BoxRec

Its back in the 1920s and you are coaching a Fighter for a 20 x 3 Minute Round Fight

What is your Training Routine?.

Roughly the same as for a 10 rounder or 12 rounder.. but you emphasize boxing over brawling -- and selectivity, timing, and accuracy with your punches.. Missing punches saps energy so picking your shots is key.

You get into the best shape possible for all 3 distances and be careful not to over-train.. That's key.. You focus less on the early KO and work harder on pacing and control when you spar and do mitt work.. You try to get your spar-mates to lead and expend energy.. You try really hard to put the early rounds in the bank because that puts pressure on your opponent to take more chances as the fight wears on.. Feeling that he's behind and has to get going, even if he's getting tired.. A tired boxer who's well behind on points is a vulnerable boxer who can be taken out.

It's an hour of boxing that takes 79 minutes so the pacing is different.. You still run 5 miles in 30 minutes as always... but every Sunday, or whatever day you take off of training each week run for an hour.. Don't worry too much about how much ground you cover and don't try to run 10 miles.. If you run 8.5 miles without being very winded you're doing well.. It's simple, if you like to throw 100 punches a round you throw 85 more selective ones.. If you like to throw 60 punches a round, you throw roughly 51 more selective ones.

Some of the strategies old timers used for 20-round fights are the same as boxing under a hot sun with a soaring temperature... Conserving energy by fighting a headier fight -- being more selective with punches, counter-punching more, not being as aggressive early, trying not to miss many punches because that tires you out, and using timing instead of aggressiveness... Also key is controlling the center of the ring.. Make your sparring partners move around the perimeter of the ring which uses more energy.. If your style is boxing and moving you need to settle down more and be conscious of the ring space.

You use a great deal of energy if you miss punches so defense, slipping punches, and counter-punching are keys... The plan should also be to step it up the final 5 rounds and finish strong... If you can spar for 16 rounds using 4 or 5 sparring partners the distance is not going to be any problem.