Preparing for Golden Gloves

[sittingduck]

Hey Guys

I have been practicing boxing for about a year and a half now. I think I am in pretty decent physical shape and I have decent power and speed in my punches. I weigh about 180 and am looking to cut down to around 168 for GG in March. I stand at about 6'2 and I will have a decent height advantage I think. My training right now consists of the following:

Leg works, ab workouts, upper body workout for building lean muscle. A lot of the exercises I do are plyometrics.

For conditioning I work the heavy bag, jump rope, and run. I do 3-4 min rounds on the heavy bag, normally for 6-10 rounds. I jump rope for 15-30 minutes and my running varies from 3-7 miles.

For technique I train on the mitts with 2 former pro fighters. I also spar with them. I am still getting my ass handed to me, but I can tell I am definitely improving. Sparring is definitely my favorite thing at this point.

I also work the double ended bag and speed bag.

I eat a good, healthy diet high in protein and vitamins. I don't drink or smoke.

I want to hear what you have to say about what I am doing and where I can improve. I am confident in my physical condition, it is my technique that concerns me the most. I back up too much in sparring because sometimes I am scared to move around the opponent. It's a bad habit that I am working on. Thanks in advance for critique.

[Austin123]

For strategy I practice on the safety gloves with 2 former pro competitors. I also fre with them. I am still getting my ass passed to me, but I can tell I am definitely enhancing. Training is definitely my preferred factor at this factor.

[toehead]

sounds like your doing everything right maybe ad some sprinting? just listen to your trainers, as far as your weight that's just going to be a matter of calorie control Good Luck with your fights!

[Ray Corso]

You should train to one time and thats a THREE minute round! Theres no 4 minute rounds in boxing! You may be fighting 2 minute rounds if thats the GG ruling for novice fighters, can't remember if GG was the same as USA/ABF!
6 to 8 rounds on a heavy is alot of rounds. If your working combos for 2 and then conditioning for 2 and moving laterial for 2 I get it but to do the same thing for 6 isn't getting it done! If you work the same routine in 6 up your tempo and punch rate and finish in 4!!!! Spar as much as you can if you know enought to get in there.
Stop "practicing" and start training! Jump rope using rounds, get 3 minutes in your head so that you know when the bell is 5 seconds away! Everything thats on the move other than "road work" is on the clock THREE minutes, One minute rest!!!!!!
Chin ups (reversed)(multi-grips)
Sit ups (every kind you can think of)
Medicine ball
Different sized speed bags at different heights!
Shadow in a full length mirror to check your form offensively & defensively.

You have a boat load to do and time flies by once your 3 months from a tourney! good luck, if your in the "open class" you'll have a bunch of J.O.s (junior olympics) in there with you some of those kids will have 100 to 200 fights. Beware of the 17 year old who's quiet and looks shy hahaha!!!
Ray

[mconstantine]

Your activities look good, but with anything, the devils in the details. It's about how you're training on the heavy bag, mitts, sparring etc.

When using the heavy bag

Be visualizing you opponent.
Incorporate defense
Practice using your height, pumping jabs, double jabs, dropping the right hand down on the guy as he slips to one side
Assume your opponent gets inside of you and practice on the heavy bag on the inside. Not standing up straight...pivoting to change angle and never let them set up on you, dodging over hands...visualize all this when on the bag.
Practice mixing the speed/power/angle of your punches
Do punch drills to kill your shoulders. You never want your shoulders to get tired.

When on the Mitts
Develop and perfect your bread and butter combinations/moves
Develop and perfect your bread and butter slip/counter moves
Develop and perfect the Jab/Straight, Jab/Straight Power Upper Cut. All good combos for tall guys.

When you're sparring
You should be working on specific things...specifically different styles. You won't know who you'll be against. You might be fighting guys shorter, taller, faster, slower, stronger, weaker, more crafty than you who might be southpaw or othodox. You'll have to adjust quickly so you should be training to execute YOUR game plan but also knowing how to deal with different styles of fighters.

Good luck...physically it sounds like you have some advantages. Height is a great asset when used properly.

[sittingduck]

Great advice guys. I will take it all into account. Thanks.