How satisfying is boxing

[punchoutsb]

one thing i can say is nothing puts you in a more lonely state like boxing, brutal and stressful sport

I also found this to be true. My most disturbing mental states were strongest when I was fighting regularly. Haven't boxed or done mma in over 4 years now and I feel great. I miss the highs but I don't miss the lows.

[Evander]

If you were there for the walk in's ...
Jones Jr v Ruiz
Morales v Barrera 1
Margarito v Cotto 1
Lewis v Grant
Huck v Lebedev
Ward v Kovalev 1

All of them hit the mark in terms of excitement.

[Jip]

Its a surreal but fantastic feeling, really makes you feel alive, on fight night every second feels like an hour, you really understand what it is to "live in the moment"

Well said.

Boxing=life

[Jip]

When I first started, I think I was 9, as a kid I was crazy into fitness; ran all the time and did push ups and situps constantly. Boxing was my love, I knew all the Heavyweight champs in order and used to make my pop box me and get mad when he wouldn't punch me. My uncle always talks about my first sparring session. My spot in Baltimore wasn't exactly a hotbed for Boxing. A guy named George Burton was the star of the gym. We could have went further into the inner city but pop took me out to the county to Loch raven gym. The only kid near my size there was 13. Unc always muses proudly about that first session, I was apprehensive but as soon as my back touched the ropes I went Morales/Pac 1 in a frenzy. By the fourth time I owned that kid and had to spar with a guy who had like 50 pounds on me. Ironically, he ended up dating the hottest girl in my grade school when he was in HS and went on to play for the Jets. We're still friends.

Cool story. How was it growing up in baltimore. Everybody always said what a damgerous city it was. Still is.

[Evander]

I want boxing to be a little like the Holy Motors movie trailer for two and a half minutes and put umpteen stories all into one and give you an experience.

[BAD INTENTIONS]

Just do some steroids and cross fit for a few months.
You'd at least be UFC material.

[darkrobot]

Sorry, in my haste I last night I never answered your orignal question Jip!

"The excitemant, the highs, the lows. In terms of adrenalin rush or endorphines etc it must be crazy." All this and more. It's like the rest of the world disappears and it's just you and your opponent toe to toe.

I am suprised to hear of so many broken noses in sparring though, although I've no reason to believe those posters aren't telling the truth.

The only broken nose I'm of aware of from my own gym in the last 10 years wasn't in sparring, but in a world title eliminator pro bout. But he went on to win anyway so probably reckons it was worth it!

As I mentioned earlier though,it is a gym which puts massive emphasis on effective defence, including speedy footwork, especially lateral movement, plenty of head and upper body movement and and judging (very quickly!) what your opponent is about to do based on their own movements. As well as all sorts of offense of course.

So perhaps that explains the disparity. Just that different coaches and gyms teach people differently.

[darkrobot]

Jip, if you fancy sparring or even competing one day, and you're in my part of the world, feel free to give me a shout and I'll take you down the gym.It's a really great place, and you won't get the piss taken out of you for being a newbie. Sparring will be built up one step at a time until the coaches think you're ready to go all out with someone your own size.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

When I first started, I think I was 9, as a kid I was crazy into fitness; ran all the time and did push ups and situps constantly. Boxing was my love, I knew all the Heavyweight champs in order and used to make my pop box me and get mad when he wouldn't punch me. My uncle always talks about my first sparring session. My spot in Baltimore wasn't exactly a hotbed for Boxing. A guy named George Burton was the star of the gym. We could have went further into the inner city but pop took me out to the county to Loch raven gym. The only kid near my size there was 13. Unc always muses proudly about that first session, I was apprehensive but as soon as my back touched the ropes I went Morales/Pac 1 in a frenzy. By the fourth time I owned that kid and had to spar with a guy who had like 50 pounds on me. Ironically, he ended up dating the hottest girl in my grade school when he was in HS and went on to play for the Jets. We're still friends.

Cool story. How was it growing up in baltimore. Everybody always said what a damgerous city it was. Still is.

I'm old bro, almost 50. It was a different time. Definitely a rough area but there were no guns around. Things were settled with hands, white guy fighting a black guy with equal members surrounding in a circle, nobody jumped in. It saddens me how the country has changed that way, I grew up real close to the spot where The Wire was filmed.

