For most people, boxing is a lifestyle and extreme sacrifices are made in pursuit of becoming a professional boxer. Whether you've already started or want to start your dream of becoming a boxer, there's no better time than now to start taking the steps to becoming a professional boxer.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Join a Boxing Club
Step 1. Choose a boxing club
You need to find a club that is affiliated with a national boxing organization and also has a reputation for training boxers. If you're serious about this, don't go to a gym that has classes for boxing. You need a training ground that focuses on boxing (and other martial arts).
Chances are high that if you search for information, you'll find a place with the best reputation in your area. There is no doubt which club you will join
Step 2. Talk to a trainer
He will explain the hours of operation, costs and how to practice. You can also find out his experience as a boxing coach and whether he was a boxer in the past. Meet the employees there and get a feel for the place. If you're feeling excited and full of anticipation, this may be the place for you.
Make sure you ask. Find out what they recommend for you and which training to start with. What is their schedule? Who will work with you? How did you get to meet everyone there? Make sure you know what you're getting before you join
Step 3. Check club membership
You want a club that has a variety of members at different levels. As your skills improve, you will want to spar with other people. A club with boxers with abilities at different stages means there will be people who can train with you and you can grow with the club.
- Think of it like entering a restaurant: if there were no diners, you wouldn't be eating there. And if there's only one person wearing a blue hat and you're not wearing a blue hat, you probably won't eat there. If it's just someone looking sad, you probably won't eat there. So behold; does the customer look A) fit and competent and B) satisfied with the training?
- If possible, look for people who “don't” work there, about the place. Sometimes you need the opinion of an unbiased person to get an honest opinion.
Step 4. Familiarize yourself with the basics
Before you start training with a trainer, it's a good idea to know the basics of boxing and its terminology. You don't need to be proficient, you just need to know a little about what the other club customers are talking about. Start with the following:
- Jab. This is the busiest type of punch boxing. This is a simple punch aimed at your opponent's chin with your "main hand" (same hand as the front foot).
- Cross (cross). This type of stroke uses your dominant hand. This is a punch with power. This stroke involves a slight twist of your torso, which simulates a horizontal "cross" motion through your plane.
- Uppercut (a punch with a swinging motion from the bottom up). This punch ends up in your opponent's chin or solar plexus. Hit from close range and can be a deadly blow.
- Hook (hit with sideways motion). Short sideways strokes with your elbows pointing outwards and outwards so that your arms form like hooks.
- Southpaw (left-handed punch). This is a left-handed boxer punch (either naturally or trained). For "normal" boxers, they do it all the other way around. Due to their different stances, they fought on top of each other.
- Outside (outside) and inside (inside) boxers. Outer boxers like to keep their distance, stepping closer when jabbed. The inner boxer likes to fight up close, and likes the uppercut type.
Part 2 of 4: Starting Your Practice
Step 1. Start working with your coach
Your instructor will show you basic boxing moves such as the jab, uppercut and hook and not only will you know the terminology, you will start to become proficient. You will also be given directions for footwork, how to take the correct position and defensive moves.
A good trainer will also practice your secondary skills, such as endurance and agility. When he tells you to run around the building, it's for good reason. And don't expect to train with an opponent; your coach will let you know when you are ready
Step 2. Begin a complete physical exercise program
The ways for a boxer to improve himself are endless. A good program includes heavy punching bag and speed punching bag training, circuit training and jumping rope. At least you train outside the boxing ring several times a week.
You should be doing cardio and weight training, on top of improving your secondary skills with dancing, yoga, regular training and core training. And with that, leave a day or two a week to relax; Don't let your body get tired without fighting
Step 3. Begin to exercise intensively
Exercise like this lasts 90 minutes and is done three to four days each week. A good workout for boxing consists of 20 minutes of sit-ups and push-ups, 20 minutes of stationary cycling and then 30 minutes of running. End with 10 minutes of jumping rope and 10 minutes of boxing with a punching bag or, if possible, with an opponent.
A 3 mile run should be fine for you. Combine it with jumping rope, jumping jacks, sit-ups, pushups, and punching bags. See how long you can hold on before you tire and your technique drops
Step 4. Remember to stretch
You should do 20-30 minutes of dynamic stretching (rotating joints, fixing stiff points, not holding back long stretches) before training and/or training your opponent. After the workout take time for long static stretches (stretches that are held for a long time). This avoids injury and reduces muscle stiffness.
