Boxing Advice: From Bodybuilder to Boxer

[GarraRock]

I just started training in boxing about two weeks ago. It feels like I'm too slow, on my 3 day of training my trainer put me in sparring match with a golden glove boxer to see if I was durable. In the beginning i was ok but a minute in I tired quickly couldn't keep my hands up and I got destroyed lol. Here's the video (guy in black pants) https://********/hYbYimwGYAM
Should I just quit bodybuilding an focus on boxing or can I do both?

[Boxfan83]

I just started training in boxing about two weeks ago. It feels like I'm too slow, on my 3 day of training my trainer put me in sparring match with a golden glove boxer to see if I was durable. In the beginning i was ok but a minute in I tired quickly couldn't keep my hands up and I got destroyed lol. Here's the video (guy in black pants) https://********/hYbYimwGYAM
Should I just quit bodybuilding an focus on boxing or can I do both?

Emmanuelle Steward always used to say the best frame for a boxer is a lanky one. Long arm muscles are preferred over big tight 1s. But You can lift weights while you train boxing, Shane Mosley is a good example of a top fighter that did BUT if you notice as Shane went up in weight and added muscle, he didnt throw as many punches and I am sure it had to do with energy preservation. Large Muscles eat a lot of oxygen quick.

So I suggest if you want to keep muscle on up top, you will have to focus on leg strength and foot speed. Just starting out, you should really be focused on your foot work more than anything anyways. Also, before and after a good weight session, you should shadowbox. This will help with tightness and of course speed.

And lastly, if you are training for competition, I think its safe to say you will lose some muscle just from the aerobic exercises boxing requires but if you are bodybuilder I am sure you know how to preserve size...

[Richard P]

I just started training in boxing about two weeks ago. It feels like I'm too slow, on my 3 day of training my trainer put me in sparring match with a golden glove boxer to see if I was durable. In the beginning i was ok but a minute in I tired quickly couldn't keep my hands up and I got destroyed lol. Here's the video (guy in black pants) https://********/hYbYimwGYAM
Should I just quit bodybuilding an focus on boxing or can I do both?

Basically you can't have a Mr Olympia body and be a competent boxer the 2 don't go, I am yet to come across one. Anthony Joshua is the closest thing and he ain't exactly slick (but he's not bad)

Large muscles are a dead weight around your body, they require huge amounts of oxygen to fuel and that then fatigues you faster, if you want to be serious about boxing and maybe fight on a couple of local shows in your area, you will shred some weight.

You can always go for that KO round one style (hey big guys still pack big punches irrespective of technique, it's just mass) but if you adopt that attitude and come up against someone that can move, they will out point you all day.

I'm a competent AM and the only weights I do is squats and body suspension training with a TRX. As this works the core and the explosive fast twitch muscles needed to get some speed and oomph into those punches

[GarraRock]

Ok thanks guys, think I'm just gonna trim down to 170 and focus on footwork

[Richard P]

Ok thanks guys, think I'm just gonna trim down to 170 and focus on footwork

My advice, try to stay within 10lbs at most of your fighting weight as an AM, 3 reasons,

1 your body is probably not use to cutting weight and it is horrendous and exhausts the body, so train hard and stay close to fight weight allowing time for your body to adjust at the weight.

2 You don't have an army of people to help you, this ain't the pros, no dieticians, no sports masseuse, probably 2 coaches in your gym and you probably have a full time job to hold down.

3 this ain't the pros, no 6 month build up, no trash talking press conference, a lot of fights are taken with 6 weeks notice or less, and you want to spend your camp boxing, not 2 weeks of fat burning before you throw any punches

[Mr.MojoRisin']

Not bad for only 3 days.

Keep doing your current lifting routine. Nothing is wrong with that. Getting tired after a minute is normal for a beginner. You aren't Mr. Olympia or anything so your muscles aren't hindering your boxing ability. Just stick with it and you'll see better results.

[toehead]

What bothers me about your post is the fact that you were put in the ring to spar on your 3rd day to see if you were durable?? most gym's that I've been in wait around a month more or less and then usually the rule of thumb is to put you in with an experienced guy that won't take advantage of you not to see if your "durable" FIND ANOTHER COACH even if you have to go to another gym this one sounds like a loon

[Jovanny]

I think you can do both but in bodybuilding, you should focus on activities that don't only sculpt your muscles. Do explosive workouts where the energy of the movement is similar to throwing a punch, for example. Do workouts that are good also for stamina and agility.

But yeah, I agree with toehead that being put in the ring on your 3rd day with a Golden Gloves boxer is extremely weird.

[GarraRock]

What bothers me about your post is the fact that you were put in the ring to spar on your 3rd day to see if you were durable?? most gym's that I've been in wait around a month more or less and then usually the rule of thumb is to put you in with an experienced guy that won't take advantage of you not to see if your "durable" FIND ANOTHER COACH even if you have to go to another gym this one sounds like a loon

I thought the same thing when he put me in the ring lol. I wish I could switch gyms but it's the only gym in my town. But I haven't been back in the ring since that day. I'm working on my technique, footwork, and stamina now.

[Jovanny]

I thought the same thing when he put me in the ring lol. I wish I could switch gyms but it's the only gym in my town. But I haven't been back in the ring since that day. I'm working on my technique, footwork, and stamina now.

You know, I've been going to the gym for over a month, three times a week (two times when I'm busy) and when I asked the coach about sparring he said it was still too early. Of course you have have decent skills for sparring not to be completely pointless (and dangerous). A good coach should know that strength/power alone doesn't make one a good boxer.