BoxRec

Unless you want to be taking some hard shots back, likely from someone who's been training a lot longer than you, don't go all out. Only hit someone as hard as you want to get hit back is how to approach it. When you first spar, tell your partner that you're new to it too. It's very rare someone will give you a bit of a shoeing - unless ofcourse you go in there trying to take their head off.

As for exercises to prepare you for it... you can do all the preparation you want, but the best thing to do is just get in there and enjoy it

nothing better than building up those neck muscles than with wrestling bridges (front and back). Also, headstands....rotate around on your neck, front to back, side to side, circles, sometimes use no hands, etc. I also like to do isometric and reps using my hands to warm my neck up (front, back, sides on top near temple, and rotational on chin to each side).

Here is a Tip, Avoid getting Hit by Boxing.

Here is a Tip, Avoid getting Hit by Boxing.