Hey guys. I sprained my ankle sparring on Wed. Its real annoying, because now I can't train. Its my first down time since May in terms of intense training/sparring. Even my past injuries this summer (broken nose, bruised ribs, strained bicep, sprained wrist, elbow and shoulder pains) have not prevented training, so this one is a real *****.

Anyway, I was watching the video, which I posted below (only temporarily- I will take down soon), and I noticed that my footwork got sloppy right around the time of the sprain. In all three rounds, I never crossed my feet once, then the first time I got sloppy and crossed them, I sprained my ankle- so lesson learned. I was sparring someone bigger than myself who is 210 and was trying to move a lot, but I got a little too frantic and landed on my ankle all wrong. In he video you can here a snap.

That being said, I don't think my boots (Adidas Box Hog) offer enough protection to the ankles. I am now in the market for a high boot. What boots do you use and/or recommend. Thanks.

Here are two rounds of sparring from our session. the sprain occurs at the very end of the second vid...

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.... ankle sprain....


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you have alot of spraining injuries in the past, you sure you do enough warmup?

I gotta be honest with you, your footwork is atrocious... I don't see the point in that sparring at all, when you're doing nearly everything fundamentally wrong, and no one's giving you pointers, or stopping the action to tell you what to do? You should be doing sparring drills, where specific things are targeted (like how to move your feet correctly!), instead of free sparring where you're driven the wrong way around over and over. You're not learning **** from what you did in those videos, except how to do things wrong. The more you do that, the harder it's gonna be to correct...

On a sidenote, I can see that your BF% is definitely pretty low. Probably not 4%, but pretty low all the same. :)

I gotta be honest with you, your footwork is atrocious... I don't see the point in that sparring at all, when you're doing nearly everything fundamentally wrong, and no one's giving you pointers, or stopping the action to tell you what to do? You should be doing sparring drills, where specific things are targeted (like how to move your feet correctly!), instead of free sparring where you're driven the wrong way around over and over. You're not learning **** from what you did in those videos, except how to do things wrong. The more you do that, the harder it's gonna be to correct...

On a sidenote, I can see that your BF% is definitely pretty low. Probably not 4%, but pretty low all the same. :)

ok. you see anything that wasn't crap?!? any pointers on footwork?

you have alot of spraining injuries in the past, you sure you do enough warmup?

hi thanks for the response. those arent all sparring injuries. obviously the nose and ribs are. the bicep thing actually came from having to teach a dodgeball class at work and winging the ball as hard as i could, then sparring the next day made it worse- that was stupid..

the wrists and elbow pains were injuries that are becoming less frequent as a result of adaptation. my joints weren't accustommed to throwing so many punches (particularly at the heavy bag and mitts) at first. I do warmup thoroughly and do a light stretch before i work out. i do an exhaustive 20-30 second hold-per-stretch stretch routine at the end of my workout as well.

I dont know if you aready know this but your coordination isnt all that good. In boxing...for the most part...boxer with good coordination>boxer with lesser coordination.You did alot of movement so atleast you didnt stand there to get hit. But your movement can use improvement. What can I say you still gots lots to learn just like everyone else. Just keep going into the gym. Practice makes perfect. Watch alota boxing matches.

I dont know if you aready know this but your coordination isnt all that good. In boxing...for the most part...boxer with good coordination>boxer with lesser coordination.You did alot of movement so atleast you didnt stand there to get hit. But your movement can use improvement. What can I say you still gots lots to learn just like everyone else. Just keep going into the gym. Practice makes perfect. Watch alota boxing matches.

yeah- tons to work on. i am in really great shape, so thats a plus. i also have a very strong will, so i am going to get better. nothing deters me in or out of the ring when i want something. but, of course, the skills have a ways to go. as i get it all together my policy is jab a lot and move a lot. i take a good shot, aside from a nose that loves to bleed (though it is getting much more resilient) but i dont see the need to prove it. i need to work on my footwork, slipping, countering, punching technique, speed- yeah pretty much everything. anyone have any specifics they see as to how the movement can be more efficient?!?

