Amateur Boxing - When to start?
Posted: 29 Jun 2004, 16:05
This is a question that I have often thought about. I know obviously many of the greats start their training when they are in single figures. However, alot of these fighters to tend to go through a burnout stage in their career (i.e. Naseem Hamed). Even all time greats early starters like Marco Barrera and Floyd Mayweather go through a period in their mid twenties when they are not charging on all cyclinders.
I have attended many amateur shows (far more than proffesional contests) and still seing 11 and 12 year olds beating each other up (even highly skilled, classical boxers) is a sight I find hard to tolerate. IMO it feels wrong and looks wrong. I started much later (16) and I felt in control of the decision to step into the ropes. I think as a result I'm a more stable person have more trust on my own instincts (cause there are some poor coaches out there). I've seen guys in their 30's and with over 100 amateur contests under their belts and they still treat the coaches word as gospel, rather than thinking of their own strategies. IMO this is because they've been listening to them for over 20 years.
I personally think it takes 10 years of exerpience from when you lace on the gloves to when you start achieving your potential. Hamed was 8, many saw him as a world class Bantam by 18. I think the age limit for Amateur bouts should be moved to 14. Kids then have made up their mind for themselves about when to start, also there is nothing stopping then going to the gym and getting a feel of the atmosphere and action earlier.
Any views.
I have attended many amateur shows (far more than proffesional contests) and still seing 11 and 12 year olds beating each other up (even highly skilled, classical boxers) is a sight I find hard to tolerate. IMO it feels wrong and looks wrong. I started much later (16) and I felt in control of the decision to step into the ropes. I think as a result I'm a more stable person have more trust on my own instincts (cause there are some poor coaches out there). I've seen guys in their 30's and with over 100 amateur contests under their belts and they still treat the coaches word as gospel, rather than thinking of their own strategies. IMO this is because they've been listening to them for over 20 years.
I personally think it takes 10 years of exerpience from when you lace on the gloves to when you start achieving your potential. Hamed was 8, many saw him as a world class Bantam by 18. I think the age limit for Amateur bouts should be moved to 14. Kids then have made up their mind for themselves about when to start, also there is nothing stopping then going to the gym and getting a feel of the atmosphere and action earlier.
Any views.