Preparation for my first boxing match

[DutchBoxer]

Hello,

My name is Jeff, 20 years old and I'm from the Netherlands. I'm training for my first amateur boxing match, which will take place on the 28th of september. I'm gonna fight in the -75 kg (165lbs) class. My height is 182 cm (5' 11.7'').

I train 6/7 days a week:
- 2 times a week interval running
- 1 time a week strength training
- 6 times a week boxing training (sparring, heavybag, shadow boxing, jump rope, etc.)

I'm sparring alot of experienced (national top) amateur boxers. It's hard for me to focus on the basics because I compare myself with the more experienced guys who are much better. I dont have very much confidence about myself but my trainer say I'm doing pretty well for a beginning amateur boxer.

My question is:
What are the most important things to focus on for a beginning amateur boxer? I think I'm making things too complicated for myself.

I am a forward fighter but I don't want to end in a brawl. I try to pop-in and pop-out all the time. I have some problems with boxing against taller guys because I can't get in my punching ranges.

It really bothers me that I'm feeling so insecure about my boxing. I'm really a self-criticism. Nothing wrong with that, but sometimes it drives me mad. It makes me feel frustrated all the time after a sparring session. I think that my goals are too high, that I have to master everything. That's why I want some advice about the most important things to master as a beginning amateur boxer.

I think it's time for me to really focus on a game plan and the basics.

Thanks in advance.

Greetings,
Jeff

[NVSemin]

Hello,

My name is Jeff, 20 years old and I'm from the Netherlands. I'm training for my first amateur boxing match, which will take place on the 28th of september. I'm gonna fight in the -75 kg (165lbs) class. My height is 182 cm (5' 11.7'').

I train 6/7 days a week:
- 2 times a week interval running
- 1 time a week strength training
- 6 times a week boxing training (sparring, heavybag, shadow boxing, jump rope, etc.)

I'm sparring alot of experienced (national top) amateur boxers. It's hard for me to focus on the basics because I compare myself with the more experienced guys who are much better. I dont have very much confidence about myself but my trainer say I'm doing pretty well for a beginning amateur boxer.

My question is:
What are the most important things to focus on for a beginning amateur boxer? I think I'm making things too complicated for myself.

I am a forward fighter but I don't want to end in a brawl. I try to pop-in and pop-out all the time. I have some problems with boxing against taller guys because I can't get in my punching ranges.

It really bothers me that I'm feeling so insecure about my boxing. I'm really a self-criticism. Nothing wrong with that, but sometimes it drives me mad. It makes me feel frustrated all the time after a sparring session. I think that my goals are too high, that I have to master everything. That's why I want some advice about the most important things to master as a beginning amateur boxer.

I think it's time for me to really focus on a game plan and the basics.

Thanks in advance.

Greetings,
Jeff

That's typical Dutch I must say. I spent in NL 4 years, must say, you guys taking everything a bit too serious, things must be planned, discussed, checked, over-checked, approved, etc

I am not saying it is bad, but regarding your situation, first match, you take things too serious. Cardio, stance, simple defense - just cover up tightly, confidence, jab and one extra punch, basic ring cutting footwork. That's all you need.

Career-wise, I want to cite to Sugar Ray Leonard: "I never really said I wanted to be a world champion... What I always said that I want to be special. And I work on that hard". Why I say that? Dutch society is tough, success is very important, you feel the pressure there. However, if you do what everybody does, regardless the intensity, you are like everybody. I suggest you focus not on winning always, but on the performace, that the key to really big success. Check Bas Rutten, that guy is "special"

[Ray Corso]

Take pride & care into yout training! Work hard to learn and to be prepared and focussed as a young boxer should be.
Bring that into your bout and you won't have anything to worry about! When you do your best in training and your trainer has confidence in you then just go fight and stop reading so much into it! Work as hard as you can and never cheat yourself!



ps; running twice a week isn't going to cut it. Me and my fighters ran 6 of 7 days. Atleast 5 of the days were solid road work! Just a thought.........Ray

[DutchBoxer]

That's typical Dutch I must say. I spent in NL 4 years, must say, you guys taking everything a bit too serious, things must be planned, discussed, checked, over-checked, approved, etc

I am not saying it is bad, but regarding your situation, first match, you take things too serious. Cardio, stance, simple defense - just cover up tightly, confidence, jab and one extra punch, basic ring cutting footwork. That's all you need.

Career-wise, I want to cite to Sugar Ray Leonard: "I never really said I wanted to be a world champion... What I always said that I want to be special. And I work on that hard". Why I say that? Dutch society is tough, success is very important, you feel the pressure there. However, if you do what everybody does, regardless the intensity, you are like everybody. I suggest you focus not on winning always, but on the performace, that the key to really big success. Check Bas Rutten, that guy is "special"

You are right. I am taking things too serious. Somehow that's just me. I've always been a negative thinker. It's hard for me to focus on the things that I do well. I only pay attention to the things that I can do better. I really need to change my urge to 'overachieve'. When I set goals, I want it so badly that that It'll keep my mind busy all day long and that's kind of bothering me.

Nice quote, I do have to focus more on the performance and the amount of effort I put into the training. I have to change my way of thinking. I need more patience so I can get some kind of 'rest' in my state of mind.

