Considering taking up amatuer boxing: advice wanted

[jezzamundo]

Righto. I'm in Perth, Australia, and I go to a boxing gym, where 80% of the people are there for fitness and self-defense, and 20% are amatuer boxers. At the moment I am in the 80%, but for a while I have been considering taking up amateur boxing. I joined the gym for fitness, and a desire to learn to box, six months ago. I have recently turned 20 years old.

I am 6'1, with 6'5 reach, and weight 150lb at the moment, but I am not really skinny because I have a very light frame (small wrists etc). I was 170lb when I joined, but I wasn't in good shape at all then. If I did take up amatuer boxing I would be in the 141-152lb division.

At the moment I would rate my skills as average. The trainers at the gym (all amateur, pro, or ex-pro boxers) all say that I have plenty of power and speed, but I need to work on my stamina and skills (footwork in particular at the moment). I think I use too much energy when punching at the moment, and have difficulty maintaining a decent punch output.

At the moment I do 2 x 1hr gym sessions a week (heavy bag, pad work, skipping etc) 3 x 1hr weights sessions a week at home, and I hit my heavy bag at home for about half an hour, 4 times a week. I occassionally run, but not as much as I should. I occassionally spar with my brother (16oz gloves & headgear), who is taller than me, but not really into boxing.

any advice on whether I should get into amateur boxing, and how I should go about it would be welcome. also any advice on how I should go about improving my fitness and skills would be great.

[Puncher7]

Sure, If it's something you want to do go for it! But if you are really serious about competing in boxing you need to start spending a lot more time in the gym than just 2 days per week. You should atleast be in the gym 5 days a week(maybe you can get away with 4).

[jezzamundo]

Thanks mate. I'll definitely try to get to the gym more often. I can keep improve my fitness by working out more at home, but I cannot get the skills work and advice that I do at the boxing gym.

any more advice people?

[jezzamundo]

gee, i was hoping for a bit more traffic than this. does anyone know of any other good site where I can get advice?