Sparring with someone that is bigger and more athletic than you?

[tito_bandito]

I'm 160 pounds and 5'9" and they make me spar against a dood that's 170 and he's like 6'2" with incredible reach not to mention he's pretty much ripped...I'm not out of shape or anything but the other guy is ripped like a pro...They always make me spar with him because no one else can take his punches or even wants to spar with him, and I'm about the biggest guy he can do that against but I honestly feel like crap everytime I do spar with him...I feel like my confidence goes down and my dreams of boxing going down the drain...I have sparred with the smaller guys at 145-155 and I feel like it's pretty even and that I can adjust well...but when I spar with this bigger and more athletic guy I can't cut off the ring and I can't fight him on the inside because of his reach but when ever I do get inside he's not hard to keep on the ropes because I'm a pretty strong dood myself...do you think it's good for me to keep sparring him if I can't put any of my training work into the sparring match?

[Cassius Liston]

you have to learn to move your head alot more and feint the jab.....once he covers up you can make things happen

[{Pito}]

If you're being fed to this fghter to big up his confidence u should talk to your coach. On the flipside, it may very well be that your coach thinks you can learn and work harder. Is your coach instructing you as you spar? Or is he just lounging back and not saying a word. I'd say it depends on what you're seeing/feeling from your coach. Hope this helps.

[tito_bandito]

If you're being fed to this fghter to big up his confidence u should talk to your coach. On the flipside, it may very well be that your coach thinks you can learn and work harder. Is your coach instructing you as you spar? Or is he just lounging back and not saying a word. I'd say it depends on what you're seeing/feeling from your coach. Hope this helps.

yesterday was the first day he ever coached me on this but he knows well that I have trouble sparring with him...before yesterday I felt like I was just being fed to him to keep his confidence up...

[SPREAD]

I'm 160 pounds and 5'9" and they make me spar against a dood that's 170 and he's like 6'2" with incredible reach not to mention he's pretty much ripped...I'm not out of shape or anything but the other guy is ripped like a pro...They always make me spar with him because no one else can take his punches or even wants to spar with him, and I'm about the biggest guy he can do that against but I honestly feel like crap everytime I do spar with him...I feel like my confidence goes down and my dreams of boxing going down the drain...I have sparred with the smaller guys at 145-155 and I feel like it's pretty even and that I can adjust well...but when I spar with this bigger and more athletic guy I can't cut off the ring and I can't fight him on the inside because of his reach but when ever I do get inside he's not hard to keep on the ropes because I'm a pretty strong dood myself...do you think it's good for me to keep sparring him if I can't put any of my training work into the sparring match?

Relax! hes got a crazy reach and weight advantage on you, he should dominate you lets face it you never gonna face a dude like that in a real fight, even though you may be getting busted up a bit in sparring your gonna find guys your weight and size so easy when you do get to fight them.

Also try working his body as your main aim when you do spar with him.

[Bullrush]

everybody gets to that point where you just fight somebody thats better, whether its because hes smaller and faster, bigger and stronger or just technically a better boxer. thats boxing.

keep sparring the guy hes a bigger challenge, you will get used to his size and speed at some point and improve quicker by sparring him then youd by sparring those 140 pounders that you know you can beat

talk to the guy, im sure unless hes one of those punks that enjoy beating up guys that arent as good as theyre yet, hell be happy to help you improve. pick his brain and ask him about your mistakes and what you could do to put some heat on him and what you shouldnt be doing. if you dont talk to him this process is gonna take a long while for you to figure out by yourself

[Cassius Liston]

everybody gets to that point where you just fight somebody thats better, whether its because hes smaller and faster, bigger and stronger or just technically a better boxer. thats boxing.

keep sparring the guy hes a bigger challenge, you will get used to his size and speed at some point and improve quicker by sparring him then youd by sparring those 140 pounders that you know you can beat

talk to the guy, im sure unless hes one of those punks that enjoy beating up guys that arent as good as theyre yet, hell be happy to help you improve. pick his brain and ask him about your mistakes and what you could do to put some heat on him and what you shouldnt be doing. if you dont talk to him this process is gonna take a long while for you to figure out by yourself

this is good but don't make him feel uncomfortable..you should be thankful its hard..it'll only make you better....try new things untill something works....rush him for three minutes...next time be defensive...mix it up and see what suits you best

[jonesy]

I haven't read the whole thread but iv never even sparred somebody smaller than me, i always spar taller, heavier guys but i wouldn't say they are more athletic than me. Im 5"8, 147lb.

[Del Coqui]

I'm 160 pounds and 5'9" and they make me spar against a dood that's 170 and he's like 6'2" with incredible reach not to mention he's pretty much ripped...I'm not out of shape or anything but the other guy is ripped like a pro...They always make me spar with him because no one else can take his punches or even wants to spar with him, and I'm about the biggest guy he can do that against but I honestly feel like crap everytime I do spar with him...I feel like my confidence goes down and my dreams of boxing going down the drain...I have sparred with the smaller guys at 145-155 and I feel like it's pretty even and that I can adjust well...but when I spar with this bigger and more athletic guy I can't cut off the ring and I can't fight him on the inside because of his reach but when ever I do get inside he's not hard to keep on the ropes because I'm a pretty strong dood myself...do you think it's good for me to keep sparring him if I can't put any of my training work into the sparring match?

I hate to tell you this but their using you to build your boy up. Not sure if you have anyone in our gym helping you out with that sparring, but try to tape your sparring and put a link up, we'll help you out.

[P4PKING_2010]

Keep at it. If you are good enough you will improve loads from it.