ive been boxing for a month now, getting down the basics quick, i been putting down taller guys in my gym. But the thing is.. my reaction time is to slow, and i tend to get sloppy...How can i speed up my reaction time? and how do i strengthen my defense other then shadow boxing???

I fihgt on the inside alot, i move in after jabs, but i always walk into right hands..

And everytime i get an open shot, i think too much... any advice?

Countering is all mind based, it takes experience to know what punch will come after what punch, effective timing and what every physical movement your opponent does will result in. Mayweather didn't become one overnight, I suggest the next time you spar forget the offense, work sololy on focusing on your opponent's moves and reacting as quick as you can. Blank out your mind from everything else except "What is he going to throw at me?"

Focus as well, I noticed when in a scurmish of flurries(me and the other guy swinging) Things tend to seem slow motion and if your truly focused your reaction is usually the right one so there should be nothing to think about...

For instance, Just recently I was sparring with 2 other buddies after work, takin turns and changing partners any how I was in the ring wiht my buddy that is maybe an inch shorter but atleast a 2-4 inch reach disadvantage(I have long arms) He came into the pocket and threw a right hook, at that moment everything slowed down(think of the matrix) I fired my own right hook, his landed on my cheek bone and immediatly after my connected sending him back a few steps...
My buddy watching was like(that was the coolest thing, you looked through his punch and smoked him) I was like man I should have got my gaurd up when I threw(my hand was a lil low)....
Then that was somethign i worked on in similar situations...

If your thinking about what you should do and not reacting, that is hesitation IMO.. Fighting has alot to do with instinct and reaction.. Not much time to think when exchanging punches, myabe when you break apart, think about how to counter but then you have to go do it..

Bike in the city, then your reaction time will improve. Practice builds confidence, and adrenaline helps. If you don't build up adrenaline when you fight chances are fighting is not for you.

Eventually with enough practice and sparring your thought process while boxing will increase. If your young this shoulden't be a long time for you to pick up.

Its good that you think, if you make a mistake - you were thinking about it and that means you learn from it, when you in training you have to think alot.

I mean it's only been a month. I don't think all of the great counter punchers had it overnight. Sure maybe someone like Mayweather or whomever may have had the knack at an early age but if any of us were as good as Mayweather we'd be fighting and training right now and not online so much. DAMNIT! But it just takes a lot of time and patience and practice practice practice until it just becomes natural muscle memory for you to react and counter. Sparing lightly where as you're not too worried about being pummeled to the ground also helps. Sometimes you just can't learn anything with those guys who just like to get in the gym and try to be the tough man. So sparring with someone willing to teach and take it easy so you can press out combinations and counter makes it easier.