little doubt that traditional boxing training is a good way to cut weight and get in shape. As a matter of fact most guys don't have to try to lose weight, it just happens automatically. Historically boxers have been rather narrow looking fellows. The bulk and excessive muscularity we see these days is largely a function of modern training which leads to lack of proper boxing fitness. Tonight the muscular Edison Miranda run out of gas by the third round. A man who has problems making weight will nearly always buckle when he is put under pressure.

...................

:bsflag:

...................


I am aware that some boxing clubs which do not allow heavy sparring. Jim Watt, once super-featherweight champion, wrote a book called Watt is My Name, where he describes training in such places. There are other clubs where you will hear the old expression "beat a man into shape." Robert Anasi, an amateur boxer, wrote book called The Gloves where he tells of his experience training for the New York Golden Gloves at some hole in the wall boxing club run by a nutcase from Puerto Rico. Needless to say anybody training in that place was sure to get their heads punched in. Some of the experiences people can have in boxing are truly bizarre!

If you read my posts you will know that I am strong on defense but I have never advocated ***** sparring. If you don't get the right kind of action in the gym you will never be prepared for what some opponents can do to you in the ring. The problem is if you allow the guys to throw lots of leather while sparring, that is what they do. Telling them to go easy is a waste of time. If they got any fight in them that is usually the end result. The only way to get around the problem is to be sure they are ready for it.

If you read my posts you will know that I am strong on defense but I have never advocated ***** sparring. If you don't get the right kind of action in the gym you will never be prepared for what some opponents can do to you in the ring.

I've read The Gloves.

There is a huge difference between "***** sparring," and "friendship ending once you step in the ring." I have sparring partners I throw heavy with -- wind-knocked-out-of-you / bloodied-noses / seeing-electric-purple-Cheetos heavy -- and we are friends inside and out of the ring. It's a mark of honor among us that we think each other capable of taking what we can dish out. Did I mention I hit like a truck? None of us are in this to hurt each other, but it is fun as hell to play rough. We know we learn best when there is an "oh, ****," factor in play.

I find it hard to believe that you have such an extensive background as a trainer as you claim, and yet you can't seem to comprehend the mindset of a recreational boxer who's constantly seeking to test his limits.

I've read The Gloves.

There is a huge difference between "***** sparring," and "friendship ending once you step in the ring." I have sparring partners I throw heavy with -- wind-knocked-out-of-you / bloodied-noses / seeing-electric-purple-Cheetos heavy -- and we are friends inside and out of the ring. It's a mark of honor among us that we think each other capable of taking what we can dish out. Did I mention I hit like a truck? None of us are in this to hurt each other, but it is fun as hell to play rough. We know we learn best when there is an "oh, ****," factor in play.

I find it hard to believe that you have such an extensive background as a trainer as you claim, and yet you can't seem to comprehend the mindset of a recreational boxer who's constantly seeking to test his limits.


All I know is what I have seen and what I have experienced. Sparring sessions get out of hand, it happens all the time. Not all the kids in the gym have a boxers body. They have limited athletic potential and they haven't got the durability to prematurely play rough. Haven't you seen the posts from some of these kids who describe the injuries they got while sparring? I remember seening one kid get his jaw broken the first time he sparred. It wasn't to suprising that was the last time he sparred. I never saw him again. This was 40 years ago, yet things like that are still happening today.

Tonight was hard:scared:

After doing some warming up, some speed ball and skipping and stuff. I thought I better get my **** on and join in the sparring with the other guy's. I was running a little late so time was ticking away.

Anyway. I am standing there watching two other guy's have a go. Now I have been doing fairly light to average sparring nothing hard or to serious. And every time its ether to the head or to the body. Not really both at the moment. Anyway they stop, the trainer looks at me and says time to play then he points at this other guy. Not I was instantly worried because the guy he picked was a little scary. I watched him spar this guy in our gym who is dam good, and he really went hard, he doesn't smile or talk to much. I just think he is there to train and go at his pace if we are ready or not. So we get in and my trainer reminds me to keep my guard up and move. Then I am waiting for him to tell this guy I am a little new. But nothing hmmmmmmm.
Anyway we start we move around I throw some jabs that miss he through one or two that I blocked , so far so good. Next thing I know he moves and before I know it I have been nailed with a right hook straight to the jaw then a jab. I was stunned because they were quicker than I expected and allot harder than I expected.

My trainer yells come on keep the block up. I swing more he blocks, I block his all is good. Then again he comes in and nails me with 2 or 3 hard punches. By this stage I panic a little I have never had it this rough before, in the back of my mind I wait to here the trainer yell stop...but it doest come. Stunned my guard is not good so again he comes and get me with 2 more punches. My trainer yells to me keep at him come on, get in there. I quickly notice other guy's in the gym stop and watching. This is a new experience because I have never been in a fight before and never hit anyone before I started this. This guy keeps at me I get a few light punches in but most miss. By this stage I am starting to get pissed off and angry. The other guys in the gym yell out to me to get in there. I start moving forward and he lands a hard hook to the side of my head without thinking I throw I right he blocks then I throw a hard jab and nail him square in the face, then I throw a right hook and get him in the head I must of hit him hard because his head guard was twisted and his left eye and face were red. Then the trainer yells stop.

