how to become a boxer

Boxing is an extremely challenging sport. It requires endurance, toughness, speed, and most importantly mental fortitude. There are various reasons why people take part in boxing. Boxing is great for fitness, it hones ones self-defense skills, and it is just plain fun. However, there are many people who participate in boxing competitively too. When it comes to boxing, there are two levels. First is amateur boxing, and second is pro boxing (also known as prizefighting). The first step to a competitive boxing career is to first have an amateur career. Many newcomers to the fight game often ask me, how do I become an amateur boxer? I decided to write a detailed step by step guide on how to become an amateur boxer and ascend the ranks. So, how do you become an amateur boxer?

Start Training
Get The Right Equipment
Learn The Basics Of Amateur Boxing
Check Your Health & Fitness
Find A Local Amateur Boxing Club
Participate And Compete in Amateur Boxing Bouts

1. Start Training

The first step to becoming an amateur boxer is to start training. Training is fundamental since you will learn the basics of boxing and technique. There are various ways that you can train. In order to start training though you will need to first:

• Find a boxing gym

One of the best ways of training to become an amateur boxer is through the gym. A boxing gym helps you improve your fitness level and boxing technique that you need while fighting. You can identify a local gym that provides boxing training, just make sure you do some research prior and find the best gym. The boxing gym should have all the necessary facilities for boxing such as a ring where one can practice with other fighters. Punching bags, speed bags, and other equipment is also necessary. Try to train at the gym atleast three to five times a week.

• Find a boxing coach

With a personal trainer, it will be easy for you to learn boxing. A coach will give you personalized training, and they will be able to identify your strong and weak areas and look for ways to improve them. When choosing a coach, you should be careful as not all coaches are equal. You can find one from your local gym, by searching online or asking for referrals from other people. Just make sure the coach has a good track record with training fighters. A personal coach is more advantageous as you can both agree when the most convenient time is for your training. However, a personal coach is more expensive than non-private coaching at the boxing gym. Of course, with a personal coach you will speed up your boxing progress significantly.

2. Get The Right Equipment For Boxing

Boxing is a rough sport that one can suffer from injuries when you do not have the right equipment. Some boxing gyms will offer some essentials such as headgear and gloves while others will not offer. It is recommended that you get your own equipment though. Some of the equipment needed for boxing includes headgear, gum shields, groin guards, boxing shoes, gloves and skipping ropes. You can buy these essentials either online or from the local fitness stores. If you have a low budget, you can go for the used equipment that is in good shape. Here is a link to my complete guide on boxing gear. You can also check out my recommended gear section.

3. Learn The Basics Of Amateur Boxing

If you are interested in becoming an amateur boxer, you have to master the fundamentals of boxing. These include foot movement, defensive techniques, punching technique, and angles. You should learn these boxing fundamentals correctly and master them so you don't have any technical flaws later on in your career. Focus more on the areas you have trouble with compared to areas you naturally excel at.

4. Get Medical Check Done

Boxing requires you to be fit and in good health. You can start by finding a suitable diet that will help you with the energy you need for training. If you are overweight, you will need to cut off excess weight so that your size does not interfere with competing or training. It is also necessary that you do a medical check prior to fighting. The doctor will examine you to determine if you have a medical condition that may hinder you from boxing.

5. Join Your Local Amateur Boxing Club

The next step to becoming an amateur boxer is to join a boxing club. There are various boxing clubs that you can join, and you should select the one that suits you. Once you find the right one, you should register with them as an amateur boxer. During registration, you will be required to provide a doctors examination to prove that you are fit to engage in boxing activities. You will also be required to pay registration fees.

6. Start Practicing

Before you start to compete, it is important you continue to practice boxing. Practicing will help you use all that you have learned in your training. You should find a partner that you can train with and this should be an expert in boxing. The best way to practice is through sparring.

7. Start Competing In Amateur Boxing Competitions

If you have joined a boxing club, they will most likely have boxing events throughout the year. You should register and participate. They will give you an experience of what it is like to be in an actual boxing ring. The boxing events have different classifications depending on age and weight, and you should join the one that suits you. Once you are in this step, you have already become an amateur boxer. You can go to different amateur boxing competitions. Before going into these competitions, your trainer should advise you whether you are ready or not. During these competitions, you should be ready with the right gear and be ready to win or lose. To participate in the boxing competitions, you will need a license from the relevant authorities to prove that you have undergone the right training before becoming an amateur boxer.

Conclusion

Once you have become an amateur boxer, training does not stop there, but it is a continuous process. You will need to train and keep on improving on what you are not good at. Boxing requires endurance, and whenever you do not win from the fights in the competitions, you should not give up but practice to do better in the future. Boxing is a sport that does not require formal education, but all you need is the right training. Therefore, anyone can become an amateur boxer as long as they are willing to go through the above steps. However, you cannot typically participate in amateur boxing when you are over 40 years old.