also, anyone wanna recommend better boxing boots. im also thinking that perhaps i can just tie these a lot tighter... i never want to roll an ankle again...

yeah- tons to work on. i am in really great shape, so thats a plus. i also have a very strong will, so i am going to get better. nothing deters me in or out of the ring when i want something. but, of course, the skills have a ways to go. as i get it all together my policy is jab a lot and move a lot. i take a good shot, aside from a nose that loves to bleed (though it is getting much more resilient) but i dont see the need to prove it. i need to work on my footwork, slipping, countering, punching technique, speed- yeah pretty much everything. anyone have any specifics they see as to how the movement can be more efficient?!?

also, anyone wanna recommend better boxing boots. im also thinking that perhaps i can just tie these a lot tighter... i never want to roll an ankle again...

You were running, you were doing good to stick that jab out there but your movement was very inefficient and only gave him more confidence.

Take this injury as time to develop a style that suits you.. it's not my place to recommend anything specific but talk to your trainer about how you want to work in the ring and build from it.. watch tapes of fighters who are similar

**** footwork.
Chin up in the air.
One jab at a time.
No body shots.
One shot and move.
Too predictable.
Slapping right hand.
Need to improve foot speed.
Left hook looked extremely weak and none landed anywhere near.
You need to duck to throw body shots.
Quit running so much.

What weight are ya? You look lanky as ****. You look about 120-130.

But, yeah get back to the basics you shouldn't have been sparring.

You were running, you were doing good to stick that jab out there but your movement was very inefficient and only gave him more confidence.

Take this injury as time to develop a style that suits you.. it's not my place to recommend anything specific but talk to your trainer about how you want to work in the ring and build from it.. watch tapes of fighters who are similar

thanks for the feedback. the guy im sparring is actually my trainer. he fights heavy-super heavy in the masters and is undefeated (actualy, one blatant robbery loss out-of-state). he wants me to use a refined version of this style, though with improved efficiency in my movement. basically- he wants me to fight tall (which will suit me at 165 where i should be one of the taller guys) and he wants me to use a lot of movement, and work off the jab to set up the right hand. i watch a lot of boxing but havent found one guy i want to emulate. my favorite guys are the ones i wouldnt use as an example because they were soo gifted that they broke the rules like RJJ and Ali....

**** footwork.
Chin up in the air.
One jab at a time.
No body shots.
One shot and move.
Too predictable.
Slapping right hand.
Need to improve foot speed.
Left hook looked extremely weak and none landed anywhere near.
You need to duck to throw body shots.
Quit running so much.

What weight are ya? You look lanky as ****
But, yeah get back to the basics you shouldn't have been sparring.

ouch. currently 178. who knows what weight i'll gain by the time i am back to training. we havent decided on fighting 165 or 178 yet. itll be a while before i fight. at least until january....

if you're like me and got weak ankle's.....i say get some high tops...it looks like you got the low tops in that vid....just get some high tops, it don't gotta be expensive, buy what you can afford.

thanks for the feedback. the guy im sparring is actually my trainer. he fights heavy-super heavy in the masters and is undefeated (actualy, one blatant robbery loss out-of-state). he wants me to use a refined version of this style, though with improved efficiency in my movement. basically- he wants me to fight tall (which will suit me at 165 where i should be one of the taller guys) and he wants me to use a lot of movement, and work off the jab to set up the right hand. i watch a lot of boxing but havent found one guy i want to emulate. my favorite guys are the ones i wouldnt use as an example because they were soo gifted that they broke the rules like RJJ and Ali....

thats great he sounds like a good trainer, for some movement i'd watch winky wright he's very efficient and intelligent in all of his movement. Also watch some lanky guys like Hearns. Best of luck.

i know this has already been said but, you need to focus on your movement. and not just in sparring or in foorwork drills, but all the time. every now and then when you're working the bag or shadow boxing stop midstride and check your foot placement. don't try box and move on your toes until basic movement is instinctive to you.

you are pushing to much with your jab, you should snap it

No offence but I think you need more training before you fight in January, you are in good physical shape but really ,really wooden in the ring and have ALOT to learn. You should stop the weights completely and just concentrate on boxing to get some fluidity in your movement which is seriously lacking. Boxers who start younger have this but its is harder when you start late like yourself. Having said that if you got the dedication and will and get yourself a good trainer you will get there, but maybe 6 more months before you fight.