[Counter-puncher]

You're only 30 mate, not exactly in the grave yet! Pull-ups (not the nappies btw!) are very useful as a bodyweight exercise, but unless you're already fairly fit and have a good muscle to bodyweight ratio they can take some time to get the hang of. For most people, they're something you work up to, not something you can do instantly. Same goes for the number of press-ups/ sit-ups/ crunches mentioned by earlier. I wouldn't expect anybody, unless they were already super-fit, to be able to walk into a gym and do that many straight away. It takes time. Apparently Chad Dawson can only do a few pull-ups, despite being a pro with years of training.

Oh and don't worry about getting your nose broken in sparring, that hardly ever happens and no decent gym would allow it. Sparring should be about learning and developing skills (obviously you will get hit to an extent!). But probably not as badly as you imagine. Nobody learns anything from getting a beating, and nobody learns anything from giving a beating, especially as a novice.

Within reason taking a beating and learning to take a beating are very useful elements in sparring, imo

I get what you're saying. But there's a big difference between a few hard shots and a full-on beating. I'm sure you know from your own experience, the first time you take a hard shot to the head from someone much bigger (as I did the first time I sparred) it can disorientate you. Sometimes this can actually be helpful- I have also been punched in the face in a street attack and it had no effect on me because I was used to it from sparring. Although I'd never gone bareknuckle before! I'm sure you've heard that most of the damage done to Ali was believed to had been sustained during sparring rather than fighting. There is an optimum way of sparring, no need to go over (or under!) do it.

my own opinion is that if sparring is over-controlled, nobody ever gets used to dealing with the element of fear, and that can be detrimental.

a full-on beating every time you spar can't be a good thing, no, but a guy who's able to take you closer and closer to that point but without making you quit is giving you a precious gift and lesson about yourself.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Within reason taking a beating and learning to take a beating are very useful elements in sparring, imo

I get what you're saying. But there's a big difference between a few hard shots and a full-on beating. I'm sure you know from your own experience, the first time you take a hard shot to the head from someone much bigger (as I did the first time I sparred) it can disorientate you. Sometimes this can actually be helpful- I have also been punched in the face in a street attack and it had no effect on me because I was used to it from sparring. Although I'd never gone bareknuckle before! I'm sure you've heard that most of the damage done to Ali was believed to had been sustained during sparring rather than fighting. There is an optimum way of sparring, no need to go over (or under!) do it.

my own opinion is that if sparring is over-controlled, nobody ever gets used to dealing with the element of fear, and that can be detrimental.

a full-on beating every time you spar can't be a good thing, no, but a guy who's able to take you closer and closer to that point but without making you quit is giving you a precious gift and lesson about yourself.

Sparring with Spence seems to have done wonders for Jermell.

[darkrobot]

Within reason taking a beating and learning to take a beating are very useful elements in sparring, imo

I get what you're saying. But there's a big difference between a few hard shots and a full-on beating. I'm sure you know from your own experience, the first time you take a hard shot to the head from someone much bigger (as I did the first time I sparred) it can disorientate you. Sometimes this can actually be helpful- I have also been punched in the face in a street attack and it had no effect on me because I was used to it from sparring. Although I'd never gone bareknuckle before! I'm sure you've heard that most of the damage done to Ali was believed to had been sustained during sparring rather than fighting. There is an optimum way of sparring, no need to go over (or under!) do it.

my own opinion is that if sparring is over-controlled, nobody ever gets used to dealing with the element of fear, and that can be detrimental.

a full-on beating every time you spar can't be a good thing, no, but a guy who's able to take you closer and closer to that point but without making you quit is giving you a precious gift and lesson about yourself.

Fair enough, no arguments there It's all about the finding the right balance I think, especially when you're still learning the basics- for newbies, I defintely wouldn't throw them straight in at the deep end. But for more those with a bit more experience I think you make a very good point.

[Counter-puncher]

Getting hit hard, early, and finding out it isn't the end of the world, is close to essential IMO

[darkrobot]

Getting hit hard, early, and finding out it isn't the end of the world, is close to essential IMO

Oops, double post. I blame all the blows to the head.

[darkrobot]

Getting hit hard, early, and finding out it isn't the end of the world, is close to essential IMO

Fair enough pal, I guess we'll just have to agree to (partiallly) disagree.

[caldo2025]

I have been boxing, but only training and only for a short period of time, so i cant realy talk about landing a ko punch or coming from behind of scorecards to winning the fight.

How is it to stand in the ring. The excitemant, the highs, the lows. In terms of adrenalin rush or endorphines etc it must be crazy.

