First Black Eye?

[negativelead99]

So I sparred for the first time the other night. I was really eager, and nervous to get the first one out of the way.

I weigh 175, and the guy I sparred was 210. By the third round both of us were very tired (both of us are new) I know this is dumb of me, but he made a motion like he was tired and wanted to catch his breath for a second, so I relaxed my hands, kind of hoping we were going to take an agreed upon rest, and he caught me right at the end of his jab.

After I took off my headgear I felt a bump under my eye. Than someone laughed while saying, "woo first time, first shiner." In a way I was kind of glad because I wanted to get hit to see how I would respond. But on the other hand, there was no reason for me to come out of there with a mark (it was ****** of me to relax my hands in combat)

My worry though, is that I got a black eye from a jab? Yes, the guy was bigger than me. Yes, he did catch me perfect at the end of it. But all the same it was a jab!

My main question is; Do you become less susceptible to black eyes after being hit a few time? Or should I be concerned I got marked so easily?

[F l i c k e r]

Some people mark easier than others.

In this sport or any combat sport really, it happens. Don't think anything of it dude. It happens. Keep your guard up and learn to move. Reduces the chance of that happening.

[negativelead99]

Well I know I have a small head (23 inches) But I feel like if it gives me a weak chin, it at least makes it a small target. Sol I guess I should really focus on moving.

I did break down and but the Winning FG 5000. But I worry that wearing a face guard makes me look like I'm in the wrong sport. I don't mind getting marked myself, I just worry about what people at work think. People will probably start to whisper about my personnel life if I show up with too many bruises.

[2ofEverything]

Yeah like Flicker said some people mark easier, you're one of them. If it bothers you then you can either buy some headgear with more facial protection or quit boxing. If you went in thinking you were going to come out without anyone noticing you boxed you were wrong.

Once you bust your nose a few times and people at your work ask you what happened and you say "boxing" no one will ever care again that you come in with a few cuts and bruises. Unless you work face to face with customers or whatever.

[negativelead99]

If you went in thinking you were going to come out without anyone noticing you boxed you were wrong.

Well I should not have come out of that session marked. Standing there in LaLa Land with a 210 pound man in front of you
No excuse. But ya, I'd be ****** to think I'd never get marked.

Another thing, I really need to start training with my mouth piece in. I knew I was going to have a problem with this once I started sparring. But I just got too tired to defend myself at the end because I'm not use to breathing through my nose.

[BG_Knocc_Out]

It was your first time sparring, not a big deal at all. But that's part of the reason why I don't like having two green guys in the ring with each other.

In time you will instinctively learn how to brace for shots better, reducing the impact of their punches. So chin down, hands up, yada yada yada. You'll get to a point where you may seldom get hit flush, might only happen a few times in your sparring sessions, and you won't get marked up nearly as much if at all.

Faceguard headgear definitely helps, or headgear with pronounced cheek protectors.

I'm one of the types who gets bruised up fairly easy. A gust of wind gives me a hematoma. But I'm at a level where my opponents would be lucky to snap my head back. Folks don't touch me without nicking my gloves, shoulders, or rolling with the shot.

[tblefever]

Wear it proudly.