I'm new to the forums and I am interested in learning how to box because a new boxing place (I can't really call it a gym) opened near me. I'm thinking of possibly starting in the late spring or early summer but first I want to know what you guys think I should do in terms of changing my diet and starting a weight program before actually starting. From posts I've seen many people say that weight training isn't as important as most people think, but personally I think I need to gain a little muscle particularly in the upperbody. I'm 16 years old 6'1 and currently around 163 lbs, I'm usually closer to 160-161 lbs. but I recently dislocated my ankle which has kept me off my feet and thus some weight gain. I am a sprinter on my high school track team and fairly athletic (I can dunk a basketball if this means anything). I'm not much of a gym person, but my school does have a weight room and from my limited experience in there I can bench around 170 (my highest was like 180). My diet is pretty high in proteins and carbs, but I try to keep it somewhat balanced. Any advice would be helpful, sorry if I haven't posted enough info just tell me what else you need to know.

That's cool that you are interested in boxing.

I can tell you this, you just need to go to the gym and start working at it. From my experience there is nothing that can prepare you for boxing other than boxing.
I went into the gym in great basketball shape and weight trained regularly. I left feeling muscles I never knew existed.

Just jump into it and start slow. You'll do fine.

You don't have to be very strong to be a good boxer. If you get 100 of your 163 pounds concentrated in the square inch or 2 of your last 3 knuckles and tag the guy on the jaw, he's going down. It's all about leverage, not muscular power. At your size, you will be relying on movement and correct distancing, which means you'll need conditioning. Learn the basics and have faith in your trainer. If he's getting you killed, he's an a**hole, so find another trainer or do your own thing.

Great post and every word a nugget of truth.

Just jump in and listen to everything your told your trainer tells you and after a few weeks you'll see everything flows nicely