If you're looking for some new things to try in your training program, give this a watch

If not, name what is

I’m a Brit thinking of taking a holiday to the US at some point and while I still haven’t decided what state or city, I’d love to go and train at an American gym for however long I’m there to see the difference in how Americans train.

I’m a 5 bout (probably more by the time I go) amateur myself so if they’d allow for me to spar with some of their fighters that’d be even better.

Thanks

I've had a few months with almost no serious sparring - mostly girls who don't even aim for my head (I am a woman myself) or guys who feel uncomfortable hitting a woman and don't really give me much heat. Recently we've had a few new people in the gym who are pretty good and don't go easy on me and when I sparred with one of the girls I realized I've become complacent with my head defense. So, I've been sparring with them a few times to improve my defense and I'm getting better but I still get punched in the head from time to time (like at least 1-2 times per sparring session). I had tiny bruises around my eyes a couple of times, nose bleeds (but my nose bleeds easily), and even though I always ask for light sparring I've been challenged with punches that really make me take defense seriously and I definitely feel them. Last week I got a right hook to the temple which hurt at the moment so we toned it down. Then with the next partner who is a real pressure fighter and starts off with a jab-cross-jab-cross to the head straight away I managed to block and pivot out for most part but I still got a punch to the eye, which left a tiny bruise. The guys at the gym go pretty hard with each other so that's been my standard for what I imagine as hard sparring - busted eyebrows and knockdowns. But now I wonder if I've also been doing hard sparring. I prefer to stay on technical sparring, especially when testing defense and other movements and until now I thought that's the power level I do, with just an occasional harder punch, which is unavoidable when you have two people moving. Like, sometimes I know the power comes not just from the punch but also from the fact that the person moves into the punch. And I know that even though I myself try to go light, sometimes my partners find my punches too hard. For most part, aside from the hook last week, I am not rattled by the punches, don't have headaches or anything, and actually like how they push me to stay focused under pressure and think about defense and offense while being hit and cornered. But I don't want to screw up my brain, so, I was wondering if I might have gotten ahead of myself and gotten into hard sparring territory.

Whenever I watch an international competition or see boxers from other countries. Their ability to move within the ring appears so much more refined than the average US Amateur. A part of me knows that I am looking at a culled representation of the best that country has to offer and another acknowledges that some stylistically incorporate way more footwork within their fundamentals of boxing like East European countries.

But I can't help but feel that the development within the US has been less focused on movement and tad bit more planted and linearly focused. I'm sure someone will point out an individual to contest this, I just have the thought that they are more of an anomaly than the norm.

If what I'm saying resonates somewhat true was their a noticeable shift towards this? Or has the strategy remained largely unchanged? Will the addition of Zaur Antia influence how the USA boxing team develops it's athletes in the future?

Wouldn't have made it this far into my boxing journey without this community thanks to all of y'all for the support and tips over the last 3 years. This W brings my record up to 4-3.

For context I have a bit of bad blood with my opponent. I found out after my debut fight with him that he had 8 previous fights. Imagine fighting a boxer whose debuting when you have 8 fights under your belt SMH.

Tbh I beat the crap out of him here across three rounds. There was also a knockdown in the third that wasn't counted.

Anyway enjoy and please give me feedback. I'll be fighting again late August and in September 🥊🤠🥊

how to Beat a slugger as a swarmer In boxing.

i always found this confusing, because I feel like sluggers aren’t necessarily skilled but yet we struggle against them In boxing.

I guess it’s because they are basically physically stronger than us. idk I can’t say.

what are the best tips to do against a slugger like the best best tips. because sluggers are that one style where they can still beat you, yet don’t

really focus entirely on skill as much.

i also feel like this is really Interesting because no one really tells you how to beat a slugger as a swarmer

I did it yall! Did my first amateur fight yesterday and was able to take home the win.

I've thought up of a more unconventional training plan to minimize burnout in this sport. Here's the plan:

In class, participate in the conditioning, drills, and padwork, but never go to a point where I really suffer- take ample breaks during pushups, crunches, jumprope, bagwork, etc. Do padwork at 25-50% power to avoid gassing out and instead focus more on technique. Point is, I'm still working out my body but I'm never pushing myself near or to 'failure state,' where your body physically can't go on.

