I want to learn the OLD ways damn it!

[msagrain]

He was a slugger, you win win nothing in the amatures as a slugger. Rocky was one of very few.

[barfly12]

You need to develop a style that suits your physical gifts. Rocky had unlimited stamina, incredible power, great durability, andthe willingness to eat hard shots. Most people don't. Go with whatever body type you have and whatever gifts you have in area of speed, durabiltiy, stamina, reach, etc. Better yet, don't be a "set fighter" who only fights one style -- be in the rare class of clever fighters who can change their style depending on their opponent. If you don't have faith in your coach find another one. You can't get there alone.

[Holtol]

Another type of training you might want to try that a lot of old time boxers did for training is splitting wood. I worked for a fire wood company when I was younger and splitting fire wood is very hard work. Ernie Shavers would do this quite a bit for training also.

Plus if you live in a cold area you can make money and get a good work out at the same time. When you swing your splitting maul don't aim at the center of the block aim off to the side it splits easier that way. Big blocks of hard wood you have to split small peices off the edges then start splitting the middle. I have done sledge hammer work outs and swinging a splitting maul to split fire wood is a lot different style of work out.

You can buy your logs off a logging company and make a profit. Or if you are lucky enough to own property with a lot of hard wood, that is better.

[ScrotieMcBooger]

and we know the Russians have the best Physical programs in the world

Yes the Soviets are famous for their steroid programs and Olympic cheating

[Vitez]

No less than Americans....

[Verstyle]

Emulating a fighter is hard, getting some things that you might like that he does isn't if dedicated.

[ShoulderRoll]

No less than Americans....

American boxing is famous for the legacy left behind by the hard and skillful men of the past. Not for steroids. The original poster is right in trying to look to that legacy to become a better fighter.

OP, there is a book by Nat Fleischer called "Training for Boxers" that you might want to check out, Jack Dempsey wrote the forward.

And study YouTube videos of the old masters. Maybe you can pick up little techniques and tricks here and there that you can put into your own game.

Here is a good one about Joe Louis:



And another about Charley Burley:

[Cuauhtémoc1520]

American boxing is famous for the legacy left behind by the hard and skillful men of the past. Not for steroids. The original poster is right in trying to look to that legacy to become a better fighter.

OP, there is a book by Nat Fleischer called "Training for Boxers" that you might want to check out, Jack Dempsey wrote the forward.

And study YouTube videos of the old masters. Maybe you can pick up little techniques and tricks here and there that you can put into your own game.

Here is a good one about Joe Louis:



And another about Charley Burley:

The OP wasn't looking for technique, you didn't read his original post. Here's what he had to say:

Obviously I like Rocco, but it's a little more then trying to mimic Rocky Marciano. I want to be fisticuffs tough. Classically bad ass. I see Marciano as the last of those guys, and that's why I'm such a big fan. He put on display for the world that real ragged strong man attitude in such a big way that he did indeed inspire me. He's not from the bare knuckle era, but he acts like he is... at least in the ring. That's what I want for me. I don't care if it won't work in today's boxing world. I want to know that it's skill that's beating me not power, or endurance, or a better chin

See, the problem with this as I pointed out is that the videos you are showing, show SKILL off, subtle techniques that anyone can learn. Not everyone can be like Marciano....why? Because he had a God given gift of toughness, tenacity and relentlessness. You can work on speed, conditioning but how are you going to work on chin?

I know people think you can work on chin by strengthening the neck muscles but that only takes you so far. Chin is something you are born with.

It's great to admire the old timers and learn from them and be inspired by them but to think you can watch them and fight just like them, is leading yourself in someone else's path. Instead it's better to etch your own path in this world. Be the next YOU.

[bklynboy]

I respectfully disagree. What I'm asking for is what exercises, diet, and basic life style changes you'd make to improve your overall constitution? I understand your telling me if I wasn't born authentically tough it can not be taught. Accepted, but what is the harm in achieving a tougher, stronger, more durable me?

Lifestyle? Do what scares you. If you're scared of heights - conquer it. You will be surprised the inner strength that gives you.

Training? Train to the point that you KNOW that you have better endurance than your opponent.

Exercises? I think that wind sprints are an under-estimated work out. Run a quarter mile at 70 seconds. Rest 90. Run another 70 second quarter mile. I bet, if you haven't done it before, you will be dying at end the of a half hour (and that's only 4 miles or so).

I'm also a big fan of the 9 count pushup (now called the hindu push-up).

Lifestyle? Walk when you feel like taking a bus. Climb stairs instead of the elevator. Endure the cold and heat.

In case it matters I never boxed - but I was seriously into martial arts. I'm in my 50s now, no longer training, and I still do deep horse stances while brushing my teeth in the morning and night. Some people think doing a horse stance for 5 minutes is an accomplishment. **** I do that twice a day, every day.

[Aperion]

Lifestyle? Do what scares you. If you're scared of heights - conquer it. You will be surprised the inner strength that gives you.

Training? Train to the point that you KNOW that you have better endurance than your opponent.

Exercises? I think that wind sprints are an under-estimated work out. Run a quarter mile at 70 seconds. Rest 90. Run another 70 second quarter mile. I bet, if you haven't done it before, you will be dying at end the of a half hour (and that's only 4 miles or so).

I'm also a big fan of the 9 count pushup (now called the hindu push-up).

Lifestyle? Walk when you feel like taking a bus. Climb stairs instead of the elevator. Endure the cold and heat.

In case it matters I never boxed - but I was seriously into martial arts. I'm in my 50s now, no longer training, and I still do deep horse stances while brushing my teeth in the morning and night. Some people think doing a horse stance for 5 minutes is an accomplishment. **** I do that twice a day, every day.

Yea I'm with you here. It is all about lifestyle. I live in Chicago, you may have noticed we had some weather recently - two days after our little historic storm from hell I started to walk to work again. About 3 miles in the snow, now the snow is a little more cleared but its 5 degrees below zero, I look at it as an interesting and conditioning challenge. I did it in the summer 95 degree heat, so I needed to do it in the opposite conditions. About a year or two ago I built a boxing gym in my basement and started coming to this training forum regularly. I don't have any fancy equipment to speak of, I eat broccoli, eggs, lean meats and oatmeal and work on boxing fundamentals in my home gym. I also do yoga - which is older than just about anything ever. My friends, family and co-workers think I'm nuts, they cannot even comprehend how I can do some of the physical things I do - but I know its not that big of a deal, (mainly because I have the sense to know I'm not a real fighter, any pro fighter is tougher than I am, those that pursue a professional fight career are of a different breed).

Back in the "OLD" days stuff like this was a standard part of life. Television plays a big part - how many of you sit on your asses watching TV everyday? People don't really understand how much advertising messes up the mind - you do not in fact need to buy or obtain anything outside yourself to get what you want. Just go work and figure it out - that to me is the "old" ways. There is no mystery to things like the old ways, turn off your television, phone, ipod, and computer and get to work. Then take a shower, read a book and get it on with your lady. That literally is the secret to life.