He didn't really touch gloves after he just jumped out, don't know why, and he packed up so he was done sparring.
I climb out and look at my trainer he smiles at me and tells me what I was doing wrong. Then he says that was a bit of a test to see what I would do when it gets hard. I knew this day would come, I couldn't have it easy forever. I just didn't expect it so soon.
I sparred a couple of times after that but nothing as rough or heavy. I felt bad all night just felt I didn't do well. The other guy's are telling me I am improving and doing great, so I suppose I better believe them.
As I was driving home after I was still a little wound up, even angry. I think more angry at myself for letting him hit me so many times. It's an odd feeling because I have never been in a fight before.
But this hasn't scared me off, in fact It has made me want more, because I will be dammed if I am going to get punched like that again, and I am not going to let this beat me.
Besides I have a score to settle with this guy and I won't be so easy to beat next time.



DMC:boxing:

that experience will make you a better fighter in the long run.

Good Luck.

Thanks Z-Rex,

I am a old guy at this 31. I started it as a way to get fit and learn how to defend myself. I have no intention to box as an Armature. But I have found I am getting very addicted to this. HAHAHAHA

DMC:boxing:

Im 30 myself, I feel your pain, literally. I started a year ago, but broke my foot so I was sidetracked for a few months. Im back to training now.

Good luck.

Hey guy's
Back again, Nothing much to report. All is going well, and I am loving this sport. Between Boxing and going to a regular gym I have lost weight and gained some good muscle. My upper body strength is allot better I feel stronger and my confidence has gone way up. I have been sparring against harder opponents lately. some of the more experience guys at the gym and there going a little harder at me. It was a shock at first but now I am enjoying the challenge. One of them said he has to go harder because my defense and punches are getting harder.
I still feel a little uncoordinated in there but that is going slowly.

What I need is some tips and advice.

I have a tendency to plant my feet and throw punches they move back or out of the way and I am throwing at thin air. I am trying to move in when I am throwing and put my body weight behind it, but I suppose I need to keep working on it. Anyone got any tips?

Also When I have thrown some punches and they come at me when it gets tough I tend to pull my head back and drop my guard to get out of the way, It makes matters worse and they have an open target. then I get whacked all over the place. Anyone got any tips I can use to stay in there with my guard up and defend myself?

Anyway enough for now
Peace out


DMC:boxing:

wow,im 16 and i thought it was too late for me train,i guess not and i am looking foward to being an ammature.Good Luck mr.DMC

good for you

Also When I have thrown some punches and they come at me when it gets tough I tend to pull my head back and drop my guard to get out of the way, It makes matters worse and they have an open target. then I get whacked all over the place. Anyone got any tips I can use to stay in there with my guard up and defend myself?
:

Get a pal to watch you - and then you can watch them in return. Get them to count how many times you made that mistake - then however many times it is, do something horribly painful - like 5 burpees for every time you drop guard.

hey, you said that you tend to drop your guard, and move your head back, my only advice would be for you to improve your footwork, so that your stepping back rather than leaning back. Also if you do more time shadow boxing inside the ring, and skipping around the edges of the ring for reps of 3 minutes that might help.

Im 35 and looking for a last couple of bouts, been training for a couple of months doing what I can with no gym.

If you want to learn about boxing and its base theories then a low key gym with other low key people is perfect for you. But if you want to learn to fight you will need to step in with some dogs and just plain throw, you'll see what youve got.

It seems that today there are few gyms structured for the fight. Most of the gyms today seem to be structured for little combat. They are about bringing in peoples money, showing them a thing or two and then building the bank account of the gym. Find a real gym and you find guys showing you a thing or three aswell as a room full of hungry fighters. They are trying to build fighters in these gyms, not just a bank account.

Aswell, it seems to me that every gym that I have been to that was structured for the common man had trainers that didnt know ****. If these cats tried to train people in a real fighting gym they would be laughed out of that gym and would look sorely out of place.

Decide what you want. Do you want just an aerobic workout or do you want to learn to fight like a dog. Its not all made up to be fun. The training is the hardest part of it all. The fighting in competition is the fun part. Its your choice............Rockin':boxing:

Thanks guy's for your help, I will try some of your suggestions out.

Rockin' The gym i go to is great The guy helping us all out was a great boxer in his time and does a great job at our gym. He has offered suggestions and help, I was only asking on here to get more than one idea. someone may have an idea that works better.
Unfortunately where I am in Australia, Boxing gyms only cater for people who want to box as an Amateur or Pro. There not interested in anyone else, especially people who are 31yrs old.
I get help from the gym owner and guy's at the gym, but I thought I would see what some of the wisepeople on here had some advice.
Thanks Rockin' for your suggestion but I don't have that option of going anywhere else at this point.



DMC:boxing:

hey guys I'm only 16 but I got a real ****ty lower back. I keep in good shape, work out hard five days a weak. I've fought before but that's in the street and that's real different from full length boxing rounds. and I'm not just *****ing about a little back pain it's pretty significant but I love boxing and I have a pretty high pain tolerance. do you think I should give this sport a shot, or my back would really hold me back too much?

oh and good luck dmc, sorry if I changed the topic of your thread this just seemed like a good place to ask for advice like this

Hi Star of David,

Welcome!

Not at all, feel free to ask for help in here.
Back pain can be a real *****, but your only 16 I think if you work on strengthening your back muscles you will have less pain and fewer problems with your back.
However I am no expert maybe some others on here might help you with some advice.

Why not have a go, It's better to have a go than spend your life wondering "What if"
I only wish I had of been interested when I was 16 instead of starting at 31 lol.

DMC:boxing: