Is 23 too old to start boxing?

[1 nut]

What a nice reply johnny greaves

[hurlock]

You can either fight or you can't.
Anyone can do it,IF they WANT to do it.

[Emmseegee]

I had my one and only amateur fight at 27 and although I was the oldest on the full show I still enjoyed every second of it. 2 years on and I haven't managed to motivate myself back in although I'm still as fit as I was at the time. Think I just felt that it was something I had to do because I'm a big boxing fan. Only one fight but I would have went on to regret never having done it otherwise and now I will probably regret only doing it once!! Retired unbeaten tho!

One thing I will say is, after you have had the first one, keep battering them in as quick as you can otherwise you will do the same as me and the time will pass you by.

All the best!

[DavidPayne]

I first went at 34.

Did fairly solidly for two years, twice a week a local ABC.

Still shit.

Went back before Christmas for first time in two years.

I'm now 40.

I'm welcomed and can see the errors of others easier than fixing my own.

Go to an ABC religiously for a year and see where you are.

[lefty]

Im about to turn 29 and thinking about going for the first time. I know the age limit is 34 right? Hopefully i might be able to get a few in.

[rubberneck]

Im about to turn 29 and thinking about going for the first time. I know the age limit is 34 right? Hopefully i might be able to get a few in.

The ABA have now changed the age limit. They briefly introduced the masters category last season (age 34-40) but have now done away with it. BUT....

the senior age limit has now been changed to 19-40!!!!! So you've got plenty of time.

I first walked in to a gym 3 years ago (aged 31), Had my first bout about 10 months later and had my second 12 months after my first. Was hoping to have 5 bouts then call it a day. Picked up an ABA assistant coach qualification along the way so I can help out at the gym.

It does require dedication and commitment, and being punched in the face is not pleasant, but beats getting walloped in the liver....

[Dixonian]

Really interesting thread. Funnily enough I'm about to turn 29 and I've sporadically been down a couple of local gyms in the Brighton area. Done a bit of sparring in my time - and done alright with limited training against a few amateur guys. Now I've decided to give it a proper crack because like a few other posters I know I will regret it otherwise.

No idea how far I'll go with it, but hopefully get an amateur bout then see how I feel from there. Tough old sport though. Must be blinking mad...

[bripez]

Im about to turn 29 and thinking about going for the first time. I know the age limit is 34 right? Hopefully i might be able to get a few in.

The ABA have now changed the age limit. They briefly introduced the masters category last season (age 34-40) but have now done away with it. BUT....

the senior age limit has now been changed to 19-40!!!!! So you've got plenty of time.

Under the previous rules, a "masters" category (i.e. aged between 34 and 40) could only box other masters category boxers - as there weren't that many around it was very difficult for anybody over 34 to get a bout.

Does this change mean that any boxer up to the age of 40 can box any boxer from 19 - 40 ? - also, will they be able to enter Novices / ABA's ?

[rubberneck]

Im about to turn 29 and thinking about going for the first time. I know the age limit is 34 right? Hopefully i might be able to get a few in.

The ABA have now changed the age limit. They briefly introduced the masters category last season (age 34-40) but have now done away with it. BUT....

the senior age limit has now been changed to 19-40!!!!! So you've got plenty of time.

Under the previous rules, a "masters" category (i.e. aged between 34 and 40) could only box other masters category boxers - as there weren't that many around it was very difficult for anybody over 34 to get a bout.

Does this change mean that any boxer up to the age of 40 can box any boxer from 19 - 40 ? - also, will they be able to enter Novices / ABA's ?

Boxers will still be matched up according to experience. I don't see how it would impact on whether championships could be entered or not.

[n1ebf]

40?? good grief I did not know that. I thought there was a rule saying you couldn't compete if you hadn't already had a bout before the age of 30 (it might have been 35).
I used to regret not seeing if I'd have been any good but it's a lot to pack in on top of a full time job. Also, unless I was better than British level, and really going places, it wouldn't have much interest. I don't see the point in pasting people and taking big headshots yourself, unless you're world class at it. And that's with no disrespect at all to anybody, just my view.
I'd think I'd sooner have a normal job than defend myself face first like Carl Froch, even with all his money.

[danamba7]

40?? good grief I did not know that. I thought there was a rule saying you couldn't compete if you hadn't already had a bout before the age of 30 (it might have been 35).
I used to regret not seeing if I'd have been any good but it's a lot to pack in on top of a full time job. Also, unless I was better than British level, and really going places, it wouldn't have much interest. I don't see the point in pasting people and taking big headshots yourself, unless you're world class at it. And that's with no disrespect at all to anybody, just my view.
I'd think I'd sooner have a normal job than defend myself face first like Carl Froch, even with all his money.

I am a Froch fan, but I have absolutely no intention of mimicking his style!

