New Guy considering amateur boxing

Jester Jay · Post by **Jester Jay** » 07 Nov 2007, 23:54

Hey, I browse this place quite often as I enjoy the site and its views on boxing. Being a fan, I actually found a nice gym. I'm considering trying it out as I would like to try to build on technique.

First off, seeing this as a boxing forum, I dont mean to troll in anyway. Rather, just get inputs from those who are in the current scene of Amateur boxing.

Of course Amateur boxing it self is a dangerous sport and Ive had serious talks with some people. They claim that I shouldn't as Ill create brain damage over time. This is a serious issue if that's the case as I am just entering college and I already have a tough time getting enough sleep to have my brain functioning. :x

In all seriousness, I would just like unbiased input on what I should do. Expierence from all of you guys would be great. Again, i dont mean to come off the wrong way with my first post, rather just get input. Im really interested and would like to get some work in

Thanks

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 08 Nov 2007, 00:07

Hey, I browse this place quite often as I enjoy the site and its views on boxing. Being a fan, I actually found a nice gym. I'm considering trying it out as I would like to try to build on technique.

Hi Jay - welcome and don't let us scare you off.

Did you find a gym that is registered with USA Boxing? Learning in a pro gym or one that caters to white collar boxers will not get you ready for amateur competition.

Of course Amateur boxing it self is a dangerous sport and Ive had serious talks with some people. They claim that I shouldn't as Ill create brain damage over time.

Nothing like talking to alarmists who don't know a thing about amateur boxing. We are in the lowest percentage of sports injuries; I don't know any amateur boxers, and very few pros, who have brain damage. It is actually one of the safest sports due to the precautions we take with equipment (headguards) and we always put the safety of the boxers first, i.e. stopping one-sided bouts before a boxer does get injured.

Just enjoy yourself!

Jester Jay · Post by **Jester Jay** » 08 Nov 2007, 00:16

Hey man, thanks for the reply

Im not so sure, it's the Bumble Bee Boxing Club located in Seattle.

and yeah, I'm not quite sure on the brain damage. Decided to google earlier and found some articles with no links on long term damage. However some sites really opposed the sport and wanted to ban boxing as a whole it seems.

How long have you been boxing as an amateur. Id like to know your experiences

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 08 Nov 2007, 00:32

Hey man, thanks for the reply

Ooops - should have clarified since you're new. I'm a 67-year-old grandma who is an amateur boxing official and computer technician (20 years). Sorry for the confusion.

Im not so sure, it's the Bumble Bee Boxing Club located in Seattle.

Should be registered with USA Boxing and has produced some excellent boxers over the years. Please tell Willy "Bumble Bee" that Melanie said hello.

I've known him for many years.

and yeah, I'm not quite sure on the brain damage

.

Actually, I wouldn't stress over it. People either like boxing or they don't and most compare amateur boxing to the pros and there is no comparison.
The latest British Medical Journal just published the results of a study where they concluded that "there is no strong evidence to associate chronic traumatic brain injury with amateur boxing." And this is in a country where their medical association has been trying to ban boxing for years!

Kolya · Post by **Kolya** » 08 Nov 2007, 00:50

Jester Jay wrote:Hey man, thanks for the reply

Im not so sure, it's the Bumble Bee Boxing Club located in Seattle.

and yeah, I'm not quite sure on the brain damage. Decided to google earlier and found some articles with no links on long term damage. However some sites really opposed the sport and wanted to ban boxing as a whole it seems.

How long have you been boxing as an amateur. Id like to know your experiences

Oh God, Bumble Bee Boxing. Well, at least they're registered I guess. better than nothing.

Jester Jay · Post by **Jester Jay** » 08 Nov 2007, 01:05

haha gotcha boxmel

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 08 Nov 2007, 10:01

Kolya and Amy - have you had the pleasure of meeting Bumble Bee - seriously?

Jay - he's fine - just a tad on the crazy side. 8) If you want to explore some other gyms in the Seattle area, you can email me at [email protected] and I'll send you a contact.

the_one · Post by **the_one** » 08 Nov 2007, 11:31

hey man, i think u should go for it, boxing is the best sport of all cause it keeps u outta trouble, off the streets and def. keeps u in shape, so even if u dont want to box, u can still be in shape, but i think u should try it!!

squarering · Post by **squarering** » 08 Nov 2007, 11:38

Jester Jay, I would advise that you go to a couple different gyms and find a coach this is willing to talk to your for a few minute about what you want and your concerns and how he runs his program. I am sure you will be able to get a good feel of who you would like to work with after that. I too agree that you should make sure the gym is a current USA Boxing member and that the coaches have a current certification between 1-4, it is not the best indicator of how good a coach they are but it will tell you how involved they are with amateur boxing. Ask how often they compete and how much they travel to local, regional, and national compititions, that says quite a bit about a program. The biggest risk of brain damage in this sport come from working with some of these kids as a coach, believe me.

