Shakur Stevenson at his press conference ahead of his fight with Teofimo Lopez. Photo taken on January 29, 2026.

Eddie Hearn says Shakur Stevenson bound for Zuffa Boxing

•3 hours ago

3 Comments

Anthony Joshua and Kristian Prenga size each other up in London on June 1, 2026

Anthony Joshua warns Kristian Prenga that he's digging his own grave

•9 hours ago

2 Comments

Huge underdog Andy Ruiz Jnr stands over Anthony Joshua in New York on June 1, 2019

On This Day: Andy Ruiz Jnr stuns Anthony Joshua in New York

•16 hours ago

Read more

OShaquieFosterShakurStevenson

Victorious O’Shaquie Fosters calls for showdown with Shakur Stevenson

Declan Warrington

•1 day ago

12 Comments

FosterFord01

Masterful O’Shaquie Foster tames Raymond Ford to retain WBC 130lbs title

Declan Warrington

•1 day ago

5 Comments

Dmitry

Dmitry Bivol dominates overmatched Michael Eifert, makes it look all too easy

•2 days ago

7 Comments

FosterFordWeighIn01

Eddie Hearn anticipates Texan launchpad for Raymond Ford

Declan Warrington

•2 days ago

Read more

Benavidez_Mikaelian copy

WBC to Noel Mikaelian: Fight David Benavidez next, or else

•3 days ago

3 Comments

Opetaia_Mikaelian

Jai Opetaia, Noel Mikaelian finalizing Ring cruiserweight showdown

•3 days ago

5 Comments

Rico Verhoeven [right] clouts Oleksandr Usyk in Egypt on May 23, 2026

The Beltline: Kickboxer Rico Verhoeven becomes the poster boy for boxing’s WTF era

•3 days ago

1 Comment

O'Shaquie Foster raises a glove following his December 2025 victory over Stephen Fulton.

‘Special’ O’Shaquie Foster is the smartest fighter Bobby Benton has trained

Declan Warrington

•4 days ago

1 Comment

Rico Verhoeven at the London press conference for his fight against Oleksandr Usyk. (April 14, 2026)

Rico Verhoeven happy to take on all-comers at heavyweight - with one exception

•4 days ago

5 Comments

Gervonta Davis looks up at a person speaking at a microphone during a press conference on September 22, 2025, for Davis' exhibition match with Jake Paul.

Tank in Trouble: Arrest warrant issued for Gervonta 'Tank' Davis

•5 days ago

11 Comments

Vasiliy Lomachneko

Vasiliy Lomachenko wants Charly Suarez for comeback, official says

•5 days ago

4 Comments

International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Holly Holm waves at a December 2025 press conference, days ahead of her first boxing match in years.

Holly Holm hopes to ride Stephanie Han rematch to showdowns with Ronda Rousey, Katie Taylor

•5 days ago

1 Comment

O'Shaquie Foster (left) and Raymond Ford face off at the press conference. (April 24, 2026)

‘Way better’ Raymond Ford plays down O’Shaquie Foster’s résumé

Declan Warrington

•6 days ago

3 Comments

Agit Kabayel celebrates his February 2025 victory over Zhilei Zhang.

WBC order for Oleksandr Usyk-Agit Kabayel to be next remains

•6 days ago

1 Comment

Rico Verhoeven, with coach Peter Fury, is announced to the crowd ahead of his fight with Oleksandr Usyk

'If Oleksandr Usyk didn't take Rico Verhoeven seriously he would have been stopped'

•6 days ago

9 Comments

Mark Lyson steps in to stop the fight with Verhoeven on the ropes and Usyk set to celebrate

Oleksandr Usyk-Rico Verhoeven: Peter Fury confronts and then forgives the referee on flight home

BoxingScene Staff

•1 week ago

21 Comments

Frank Warren at the press conference for Fabio Wardley-Daniel Dubois. (May 7, 2026)

Frank Warren: Oleksandr Usyk must be stripped if Rico Verhoeven rematch comes next

BoxingScene Staff

•1 week ago

16 Comments

Oleksandr Usyk has his hand held aloft by Mark Lyson having defeated Rico Verhoeven

Boxing owes it to Rico Verhoeven to ensure Oleksandr Usyk rematch happens

•1 week ago

17 Comments

Oleksandr Usyk, pictured after his victory over Rico Verhoeven

Oleksandr Usyk found out

•1 week ago

21 Comments

Rico Verhoeven fires a left at Oleksandr Usyk

Sphinx Jinx: Oleksandr Usyk dodges a bullet to score late stoppage of Rico Verhoeven

•1 week ago

54 Comments

Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven take to the scales in Egypt

Oleksandr Usyk-Rico Verhoeven preview: Who wins and how?

•1 week ago

7 Comments

Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven get ready for battle in May 2026 in Egypt

Oleksandr Usyk-Rico Verhoeven weigh-in: Usyk 233.3lbs; Verhoeven 258.7lbs

BoxingScene Staff

•1 week ago

9 Comments

Agit Kabayel sits down for an interview.

Agit Kabayel says Oleksandr Usyk ‘must fight me next’

•1 week ago

23 Comments

Oleksandr Usyk plays for the camera in April 2026

Oleksandr Usyk: 'Three more fights... When I say I'm retired, I won't be back'

BoxingScene Staff

•1 week ago

36 Comments

Richard Torrez Jnr stands in the ring during his boxing match with Tomas Salek on November 15, 2025.

Richard Torrez Jnr ventures a world away to discover if he's world-class

•1 week ago

36 Comments

Ryan Garcia Photo:Geoffrey Knott/Matchroom

Ryan Garcia tells Jimmy Fallon that Conor Benn is next

•1 week ago

15 Comments

Naoya Inoue 12272025

Naoya Inoue-Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez in Japan? 'Without a shadow of a doubt'

•2 weeks ago

3 Comments

Sparring - how long before I can start? | BoxingScene Community

Back to Community

Sparring - how long before I can start?

eightonezero18y ago

I'm trying to find out if the gym I go to is a good one. It is really small, maybe only 4 or 5 regulars. Been there about 2 weeks. We haven't sparred yet (is it normal to not spar the first month or so?) There really are no other gyms near me, so I'm kind of stuck I seem to be getting in great physical shape and my punches are coming along ok and I have been working on defense as well. How long was it before you started sparring at your gym? I do have previous experience with sparring in martial arts as well as a little boxing I did when i was a kid. I'm not a total virgin to what its about just curious, that is all. Should I find another gym that is more "fighting" oriented? thanks

Comments (6)

good point. Thank you very much for the insight

18y ago

Im a trainer and I usually take it by ear. If a kid is physicaly fit and is throwing decent combo's on the bag, then I let him get in with usually someone who is of much higher skill level than him and tell the other more skilled guy to take it easy on him. That's the best way to ease into it because if you get two young, fresh kids in there they try to take each other's head off and you don't learn anything, it turns into a cock fight.

18y ago

thanks for the replies guys

18y ago

Your trainer is best to make that decision for you, he'd be in the best position to tell you when you're mentally ready as well as physically. I waited until a month after I started regular training to spar. Not to say I was exactly ready at that point, but it's a good time to get your feet wet after picking up some fundamentals. Just let your coach allow the natural process to take place.

18y ago

GazinManchester

If u joined in peak physical fitness, and have been assessed technically then maybe yes. If not, be glad your not in some n00by gym that gets u sparring shite techniques at poor fitness. Speak to a trainer, ask for his opinion, what u should be aiming for.

18y ago

i think every gym is different. have you asked the trainers abotu sparring? i know of soem clubs who only are there for the exercise and therefore it si called boxercise.

18y ago