You might laugh, but practicing yoga is a good idea. This will help tone your muscles, flexibility and range, and relax your body and be ready for anything. Not yet able to provide assistance for peace of mind and focus
Step 5. Start your athlete's diet
All professional boxers follow a diet or nutrition program. Practice is meaningless if you don't eat right. After all, if you eat incorrectly, your performance is not optimal. Your body is the moneymaker in this case.
What is a boxer's diet? A diet high in healthy protein; especially chicken, fish (such as salmon and tuna), eggs, peanut butter and fruit and vegetables. Also include healthy fats, such as olive oil, aukat and nuts. Your body needs a balance of nutrients, including fat, to get through all the hard work you're forced to do
Step 6. Practice your endurance
You might think this is cardiovascular endurance, and it is, but it also means two “other” types of endurance:
- Foot Resistance. To be a good boxer, your feet must always move. Sometimes it's in the little moments, that becomes more difficult to do. After a few rounds of boxing, your feet will feel like cement. You can extend the endurance of your legs by doing activities such as jumping rope.
- Shoulder Resistance. When your shoulders are exhausted, your defenses are gone. You can't even hold your hands in front of your face when your shoulders are tired. So train with a speed punching bag and do arm resistance training consistently.
Step 7. Train your mind too
Boxing is not just boxing. Of course that is the point, but you need other skills to make you more complete and ready for the future. Don't laugh just yet; consider some of these ideas:
- Take dancing lessons. Many athletes, not just boxers, take dance lessons. Why? Dancing is about balance, flexibility, and flexibility; three skills that are important in sports.
- Take acting classes. You want to do promotions, advertisements, and get sponsors right? You also don't want to appear incompetent when you do it. So improve your skills in front of the lights to show your charm.
- Study sports and business management. This is for two good reasons: A) you don't want to be like Mike Tyson and waste all your money, nor do you want to be influenced by people who want to take advantage who say "they deserve a waiver" and B) you want to have a future. Your body can't box forever, so having a related skill can help you make the transition to being a coach or as a promoter.
Part 3 of 4: Become an Amateur Boxer
Step 1. Find an amateur boxing organization in your area
This can be obtained quickly over the internet or by talking to an acquaintance of yours at a boxing club. When you're ready, your coach will know too. You can find out too.
This step is more administrative work. Visit the USAboxing.org page (if you are based in the United States of course) for a list of information by region. After doing this, you can find open sparring activities that you can participate in
Step 2. Register yourself as an amateur boxer
You can do this by filling out an application form and having a medical examination from your doctor. This is done at the regional level through the Regional Sports Commission if in the United States.
You will need to contact the necessary people to get your license to compete. There are minimal fees and they vary by region. Apart from that, only filling out forms and physical examinations
Step 3. Get into a boxing match that doesn't win the title
Matches like this are a boxer's way of gaining experience. Match results aren't recorded in your fight log, but it's a safe and practical way to gain experience. You can find information about upcoming matches through your contacts and through your organization's website.
You will be graded according to your age, weight, and record at first. You can become an amateur boxer in the United States from the age of 8
Step 4. Start your amateur boxing career
The difference between amateur and professional boxing is that you are allowed to wear head protection. This is very important early in your career in order to avoid fatal injuries while learning how to protect yourself.
Again, you will be assigned according to your weight, age group and class, starting as a “new person” if you are 17 or older. You'll start in local and regional tournaments, with the long-term goal of competing in the United States Amateur Championship and earning a place on the United States boxing team
Step 5. Don't just fill in the blanks in your weight class
Some of the coaches are a bit unclear. They will encourage you to fill vacancies in certain classes so they can get started right away and they can make a profit from you. Do not do this; often this is not healthy and your body can be injured more easily. Only play where you feel comfortable, not where your coach directs you.
