Why does sparring always look much more intense than the actual fighta?

[STILL_DETOX]

[Sugarj]

3 Quick, easy answers:

1) Sparring is rarely over anything like a 12 round distance in an amateur gym, so the pace tends to be quicker over two or three x 3 min rounds.

2) There isn't the pressure of much of an audience or a result, therefore boxers tend to engage without too much worry. Headgear being worn also tends to relax those sparring from fighting negatively.

3) You tend to be sparring with your mates or gym buddies......the guys you go out drinking with at the weekend! You dont want to feel like a turnip when one of them starts mouthing off that he owned you in sparring a few nights ago, especially when there is an attractive girl in earshot!!!!

[Toy Story 3]

In our gym we don't spar in weight classes and all that ****. Amateurs vs amateurs, pros vs. pros, amateurs vs. pros (of course they tone it down when they spar amateurs). I actually find the fights more exciting, our fighters show up on fight night. I guess it's depending on the gym and the fighters at that gym.