Take pride & care into yout training! Work hard to learn and to be prepared and focussed as a young boxer should be.
Bring that into your bout and you won't have anything to worry about! When you do your best in training and your trainer has confidence in you then just go fight and stop reading so much into it! Work as hard as you can and never cheat yourself!

ps; running twice a week isn't going to cut it. Me and my fighters ran 6 of 7 days. Atleast 5 of the days were solid road work! Just a thought.........Ray

Thanks for the reply. What do you recommend? 2-3 days interval running and 2-3 days of steady pace running?

[DutchBoxer]

Maybe someone else got some tips for preparing for my first boxing fight?

[Ray Corso]

To prep for a 3 rds. at 3 minute on 1 min off my boxers would run stretch out very well and jog about a half of a mile then run (as good pace as you can) 3 miles! They would run that 5 days in a row, the 6th day would be early morning spar (Sat am) with a later night run about 2 miles easy pace! Sunday is a day off other than some light mid-section work and very light shadowing!

Some of those runs would have some sprints built into them. Like using power line poles to sprint in between too then continue the run for about 10 of them then sprint between 1 or 2 it just depends on their didstance apart, about 80 yards works well! Theres also inclines (hills) gradual, short and steep for harder work.........theres alot of road work to consider and so many surfaces and lengths to use to build strength and endurance!!!
To run your schedule isn't much work unless your a pre-teen but even my J.O. (junior olympic) ran what I've suggested. Especially if your entered in a tourney where you might box everyday or if your boxing once a week for 7 weeks in a row!
Good luck, why isn't your trainer involved? Ray Corso

[DutchBoxer]

Thanks for your reply. My trainer is involved, but I just want to do some extra work besides my regular boxing work-outs. I am going to add more roadwork to my program.

[charlesblond]

Keep calm about the whole training thing. im in the same situation as you and if you put your emotions aside you will find you become a much better fighter, if you want tips for your first fight however here i am.

1- first rule is to keep using your jab. even if you think its not working trust me it is and just keep it out there. it will drop your opponenents confidence and they will be scared to walk in on you. using your jab will also help you to find your distance and gain confidence.

2- by the second round you should have found your distance and now you can come in and throw some different punches. stick to the basic 12 112 and make sure you are always protecting your chin

3- as bad as it sounds body shots arent scored well enough in the ametuars so dont try and stick to there body, if it is completely open and hurting them, sure go ahead but body shots will only bring the result closer than it needs to be. you can use the body to change levely but make sure your scoring shots are too the head.

hope this helped mate, cheers.

[bugsybairan]

Hello,

My name is Jeff, 20 years old and I'm from the Netherlands. I'm training for my first amateur boxing match, which will take place on the 28th of september. I'm gonna fight in the -75 kg (165lbs) class. My height is 182 cm (5' 11.7'').

I train 6/7 days a week:
- 2 times a week interval running
- 1 time a week strength training
- 6 times a week boxing training (sparring, heavybag, shadow boxing, jump rope, etc.)

I'm sparring alot of experienced (national top) amateur boxers. It's hard for me to focus on the basics because I compare myself with the more experienced guys who are much better. I dont have very much confidence about myself but my trainer say I'm doing pretty well for a beginning amateur boxer.

My question is:
What are the most important things to focus on for a beginning amateur boxer? I think I'm making things too complicated for myself.

I am a forward fighter but I don't want to end in a brawl. I try to pop-in and pop-out all the time. I have some problems with boxing against taller guys because I can't get in my punching ranges.

It really bothers me that I'm feeling so insecure about my boxing. I'm really a self-criticism. Nothing wrong with that, but sometimes it drives me mad. It makes me feel frustrated all the time after a sparring session. I think that my goals are too high, that I have to master everything. That's why I want some advice about the most important things to master as a beginning amateur boxer.

I think it's time for me to really focus on a game plan and the basics.

Thanks in advance.

Greetings,
Jeff

Hey, Jeff, I think we have the same feeling about the first fight. I'm having mine this coming November. Not that I am not confident about my boxing but the over thinking. I can't avoid it. I realized it might be normal for first-time fighters because we want a sure win. But there's no such thing as a sure win in boxing so what we can do is train our hardest before the fight so that we won't regret anything no matter what the outcome is because we gave it our all.

About the training, I started my roadwork last July. I ran 5-6 times a week, alternating long moderate runs and interval sprints. I boxed twice or thrice, one of those sessions was sparring. I was also on diet because i am 5'5" and my weight was 141 lbs. I am now at 126 lbs and my goal for the fight is 6 pounds away. problem was I stopped for two months because of a shoulder injury while sparring. I didnt let that injury stop me from doing my roadwork though. Now I'm gradually coming back to the boxing gym while doing strength training, which I now really value. Haha. Bottom line, train your hardest when you can but never forget to rest too. Too much running may injure your foot or knee so keep track of the small changes in your body.

When's your fight? It would be nice if you update me with our progress for our first fight so we could compare. What's your target fighting weight?

Good luck, bro! Believe in your skills!

[V-spb]

What are the most important things to focus on for a beginning amateur boxer

Don't put on your boxing kit too early.
You might not realise it and will think you are calm but in fact by putting it on early you are likely to "burn" yourself
Don't warm up earlier that necessary for the same reason