January should be plenty of time, IF your trainer starts teaching you, instead of bullying you around in the ring...

think basketball defensive drills. left to right, right to left.

January should be plenty of time, IF your trainer starts teaching you, instead of bullying you around in the ring...

Well he would need to improve alot before January or he could get knocked out unless his opponent is not very good! I think at least 6 months more, its different for the littler guys but at his weight fights can end fast with inexperience.

You could practice movement in the ring, moving one direction in a circular motion and quickly changing, it will build up strength and balance in your ankles. Its hard to explain but its like skipping to one side.
Instead of trying to copy a favourite boxer or Thomas Hearns like someone said, I would just work on your jab, doubles and triple, straight right and keeping your hands up. If you get this right you will score effectively and be able to win fights at novice level. You got a good build and reach for your weight and when you get your balance and timing right your straight lefts and right will be very damaging and effective and score points which what its all about.

Later you can work on more movement, slipping, counters, more combos etc. My opinion anway.

I have a problem with my ankles also when i wear the wrong shoes boxing.... Good job for having balls to get in the ring. Once the tension moves away you will start to do things better. Watch more boxing and you will be able to see more and judge your own videos.


I see ya got sorta killed by everyone for the foot movement and such....Everyone boxer does something wrong.. no one is perfect ...just make sure you can see things for yourself....and as long as your working to correct them, No problem.. just train and make sure ya win in January.

Get to da money.

I have a problem with my ankles also when i wear the wrong shoes boxing.... Good job for having balls to get in the ring. Once the tension moves away you will start to do things better. Watch more boxing and you will be able to see more and judge your own videos.


I see ya got sorta killed by everyone for the foot movement and such....Everyone boxer does something wrong.. no one is perfect ...just make sure you can see things for yourself....and as long as your working to correct them, No problem.. just train and make sure ya win in January.

Get to da money.

yea thanks man. thats my philosophy. when i get the worst of a sparring session, i relish it as an opportunity to see what i did wrong. i record these sessions sometimes, not to see how dope iam- cause obviously i got tons of work to do, but to see what it is i need to improve.

punchdrunk. thanks for your feedback. i think free sparring is not a bad thing. ive already had about 15 sparring sessions and i improve tremendously from one to the next. it gives me a chance to see real time punches and gain fight-simulation experience and any experience is good. you can slip all day long while punching the bags, but unless there's a punch coming at you, it is not the same. the mitts can emulate, but the risk is not there. i think we need to add more technical sparring in the mix as well though. ankles feeling a little better. should resume training friday...

should resume training friday...

there you go, that's what you've got to do! just keep working at it, you'll get better.

punchdrunk. thanks for your feedback. i think free sparring is not a bad thing. ive already had about 15 sparring sessions and i improve tremendously from one to the next. it gives me a chance to see real time punches and gain fight-simulation experience and any experience is good. you can slip all day long while punching the bags, but unless there's a punch coming at you, it is not the same. the mitts can emulate, but the risk is not there. i think we need to add more technical sparring in the mix as well though. ankles feeling a little better. should resume training friday...

Yeah, free sparring as you call it, is a good thing. But not when you're doing everything wrong continuously. Is there any reason your trainer couldn't say stuff like "move to your right," as he's walking you down? His ego, maybe?
Sparring the way you just did, with no correction, will just make the mistakes you're making second nature. You're learning to move to your left with horrible footwork in those clips you've posted.

i got dodgy ankles mate always sprain them, wear lonsdale typhoon think they are really good on your feet good support when you tie them round your ankles really tightly

I know im in no position to talk but i think im better then you.
Last part of the second video was pretty funny