Boxing, what should I know?

[JohnSp]

Alright hey guys, I'm pretty new to these forums and to the whole boxing scene in general. First off let me start off by saying, I'm damn glad I found this website. It's addicting too! There's just soo much information on these forums. Anywho, let me tell you a bit about myself.. I'm a 20 year old guy, who recently moved out to Denver, Colorado from Washington and after living here a for a few months I realized I need to get into something. I am a big fan of hockey and snowboarding both of which I have been doing for about 4 years now, but that's not enough... And that is where boxing comes in. I watched a fight about a week ago on tv and it really put me to the edge of my seat! I've been pretty chubby my overall life, but starting back in June of 09 I began shredding off the pounds. I went from 215 lbs. to 165 lbs. (which is what I am at now). I've been pretty short overall too, I am only 5'8 with a reach of 68". Starting in January of this year I began lifting weights about 4-5 times a week, I have my whole routine set and I'm pushing it! I can already see and feel my muscles getting denser and larger. See I have never really been a big fan of sports except for hockey and snowboarding. But finally I found something that I want... sometimes it feels like I need it too. Although I have never stood in a ring, I want to be the best that I can be and not only an average fighter. I am ready to do what ever it takes to become the best. But where do I start?

Soooo now that you know some background about me. I was wondering... What do I really need to know to start off training and well boxing. I know its going to hurt, but hey no pain no game right? Don't get me wrong I've done martial arts in the past, but it really never lured me in like boxing does. There's something different about standing in the ring with another monster and determining who can last the longest and who can truly be number 1. And thats what I am going for, I know it is a long shot. But I am extremely dedicated and I WILL put in 150% of my effort into this.

I just have no clue where to start. I found a boxing gym about 5 minutes away from my place but I don't know whether it would be better to wait and get a little more in shape before I join or to just go for it and start training right now...

So far I have been doing a 2 mile run everyday while lifting weights 4 days a week. I've also tried getting into the whole jump rope scheme of things but so far my foot work is horrible and I just get extremely tired after a few minutes of skipping. Practice makes perfect though. So are there any other work outs I should be doing?

I am taking boxing very seriously, and I do not just want to get in shape or stay fit. I want to push my self to my limits and show others that I can and will be number one.

Thanks again everyone for your time and support!
-John

[Chip2006uk]

I just have no clue where to start. I found a boxing gym about 5 minutes away from my place but I don't know whether it would be better to wait and get a little more in shape before I join or to just go for it and start training right now...

So far I have been doing a 2 mile run everyday while lifting weights 4 days a week. I've also tried getting into the whole jump rope scheme of things but so far my foot work is horrible and I just get extremely tired after a few minutes of skipping. Practice makes perfect though. So are there any other work outs I should be doing?

In my opinion you should get in better shape first before you join a gym, otherwise you will just get tired real fast and not learn anything. Keep up the running and keep up the skipping, it gets easier once you get the basic rythm down, stop lifting weights so much, especially not 4 days a week, maybe once a week max, but in general you dont wont to be getting muscular as hell. You can walk into a boxing gym looking like a steroid pumped monster but if you have no fitness/endurance you will fail big time, simple as that.

Incorporate more bodyweight excercises like pushups, burpees, pullups (invest in a cheap doorway frame bar) into your work out. To be honest you can completely eliminate weight lifting if you want. After all your goal is not to get any bigger right? Also since you are only 5"8 and 165lbs you'd have a massive height disadvantage at your weight class.

Basically in a nutshell, lose a bit of weight (around 15lbs or more if you can), do less heavy weights, more bodyweight and abs excercises. Keep up the running and try to get better at jump rope, then when you feel your fitness is at an ok level, start going to that gym and learning the basics.

[mrboxer]

start off by training lightly,nothing heavy,do some light rope skipping,shadow box and get the hang of throwing combos after a while when you seem and feel coordinated enough,you will start hitting the bag and get into sparring sessions

[Gojira]

if you want to lose weight, boxings your sport.

when i first started i was 14 stone. a year later im now 9st 9 pounds.

[JohnSp]

Thanks for the input you guys. So far after reading your responses, I've decided to do as you say and cut back on the weight lifting and limiting it to once a week.

Soo as you all recommend. I should probably lose another 15-20 lbs before I step into the ring due to my lack of heigh right? Is there some kind of average weight to hieght ratio for boxing? I mean I've thought about it, I can't weigh 170 at 5'8 and expect to do well lol, I mean **** have you seen those guys at that weight range, I'd get whacked around!

Also how is my reach compared to other fighters in my weight range? How about if I lost those 15 lbs and got down to 150 lbs?
I just measured it and it is 68"....

Anywho thanks for the help and let me know if anyone else has anymore tips and guidelines!

-John

[Bullrush]

Dude you dont need to lose any weight before you join a gym. Thats what the gyms are there for. Theyre supposed to get you in shape. Whats the point of going there if you dont even trust them to help you lose weight. Go and train RIGHT NOW. You will lose plenty weight once you start training.

[any craic lad?]

Thanks for the input you guys. So far after reading your responses, I've decided to do as you say and cut back on the weight lifting and limiting it to once a week.

Soo as you all recommend. I should probably lose another 15-20 lbs before I step into the ring due to my lack of heigh right? Is there some kind of average weight to hieght ratio for boxing? I mean I've thought about it, I can't weigh 170 at 5'8 and expect to do well lol, I mean **** have you seen those guys at that weight range, I'd get whacked around!

Also how is my reach compared to other fighters in my weight range? How about if I lost those 15 lbs and got down to 150 lbs?
I just measured it and it is 68"....

Anywho thanks for the help and let me know if anyone else has anymore tips and guidelines!

-John

not really a height to weight ratio like callebro currently fights at 122 and is 5 11 mike tyson fought at 200lb + and was 5 11 but if your think of going pro you would be at a severe disadvantage 170.if you are able to make 150 comfortably then ya that would be alri you have a good height for welterweight 147lb