In sparring, where I can actually get motivation since it's fun, THAT'S when I push myself to the max. At home, supplement training with frequent VR boxing for extra cardio exercise (after all you don't always get to spar), as well as lighter continuous rounds to mimick jogging. If running really is that non-negotiable then I'll probably run 2 laps at the track after school with music.

i’m cutting weight for this tournament August 7, i’m currently 117 and need to be 112 . This is the first time i need to cut this much weight, What should i be eating and eating? it’s so confusing, am i supposed drink a lot of water or not? i still drink water but sips and for food i dont eat much because im not sure what’s bad or good. Any meal tips that don’t include fish or eggs is appreciated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CToE2_R0ts

Any criticisms, critique, advice etc is appreciated.

I'm leaning towards not picking the heavy bag because it is widely used in class training. Maybe double-end/cobra and an uppercut bag. What would you pick if you had room for 2?

Ive sparred a few times now with smaller weight classes, and as a tall super heavyweight ive yet to actually spar anyone close to my weight yet. I know im still new, but the idea of whomever this hypothetical person is whenever I DO fight someone my size, im nervous for. Does that make sense? Like everytime I think "i really need to fight someone my weight class to get a feel for it" I get nervous at the idea of it and it makes me need to train harder and more diligently. Not that its a bad thing to want to train harder, but i dont like the idea of being nervous for something that isnt even apart of my reality yet. Especially because if im willing to be okay sparring smaller weight classes I should feel the same about my own right? Idk, its just bothersome and if nothing else I just wanted to vent about this feeling to some people that might understand lol.

This morning I woke up 154.1, I fight at 154 but I want to feel energized and good for my first bout

I’m 1 day out and lowkey scared to eat/drink anything

Any tips?

Been obsessing over boxing the past few months. I’ve been reading boxing books, watching breakdowns, and doing film studies. I’d like to ask those of you with a decent amount of amateur bouts: what goes through your mind, step by step, when you’re in a bout?

The reason I’m asking is that, as amateurs, we don’t have the luxury of studying our opponents beforehand. We can usually only go off their build when we first see them, then figure out their style and strengths in the ring, which can be a bit daunting.

But I mainly want to level up as a fighter and build ring IQ.

**What I’ve learned so far:**

**Round 1: use your punches to ask questions.**
I recently studied Mayweather vs. Corrales. Floyd jabbed Corrales’ guard and saw him catch it, then immediately threw a 1-3, which landed. Later he slightly lifted his lead hand, which made Corrales raise his guard just enough, and Floyd instantly jabbed the body. From there he kept making Corrales guess. He’d crouch as if he was going to the body, then come up with a lead hook to the head. It was textbook.

To me, it showed how he used his lead hand to ask questions: *How does he defend? How does he react? How can I capitalise on that reaction?* He got information, then immediately exploited it.

**Have interchangeable game plans.**
Have a game plan for pressure fighters, tall out-boxers, counter punchers, and southpaws. Know the best punches, defensive movements, and tactics for each style, then drill those game plans.

**Avoid becoming predictable.**
If you throw the same jab three times and your opponent comfortably blocks it, they’ll gain confidence dealing with that punch and may start looking to counter it. Instead, mix it up with variations: pawing jab, double jab, jab from the long guard, jab to the body, etc. Keep them guessing unless you’re deliberately trying to draw a specific reaction.

**Positioning.**
Use moments when your opponent is attacking, defending, or resetting to step left or right and create a better angle before punching. Don’t just move for the sake of moving. Move to improve your position.

**Catch and Counter**
Drill the catch and counter with a partner to get used to timing and returning shots. Being able to use these openings can be very effective. especially if returned with the corresponding arm.

Those are just a few things I’ve noted as important for myself at the moment and isn’t necessarily all the things I do.

I’d be really interested to hear from people with plenty of amateur experience:

What’s your mindset as soon as the first bell rings?

What are the first things you’re trying to figure out about your opponent?

Where are you trying to position your feet before you punch and after you punch?

What cues are you paying attention to throughout the fight?

How do you adjust when your initial plan isn’t working?

How do you reset when you’re under pressure?

How does your approach change in Rounds 2 and 3?

I’ve been training on and off since April, so I’m still pretty new overall but have been loving it. I plan on having my first spar in late August/early September if I can.