Think about where your weight usually is (if you're consistent and healthy, of course). You can fight around 5 pounds more or less, but more than that can weigh you down and become unhealthy
Step 6. Be healthier
You will be dealing with truly talented individuals. You might think you're healthy and fit right now, but you'd be surprised at the progress your body can make, especially in endurance. At this level, you should be able to do:
- Run 3-5 miles without getting tired
- Jump rope for 30 minutes straight
- Hitting a heavy punching bag for 15 minutes non-stop
- Can practice against amateurs from anywhere (excluding professional-level amateurs with more than 100 fights)
- Practice against twice the required number of rounds (amateur boxing is 3 rounds)
Part 4 of 4: Become a Professional Boxer
Step 1. Improve your defense, speed, power and sense of autonomy
Let's go over each of these four things:
- Defense. You will do between 60-150 strokes “every round”. It doesn't matter how strong your punch is; You need to have shoulder resistance and keep your guard up and always give 100%.
- Speed. You will fight against the fastest enemy you will ever face. It doesn't matter how strong you are; if you can't hit the punches because you're too slow, you're not going anywhere.
- Power. This is obtained with good technique. Of course, throwing wild punches can hit your opponent in the end, but you'll only get tired of it. You have to be able to concentrate your energy and control it. Throw it away and you will lose.
- Autonomy. By now, you should be on autopilot. You don't have time to think, “Okay… now I'm going to do an uppercut… put your hands up… oh time to duck,” like that. Every move should react automatically.
Step 2. Find a manager
Your manager has connections to boxing match makers who will set you up for a fight. You will make money, but remember that at least 20% of your pay will go to the manager and fight maker. Even so, it's worth it; they are the ones working to elevate your reputation.
You are now in the boxing community. You will know which managers are in your area and which are legitimate. If you have talent, they will surely attract you. Just make sure you can work with them and can be trusted
Step 3. Don't quit your job
Big boxers from the big ones out there drive fancy cars, make millions, and maybe only fight a few times a year. Then there are the mid-level ones who can get time on television and can make a few thousand dollars quickly. But then there's the rest. You haven't been bathed in gold for quite some time, so in the meantime stick to your daily work.
It's like Hollywood; You don't realize how many people are still trying to achieve success. It's normal to start with. And remember that up to 50% of your income goes to people below you, such as promoters or managers. Keep a steady income by having a side job
Step 4. Get a license
You need to join a professional boxing association (IBF, WBC, WBO, or WBA) and get a boxing license from the boxing commission where you will fight. This is called “alphabet soup” or alphabet soup. Called like this because of the many associations that emerged quickly. If you don't fit into any of the associations, there are plenty of others for you to choose from.
In the United States, again, this is done at the regional level. Each region has different requirements, from experience as an amateur to having a manager. At a minimum, prepare your birth certificate and social security card; there will be a lot of administrative matters
Step 5. Crawl up the ranks
Your main goal is to win the championship belt. If you can hold three of the four championship belts, you are classified as a “Super Champion”. Holding all four championship belts makes you a “True Champion.”
This takes time and hard work, plus avoiding injury and defeat. Your skin should become thicker. Boxing can eliminate the weak in body "and" weak in mind
Step 6. Refer to the professionals for inspiration
The media can glorify certain people. Famous boxers are those who have charisma and can master the camera, like Jack Dempsey. But if you investigate further, there is no particular type for boxers, other than the fact that some boxers are not ordinary.
- Always remember that talent and results don't always mean success. Gene Tunney won twice against Jack Dempsey, but his calm personality didn't get him in the spotlight, unlike his friendless and very open foe. Not all boxers seek fame. Take a lesson from them that boxers come from all corners of life.
- Need some inspiration you can get it all? Look at Calvin Brock, the “boxer banker.” He's an educated person with a solid career in banking when he turned professional. If you're in college, don't worry. It's still doable.
- On the other hand, you are never too young either. Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz turned professional when he was “sixteen. He didn't last long, but he did it anyway. Now he has a law degree and is quite successful. Whichever path you take, you'll be fine.
Tips
- Always respect other boxers! It helps you become a better boxer and a valued person.
- For bigger people: focus on your speed because you already have great power. Smaller people focus on the abdominal area and exercise more for added power.
- If you decide that professional boxing isn't for you, there are many jobs in the sport of boxing that could be of interest to you.
Warning
- Once you become a professional boxer, be careful not to get pulled into harsh conditions outside the boxing ring. If you attack people with your bare hands and get caught, it could be a burden on you in court knowing your hitting power.
- A career in boxing can result in serious injuries that result in fatal or permanent damage.
- You may be interested in this sport because of the large amount of money. Very few boxers make it to the top and for most of them, the earnings in the ring are in addition to their regular earnings.