[stevedoc]

i started at 22 and did ok amateur i was like you i just wanted to try it ,i found that it's up to you to show the trainer you are serious as lots of guys turn up for a few weeks then leave so it took 6 months before the trainer knew i was committed and spent any real time with me .....good luck ..

[danamba7]

Just quick update for anyone who cares! Contacted Long Eaton, Loughborough and Shepshed ABC's as these are the nearest to me. Had replies from Lough and Long Eaton, Guna get myself down there and try em out, see how I get on. With a full time job, studying for a course in webdesign and a mrs ;;-) its guna be hard to juggle time but I'll give it me best shot!

[hurlock]

Rubber neck v columbo !! What's your weights lads??

[danamba7]

Rubber neck v columbo !! What's your weights lads??

I'm 10 stone 5. And 5'11" not that height matters.

[n1ebf]

it matters a bit..

[n1ebf]

Rubber neck v columbo !! What's your weights lads??

When I woke up today I did not think I would be reading of columbo's intention to compete!!

[danamba7]

it matters a bit..

I meant it doesn't matter in terms of what weight division I'd compete in

[Bricks]

I really want to start but have no experience (apart from having a punch bag at home for as long as I remember!)

I have no ambitions to become world champ or anything (probs a bad start already) but I just want to see how I get on.

As pathetic as it sounds, I don't like the idea of being a beginner and being in the same boat as 10 year olds at 23!

Anyone else on here started late? I know Stuey Hall did, any other Pro examples?

If u wanna be a world champ than pretty much yes.if u wanna make it as a pro,earn a few Bob,or just have amateur fights, use it to get entry into pro mma or just to stay healthy know how to handle yourself than hell no. Look mate ten year d kids or not the first thing u need to do is get your lazy backside down a boxing club,any club and get fit,learn some footwork,learn defence how to throw punches see if u can take a smack on in the kiester or down in the bread basket,work your way up to sparring than start thinking about whether your too old for world dominalion or trying to be stuey hall

[lefty]

Rubber neck v columbo !! What's your weights lads??

When I woke up today I did not think I would be reading of columbo's intention to compete!!

You're not starting this again are ya? I thought we'd let this drop?

[n1ebf]

Rubber neck v columbo !! What's your weights lads??

When I woke up today I did not think I would be reading of columbo's intention to compete!!

You're not starting this again are ya? I thought we'd let this drop?

I wasn't starting anything
I was just saying, for someone who posts as much as you I like the way you said you hope to "get a few fights in"

[lefty]

Rubber neck v columbo !! What's your weights lads??

When I woke up today I did not think I would be reading of columbo's intention to compete!!

You're not starting this again are ya? I thought we'd let this drop?

I wasn't starting anything
I was just saying, for someone who posts as much as you I like the way you said you hope to "get a few fights in" [/quote]

Fair enough lol. To be fair, i havent actually posted as much the last few weeks. Not by my usual high post standard.

[Emmseegee]

I can smell a boxrec member charity white collar boxing show coming up here.
Get age, weights, height and experience posted on here and we can have some match making done.
Maybe even a scotland v england night. lol

I want the oldest, smallest 11 stone man on the forum. A limp and one arm and your guaranteed the gig.

Gaz mac81 will fight….. anyone after a few pints.
Billy Nelson wants to fight……. any englishman on the forum.
Ronnie Clark will fight everybody his brother argues with on here.

Anyone else want to join the scotland squad? lol

[Coco]

I really want to start but have no experience (apart from having a punch bag at home for as long as I remember!)

I have no ambitions to become world champ or anything (probs a bad start already) but I just want to see how I get on.

As pathetic as it sounds, I don't like the idea of being a beginner and being in the same boat as 10 year olds at 23!

Anyone else on here started late? I know Stuey Hall did, any other Pro examples?

If u wanna be a world champ than pretty much yes.if u wanna make it as a pro,earn a few Bob,or just have amateur fights, use it to get entry into pro mma or just to stay healthy know how to handle yourself than hell no. Look mate ten year d kids or not the first thing u need to do is get your lazy backside down a boxing club,any club and get fit,learn some footwork,learn defence how to throw punches see if u can take a smack on in the kiester or down in the bread basket,work your way up to sparring than start thinking about whether your too old for world dominalion or trying to be stuey hall

Didn't Hall have a lot of fights as a schoolboy though?

[nfc90210]

Yes, Hall boxed as a youngster.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/boxing ... World.html

...Hall was nine when his dad introduced him to boxing as a way of ironing out his indiscipline at school.

‘I wasn’t that dedicated in the amateurs; it was more of a hobby,’ he said. ‘But boxing brought me home. I was totally out of shape and depressed and I just couldn’t think straight.’

After resuming his amateur career and reaching the national finals, Hall had his first professional fight aged 28...