I like to think that i had a very small taste of what it might be like as a boxer through my collegiate wrestling career. Sure the biggest risks...danger, death and embarrassment in front of millions of people were not part of it. Thank God. But there are a ton of similarities i think. The weight control, training camps and dedication is similar. The biggest similarity is you are out there by yourself and only yourself to rely on...no teammates going to help you out. The audience's focus is squarely on the 2 athletes so there's nowhere to hide like in other sports. I'm surprised that you don't hear more boxer's talk about their fears of embarrassment because that was my biggest fear out there. I just hoped every time out that i wouldn't look like an ass and thank god, that happened just twice.

But i've scored TD's in football and hit home runs in baseball but those feelings are nothing compared to getting my hand raised after months of training for a guy that no one thought I could beat. It's a crazy high and again, that's not even close to how these pro boxers must feel. I know...just some similarities.

Good story

I can imagine how stressful it must be the preparation and the relief of stress tension when it is all done succesful.

With pros who can earn millions over millions and the possibilities of future big fights it must add a lot.

That's what always blew my mind about Floyd. For years he fought in front of the most people and he talked so much shiit that most fans tuned in to watch him lose and be embarrassed. Think about how confident you have to be to do the things Floyd did before getting in the ring. I used to almost shat my pants in front of 500-1000 people that would be watching.

[Jip]

I like to think that i had a very small taste of what it might be like as a boxer through my collegiate wrestling career. Sure the biggest risks...danger, death and embarrassment in front of millions of people were not part of it. Thank God. But there are a ton of similarities i think. The weight control, training camps and dedication is similar. The biggest similarity is you are out there by yourself and only yourself to rely on...no teammates going to help you out. The audience's focus is squarely on the 2 athletes so there's nowhere to hide like in other sports. I'm surprised that you don't hear more boxer's talk about their fears of embarrassment because that was my biggest fear out there. I just hoped every time out that i wouldn't look like an ass and thank god, that happened just twice.

But i've scored TD's in football and hit home runs in baseball but those feelings are nothing compared to getting my hand raised after months of training for a guy that no one thought I could beat. It's a crazy high and again, that's not even close to how these pro boxers must feel. I know...just some similarities.

Good story

I can imagine how stressful it must be the preparation and the relief of stress tension when it is all done succesful.

With pros who can earn millions over millions and the possibilities of future big fights it must add a lot.

That's what always blew my mind about Floyd. For years he fought in front of the most people and he talked so much shiit that most fans tuned in to watch him lose and be embarrassed. Think about how confident you have to be to do the things Floyd did before getting in the ring. I used to almost shat my pants in front of 500-1000 people that would be watching.

I aggree with you.

Than again. Dont forget....

He boxed since he was 4. He boxed pro since he was 18 or 19. What i mean is, he has been boxing forever. Than the most important fact, he had talent, huge talent. Imagine you are a 17 year old usain bolt and run faster than adult pros or you are a 17 year old tyson and beat up adult pros. When somebody is such talented it boosts the confidence skyhigh. Man, it must be surreal feeling when you got julian jackson kind of power and ko opponents like it was nothing or have leonard kind of athletism and nobody touches you.

After the de la hoya fight he was the #1 attraction in boxing amd a side to anybody. Than his talent where knew few oppoments would touch him. And the judges and refs who are mostly for the a side.

[Jip]

Jip, if you fancy sparring or even competing one day, and you're in my part of the world, feel free to give me a shout and I'll take you down the gym.It's a really great place, and you won't get the piss taken out of you for being a newbie. Sparring will be built up one step at a time until the coaches think you're ready to go all out with someone your own size.

Thanks man

[Jip]

When I first started, I think I was 9, as a kid I was crazy into fitness; ran all the time and did push ups and situps constantly. Boxing was my love, I knew all the Heavyweight champs in order and used to make my pop box me and get mad when he wouldn't punch me. My uncle always talks about my first sparring session. My spot in Baltimore wasn't exactly a hotbed for Boxing. A guy named George Burton was the star of the gym. We could have went further into the inner city but pop took me out to the county to Loch raven gym. The only kid near my size there was 13. Unc always muses proudly about that first session, I was apprehensive but as soon as my back touched the ropes I went Morales/Pac 1 in a frenzy. By the fourth time I owned that kid and had to spar with a guy who had like 50 pounds on me. Ironically, he ended up dating the hottest girl in my grade school when he was in HS and went on to play for the Jets. We're still friends.