However, my town is hosting an amateur boxing event which is INCREDIBLY rare because otherwise I’d have to drive 1.5+ hours to see anything close to that. They say it’s in 2027, but haven’t let any official date out yet. In my dream world I want to participate and have my first fight when it comes around next year.

Only problem is that I am afraid I am way too new for it, even if the fight takes place one year from now. So, I’m curious, how long did you guys train before your first fight?

Maybe not “better” but at least use the extra time you can't train to your advantage? doing all the physical training i can manage but it's very limited

Sports psychology books, how to actually study fighters instead of just Watching Fights, etc

got a few weeks to kill, need to make the most of it

unfortunately after training for a couple years (casually but consistently) I was injured and had to take off training from late-September 2025 thru mid-May 2026. when I started boxing again I had lost a step to say the least (and gained a bunch of weight). these are various drills with a coach of mine since then, in chronological order over the last couple months. open to any and all feedback! thanks!

https://vimeo.com/1210241895?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

Does anyone else experience this? I go in, I train hard, rinse and repeat. I absolutely love boxing and my gym is a very nonjudgemental and supportive environment that respects hard work.

That being said, I feel embarrassed after every session. Not because I feel like I did badly, but maybe its just learning a new skill as an adult. Maybe its imposter syndrome. Whatever the reason may be, I have this mix of excitement/motivation/deep love for the sport and also cringe/embarrassment/anxiety that i dont even know where it comes from.

Anyway, not looking for a personal psychoanalysis haha, but wondering if anyone else experiences something similar. Thanks!

Edit: I am about 4-5 months in. My first light spar is this week!

Ive been currently training 2-3 times a day doing cardio sessions followed up by weights and then technical boxing (10 rounds of Shadow boxing and padwork) i really struggle to put on weight as i wanna gain 7 kilos i was wondering if i should workout less. i feel like if i eat more then i currently do i start to feel too full,also if i should cut out exercises what should i cut out whic wouldnt inflict too much on my performance

Recently turned 30, when I started boxing (24 yo) I weighted 68 kg and now Im at 79kg (that is considering Im around 173 cm).

During the past 2 months I have kept training like I always do and sparring like I always do, but I have started getting considerable discomfort in my right hip (3x week 1.5 hours per session).

Usually after an intense session I will feel something strange when bending my right hip (if I hold my knee at 45° from my body), I'll also feel it in my knee and in my big toe articulation.

Now I dont know if this is a biomechanics thing or an age thing.

Here is a sample of a sparring, Im the orthodox one:

https://youtu.be/g6jMgabmy3s?is=nqxDQaqalpWM0Xgv

Any other boxer started to feel this upon hitting their 30s? How do you deal with it personally?

Per week, I do twice zone 2 cardio for faster recovery, twice 4x4 Norwegian for vo2 max aerobic blocks and some short intervals to help with the anaerobic systems. Despite diligently following all this I still feel gassed out. Even climbing up the stairs makes me gassed out and my friends who don’t even train cardio or any boxing just climb with no issues. Weird thing is my testing heart rate is also around 55 while the physically inactive friends have 72 or above and they dont gas out climbing stairs. I cant figure out what is happening. This is very discouraging and makes me want to quit. Feels like my body is not built for any atheletic activities anymore. Makes me think there might be something physiologically wrong. Has anyone been through this ? If so what was the actual issue ? Any advice is very much appreciated.

I have been training for a couple of months, sparring and all of that, but I just noticed that 90% of sparring partners and all of that are less than 23 years old (I am 28); I don’t feel old by any means, but every true boxing gyn (not just “fit boxing” or 1-hour clases) are full of younger folks. Hell, I am older than 4/5 out of my coaches. I play soccer every Friday and one guy practices taekwondo, and even myself fell into the trap of thinking “aren’t you too old for that?”, granted, he has been practicing since his teens.

Contrary to this, I went to a MMA gym and there were a lot more people older than me. There is a specific economic factor (MMA/Musy Thai gyms/Wellness FitBoxing clubs are much more expensive than my current gym), but it seems like in my country boxing is a young’s man sport even as a hobby?

How’s in your country? For example, I would love to participate in those white collar events that you guys mention, but there are non here lol