Kolya · Post by **Kolya** » 08 Nov 2007, 15:19

boxmel wrote:Kolya and Amy - have you had the pleasure of meeting Bumble Bee - seriously?

Jay - he's fine - just a tad on the crazy side. 8) If you want to explore some other gyms in the Seattle area, you can email me at [email protected] and I'll send you a contact.

Went to an event that they were organizing in Puyallup this year. I wasn't impressed with the officiating or the quality of some of the boxers at all-one kid from Bumble Bee stopped his opponent with a freakin' rabbit punch. I'm sure they've put out some good boxers; but I was talking to the rabbit punch KO artist and when he showed me his passbook it wasn't even correctly filled out.

This is besides what happened within my own match at said event.

babyhuey · Post by **babyhuey** » 09 Nov 2007, 19:34

we have competed with bumble bee for years,
i really like willie alot, hes been in the game along time,
hes produced some great amateurs like david jackson and walter wright
i havent ever been to his gym, but he cant be held responceable for bad judgeing at his shows, its the mostly the same judges at these shows,
no disrespect to them, but i see bad judging everywhere,
so i guess out of respect for willie, i felt i needed to say that.
coach jamie
beaverton pal.

Kolya · Post by **Kolya** » 09 Nov 2007, 19:59

babyhuey wrote:we have competed with bumble bee for years,
i really like willie alot, hes been in the game along time,
hes produced some great amateurs like david jackson and walter wright
i havent ever been to his gym, but he cant be held responceable for bad judgeing at his shows, its the mostly the same judges at these shows,
no disrespect to them, but i see bad judging everywhere,
so i guess out of respect for willie, i felt i needed to say that.
coach jamie
beaverton pal.

Oh, I know he can't. Actually, from what I remember, he was kind of ticked off with the officiating at the particular event I was at and some of the officials at the least heard from him about it; if not having their officials credentials dropped or some such.

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 09 Nov 2007, 20:11

I wasn't dissing Willie. He's one of my favorite boxing characters and, as has been mentioned, produced David and Walter.

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » 09 Nov 2007, 23:22

squarering wrote:Jester Jay, I would advise that you go to a couple different gyms and find a coach this is willing to talk to your for a few minute about what you want and your concerns and how he runs his program. I am sure you will be able to get a good feel of who you would like to work with after that. I too agree that you should make sure the gym is a current USA Boxing member and that the coaches have a current certification between 1-4, it is not the best indicator of how good a coach they are but it will tell you how involved they are with amateur boxing. Ask how often they compete and how much they travel to local, regional, and national compititions, that says quite a bit about a program. The biggest risk of brain damage in this sport come from working with some of these kids as a coach, believe me.

Hal, is that coaching brain damage caused by getting in the ring with Fernando or is it from trying to teach something to kids who won't listen?

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » 09 Nov 2007, 23:37

Jester Jay
I started boxing at age 14. I took the SAT test when I was in 7th grade and then again when I was in 11th grade. My scores increased dramatically even though I boxed for several of the years in between. I then went to college and continued to box. I didn't compete a lot, but I did spar quite often. I graduated Magna Cum Laude from college. During Law School at The Ohio State University I continued to spar for fun. I then graduated and passed the bar exam with ease on my first try. Since becoming an attorney over 14 years ago, I have probably sparred well over 2,500 rounds. Maybe over 5,000 rounds. I don't keep count. Many of those rounds have been with top amateurs and pros. I'm starting to slow down with it now, b/c of age not because of brain damage. My two sons have both boxed since they were very young. Jordan has boxed for 10.5 years and Niall has boxed for 8 years. It is a safe sport, but it is NOT AN EASY SPORT. Good luck.

babyhuey · Post by **babyhuey** » 10 Nov 2007, 16:06

Dennis wrote:Jester Jay
I have probably sparred well over 2,500 rounds. Maybe over 5,000 rounds. I don't keep count.

now had you not sparred and took so many punches you would of remember how many rounds you sparred..!!...

j/k..as most of my friends growing up, my wife will witness,
i wasent that smart before i boxed, so boxing has given me a
excuse to be how i am....and im greatfull for that....

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » 10 Nov 2007, 17:38

Good point Babyhuey. It is either those punches or the stress of coaching.

Roberts J · Post by **Roberts J** » 10 Nov 2007, 19:58

Just don't get in there with a experienced pro, who doesn't know how to control his power with a beginner. This always, ends up very very badly.

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » 11 Nov 2007, 01:11

Roberts J wrote:Just don't get in there with a experienced pro, who doesn't know how to control his power with a beginner. This always, ends up very very badly.

Some pros work very well with beginners, while others do not.

squarering · Post by **squarering** » 13 Nov 2007, 00:45

Dennis, It was the later. I got the sparring with him down now. We do a round robin where I work offense and he works defense, the I bring in the third guy and let him work defense while Fernando works offenses. Then I come back in and start all over again. that way we all get equal work....right?

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » 13 Nov 2007, 01:55

Sounds like the pro only gets to play defense. I guess he never got to work with Olympic team's Offensive Coordiantor!