Cool story. How was it growing up in baltimore. Everybody always said what a damgerous city it was. Still is.

I'm old bro, almost 50. It was a different time. Definitely a rough area but there were no guns around. Things were settled with hands, white guy fighting a black guy with equal members surrounding in a circle, nobody jumped in. It saddens me how the country has changed that way, I grew up real close to the spot where The Wire was filmed.

Usa is a beautiful country. Sad that there is so much violence and killing for no reason going on in the citys.

The wire, cool series. Must be funny when you watch it and recognize areas etc from the past.

[darkrobot]

Double post again! I'm on fire today...

[crow]

The more important question is can boxers manage violence?

No small matter.

Very true.

Hurt somebody and get hurt is not an easy thing to handle.

I believe boxers have higher stats of outside the ring violence than non boxers.


It's the old cliche "When a hammer is your only tool, everything resembles a nail".

[dagilechia]

i was only sparring dozens times but it turned my mind to different mode - mode of hit and survive, kind of a feeling that you MUST be the better one, the one to survive, the one to win, for me it was very pleasant feeling

[darkrobot]

Jip, if you fancy sparring or even competing one day, and you're in my part of the world, feel free to give me a shout and I'll take you down the gym.It's a really great place, and you won't get the piss taken out of you for being a newbie. Sparring will be built up one step at a time until the coaches think you're ready to go all out with someone your own size.

Thanks man

No worries all, the head coach has some unconventional methods, but (quote) "In total he has trained four world champions, six European, 15 British and six Commonwealth champions. This makes him one of the most successful trainers to ever grace the sport". Most of those champions were local kids he trained from scratch as well, which makes it all the more unusual. Unfortunately I never reached that standard myself, but got some of the best training and sparring I ever could have wished for.

So I trust he knows exactly what he's doing.

Which is probably why I've had some very different experiences from some other posters on this thread, one of whom has called me a fake (?) But as I've mentioned before, different coaches (of course) train their boxers differently.

But yeah I'd be very happy to show you around if you're ever in the area, just send me a PM and we'll get something sorted.

[Kalan]

Well... It's actually a lot more satisfying to knock people on their can than avoid being knocked down.. You avoid being knocked down every day.. Nothing special 'bout that.. But maybe one day you floor a world ranked sparring partner with a sharp left hook who says he's never been dropped before..

That's a very good feeling.. But what may not feel so good is when you think he's possibly gunning for you to get that knockdown back.. But it's all good because it keeps you on your toes.. Without great sparring competition you never get any better.

BTW... A list of 34 Klitschko Bro victims contains no bus drivers and VERY FEW cruiserweights 1.David Haye 2.Eddie Chambers 3.Corrie Sanders 4.Lamon Brewster 5.Hasim Rahman 6.Sam Peter 7.Sultan Ibragimov 8.Ruslan Chagaev 9. Kevin Johnson 10.Shannon Briggs 11.Juan Carlos Gomez 12.Chris Byrd 13.Calvin Brock 14.Tony Thompson 15.Kirk Johnson 16. Ray Mercer 17.Tomasz Adamek 18.Larry Donald 19.Derrek Jefferson 20.Ed Mahone 21.Chris Arreola 22.Jamel McCline 23.Monte Barrett 24.Frans Botha 25.Timo Hoffman 26.Ray Austin 27.Danny Williams 28.Albert Sosnowski 29.Herbie Hide 30.Odlanier Solis 31.Mariusz Wach 32.Manuel Charr 33.Francesco Pianeta 34.Jean Marc-Mormeck....

Mormeck, Chambers, Haye, Byrd, Adamek, and Gomez are the only so-called “cruisers.” They weighed 216, 209, 211, 210, 216, and 230.. Contrast that with the 12 guys Ali and Frazier fought who weighed into the ring in the 180’s and 190’s: Dave Zygelwscz, Terry Daniels, Jerry Quarry, Jimmy Ellis, Bob Foster, Marion Connor, Ruddi Lubbers, Henry Cooper, Floyd Patterson, Doug Jones, Karl Mildenberger, and Leon Spinks .... Twice as many little guys, who averaged over 20 pounds lighter.

[Kalan]

Nobody knows how many HOF's are on the current scene.. We'll know in 50 years.. They don't all make it at once.

But if Ingemar Johansson can make it with 1 victory in only 3 TItle Fights??? ... There will be more than a few of them I'm sure.