How long would it take (to train at boxing) and be able to defend yourself?

[killsomething]

Let me preface this by saying that I have zero background in fighting (or any of the martial arts), I work out here and there but that's as far as that goes.

Over the last 4 months (that short of time) I've been involved in three fights with a bunch of dumb, ****phobic, usually (drunk) idiots, and after reading a lot of articles/interviews/etc I saw boxing recommended over and over (stuff like Muay Thai was too, but I'm really just concerned with being able to punch and take a punch).

So basically my question is how long will it take (assuming I join a club and go for 3 days a week) for me to be able to defend myself against 99% of thugs (who's lives consist of nothing more than starting **** with people). You know the kind of people I'm talking about....

Would I need to go hard and practice for, say, 3 months (3x a week)? 6 months (3x a week)? I just want to learn enough to defend myself and of course, after I reach that level, will probably go a few times a month to brush up on anything.

Thanks for the help

It completely depends on you. You'll make quicker progress joining a track club anyway. You're never safe in a streetfight, remember that. In it or after it.

[killsomething]

I mean what do you do when some guy comes up to your table at a Pizza shop (for example) and tells you to "****ing get out of his seat" (when he never sat there to begin with).

You calmly lay a large knife on the table, finish chewing, and say "I'd prefer not to."

[Josh_Shing]

In my opinion your telling him that he should learn different moves to go out and engage in these idiotic fights, almost encouraging him as though it can be done.

Dude that's completely the opposite of what i was trying to say. I'm sorry if it wasn't clear, but the point of my previous messages was to get him to learn self defense IN CASE OF SITUATIONS WHERE HE HAS TO DEFEND HIMSELF. Going around the neighborhood looking for fights is like having a death wish. I may have had my share of street fights, but never did i look for them. I used what i knew to defend myself and my friends when i needed to and only did enough to subdue my attacker. I always tried to make peace in the end, and it worked out for me in the end. I'm not saying what worked for me will work for him, i'm just tossing suggestions for what he could do. Hell, the majority of the time when i was bullied, i cracked a joke cuz i was a bit of a smart ass in school.

I actually like killsomething's idea for what to say when he's eating at the pizza shop again. Another one could be "Buy me a slice of pepperoni and i'll go". If he happens to be one of those that spits on it before he gives it to you, take it, and give it to one of his friends that didn't see the spitting and say "hey i couldn't finish this its yours" or something, and then leave. That way the bully spent/wasted money and his friend ate spit pizza lol.

[Young Money]

If you are seriously interested in defending yourself on the street with boxing, I reccomend reading the following books:


Championship Streetfighting: Boxing As A Martial Art
Ned Beaumont

http://www.amazon.com/Championship-S.../dp/0873649346


The Savage Science Of Streetfighting: Applying The Lessons Of Championship Boxing To Serious Street Survival
Ned Beaumont

http://www.amazon.com/Savage-Science...d_bxgy_b_img_b


They are both available on Amazon and give some good boxing skills that are applicable to the street.

If you're short on cash then get the 'The Savage Science Of Streetfighting: Applying The Lessons Of Championship Boxing To Serious Street Survival' which is the second book he wrote and encompasses some of the first book.

[Rockin']

Dude that's completely the opposite of what i was trying to say. I'm sorry if it wasn't clear, but the point of my previous messages was to get him to learn self defense IN CASE OF SITUATIONS WHERE HE HAS TO DEFEND HIMSELF. Going around the neighborhood looking for fights is like having a death wish. I may have had my share of street fights, but never did i look for them. I used what i knew to defend myself and my friends when i needed to and only did enough to subdue my attacker. I always tried to make peace in the end, and it worked out for me in the end. I'm not saying what worked for me will work for him, i'm just tossing suggestions for what he could do. Hell, the majority of the time when i was bullied, i cracked a joke cuz i was a bit of a smart ass in school.

I actually like killsomething's idea for what to say when he's eating at the pizza shop again. Another one could be "Buy me a slice of pepperoni and i'll go". If he happens to be one of those that spits on it before he gives it to you, take it, and give it to one of his friends that didn't see the spitting and say "hey i couldn't finish this its yours" or something, and then leave. That way the bully spent/wasted money and his friend ate spit pizza lol.

We both have the same views, except for giving a piece of pizza that had been spit on to a friend.

I guess that I misunderstood your original post, my bad..............Rockin'

[Rockin']

If you are seriously interested in defending yourself on the street with boxing, I reccomend reading the following books:


Championship Streetfighting: Boxing As A Martial Art
Ned Beaumont

http://www.amazon.com/Championship-S.../dp/0873649346


The Savage Science Of Streetfighting: Applying The Lessons Of Championship Boxing To Serious Street Survival
Ned Beaumont

http://www.amazon.com/Savage-Science...d_bxgy_b_img_b


They are both available on Amazon and give some good boxing skills that are applicable to the street.

If you're short on cash then get the 'The Savage Science Of Streetfighting: Applying The Lessons Of Championship Boxing To Serious Street Survival' which is the second book he wrote and encompasses some of the first book.

books will never teach anybody to fight. Training in a gym with seasoned instructors and sparring with others will help to teach you...........Rockin'

[Young Money]

books will never teach anybody to fight. Training in a gym with seasoned instructors and sparring with others will help to teach you...........Rockin'

The books are to compliment his boxing training - I never said to only read them and forget about hitting the gym.

Learning how to box and fighting on the street are 2 different things which he needs to understand.

[Rockin']

The books are to compliment his boxing training - I never said to only read them and forget about hitting the gym.

Learning how to box and fighting on the street are 2 different things which he needs to understand.

The kid has no training at all, zero. Mentioning books at this time is just rediculous.

Now granted, reading these books could put some innovative ideas in his head but that's it.............Rockin'

[Young Money]

The kid has no training at all, zero. Mentioning books at this time is just rediculous.

Now granted, reading these books could put some innovative ideas in his head but that's it.............Rockin'

Again, the books are to compliment his training.

He can train and learn how to box all day but his primary goal is being able to handle himself on the street - these are 2 different things.

I box and I've read these books, I can tell him from personal experience they are useful at any level of experience.

[Rockin']

Again, the books are to compliment his training.

He can train and learn how to box all day but his primary goal is being able to handle himself on the street - these are 2 different things.

I box and I've read these books, I can tell him from personal experience they are useful at any level of experience.

whatever floats your boat man...........Rockin'