having a future in boxing??

[TheAuthority]

last night I boxed in the CYPs (clubs for young people) and lost on a computer score of 21:20. which lifted my record to an un impressive 4-5 (although a few of those losses have been close and could've gone ether way) . I wont lie or make excuses, I didn't feel 100% (a bit ill and that but I thought it wouldn't effect me as much as it did). it was against someone I beat before very convincingly before and have spared him since then and absolutely handed it to him.

I just don't feel like I have a future in the sport if I keep losing. I'm good in training and sparing but seem to fall short in fights. it just seems frustrating since I've sacrificed so much and I get what seems like **** all back. I permanently cut junk food out, that's with no acceptions, havent eaten cake, chocolate, crisps, fizzy pop or anything like that for about 2 years.

wondering if anyone has the same problems struggling in obscurity.
and what makes it worse is my mate who's got a similar work ethic to mine but isn't as dedicated as me is 7-2 (he lost in the ABA novicies county round by 6 points)

thanks for any input

It is difficult to judge a relatively inexperienced amateur boxers potential from their record alone. So many factors are involved. I know of plenty of lads with very good records, who really aren't very good - they have just been matched carefully. I know other lads who are very good who have hardly won any bouts, but have lost close decisions to good lads.

We have a lad in our gym who has had 7 and only won 1. I have watched every bout and all but one could have gone either way. He has boxed some good lads as well. He has lots of potential and is extremely dedicated. The things is, our head coach knows he is a tough lad and can box, so he will accept bouts from anyone (within reason), i.e. more experienced / heavier lads.

Another factor that is important to consider at this stage is the length of time you were training before your first bout. Some gyms will put lads in the ring after a few months, other gyms will have their lads train for well over a year before their first bout.

A lad may have had 8 bouts but only had 1 or 2 fights per year so may have been training for 5-6 years, where as some lads have 10 plus bouts in their first year. Who would you favour to win?

What I'm am trying to show is that your record has nothing to do with potential - it has everything to do with matching.

Also, most lads have a roughly 50 - 50 record because we try to match lads fairly in competitive bouts. If you won your first 10 fights, very few coaches would allow a boxer of similar experience with a 50-50 record to fight you. So you would only get bouts with more experienced lads. Which in most cases leads to losses. Then when you have lost a few bouts, you will be able to get bouts with lads with less experience and start winning again. Also, the more bouts you have, coaches from other gyms will watch you and only allow you to box one of their lads if they think their lad can beat you - or be competitive at the least.

We have another lad who started out by winning his first 5 bout by stoppage and at one stage his record was something like 20 wins and 3 losses. When you have a record like this, only the best lads will box you. He is now on 60+ bout and has won less than half. He is very good. Fast, tough and hits very hard, but his style isn't really suited to amateur boxing but he would make a good pro. Looking at his record you might be tempted to conclude he isn't very good, but this isn't the case - It all down to the level of competition.

Hence, there is nothing wrong with your record. You are obviously committed so stick at it mate. You will get there if you put in the work. Good luck.

[potatoes]

I have always said that in boxing anybody can win fights, but not anybody can win the big fights. To make it to the top in boxing (as well as any other sport) you need talent, motivation and opportunity. Talent you are born with, motivation you acquire and opportunity to fully develop your talent is just part of the luck of life. We can't all become the next Manny Pacquiao, but anybody can make the same kind of effort that he makes. Very few of us ever will.