Any boxers here? Too late to get involved?

Hey all. The past couple of months I've become very into the boxing scene. I've researched many fights and have read up on quite a few articles in regards to the sport. While many see it as mindlessly punching/getting punched in the head and upper body, I feel like that there is something more sophisticated to it. I've become fascinated with boxing and have recently considered signing up at a local boxing gym and doing some sessions with a trainer.

Reality is, I'm going on 24 years old and feel like I'm getting a little old to start learning how to box as a complete beginner. From a lot of the research I've done, it seems like many people involved began fighting as young as their early-mid teens. I know I'm not going to be the next Canelo or GGG, but fighting on an amateur level would be my ultimate goal if I were to seriously pursue and invest money into something like this.

From a fitness standpoint, the sport just seems like it is fantastic for your health. For those of you who are/have been involved with boxing: did you notice major changes to your body? To my understanding, a boxer's build is a lot more on the lean side compared to a bodybuilder who can afford to bulk up. All the extra muscle put on from body building would slow down one's punches and nimbleness in general I'm assuming. Is this the right concept?

TL;DR: Is it too late to begin learning how to box at 24? For those of you who are involved with the sport: did you notice major changes to your health/body?

 

Let me guess. you was in college but give up. you don't know what to do, saw the fight of Mayweather and now you want to become a boxer. this happened to me 4 years ago when I was 19. but I was watching heavy champs since that's what I would end up going. but I didn't keep doing it because my parents stopped me lol. anyway you are 24 year old. if you want to catch up you will need to put 10x more than the regular boxers out there if you want to become a good fighter in the amateur field. Best luck . and no u are not to late but you will need a whole year training non stop. as long you keep training you will do it. otherwise if you stop training for at least a week then you need to finish the career you was doing in college like me :3.

 

@Frantik

It's definitely never too late to start, if I were you I wouldn't consider this as something serious as you are right, most people who dedicate their lives to it have started at a young age. It has a massive impact on your body and honestly it has a shock-type impact on your body in the beginning. You could easily get into amateur, but the training the first year will be quite difficult.

A daily standard routine of a dedicated boxing athlete usually consists of the following

• Stretching
• 3 Mile run everyday
• 3 rounds of jump rope
• 3 rounds of shadow boxing
• 3 rounds of speed bag
• 4 rounds of heavy bag
• 3 rounds of sparring
• Abdominal training every other day
• Stretching

Rounds last 3 minutes, and rests in-between usually last 15-30 seconds depending on the timer at your boxing gym. This routine I've shown you is something you build up to, not something to start off obviously unless you're in very athletic shape. I've personally done boxing for a few years, let me know if you need anything else. It's a great sport to get into shape with, it gives you great athleticism and great physique aesthetically speaking. You're right, it's definitely not just a brutal contact sport, but more of an art form as you'll learn if you decide to take this path. As stated if you need anything else, let me know I'd love to help!

 

boxers tend to be lean because they want as much power weighing as little as possible .. the night before a weigh in ive starved myself for nearly 2 days to drop a weight and absolutely hammer my opponent

 

I used to do kickboxing for a majority of my life although gave up when i got into gaming. Hoping i could return as well one day.

 

It's definitely not to late to start man! Get you A55 in your local gym asap!

 

It's is surely worth it, but there is almost no chance you will make it to professional because they all usually start at mid-teens as you mentioned, but amateur level is not something that hard to achieve in a year or 2(idk how many amateur competitions are in your country though). Muscle mass isn't really a problem but fighting in a heavy weight class is a lot harder, and you're very more likely to get seriously injured as punches are way more powerful. That's why you rarely see any Knock-outs or serious injuries in lower weight class, so slowing down is not something to really worry about because you will almost always beat a lighter guy with similar experience

 

Watching Hajime no Ippo (Dub) at Gogoanime I am getting more and more into boxing as well. Personally done kickboxing for some time when I was like 16, quit and am now 24 as well. Looking into boxing as well atm.

 

I boxed for my local county from age 8-17 mate and I went back last year and I'm 24 now and trust me anything is possible if you are dedicated I have my first pro fight early 2018 (iv always stayed fit even once I stopped boxing I work as a pt)

 

Anthony Joshua started boxing at the age of 18 and he is now the Heavyweight World Champion. He's genetically gifted, of course, but nonetheless, he started late, worked hard at it and now is reeking the benefits.

 

In all honesty you can probably start boxing on an amateur level within a year. I started training Muay Thai, Boxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu when I was 23. I am currently 26 and plan on going Pro in 2018. It never hurts to learn how to properly defend yourself. I train with guys who are well into there 40s and just do it for the exercise. This one kid I train with started fighting at 25-26 and already has 15 amateur fights and is on the brink of going pro.

There will be major changes that happen to you. For one, you are right that you will lean out, fighters typically are on the leaner side. Muscles aren't the greatest thing to have for fighting, even though there is a happy medium. You are also correct about muscles slowing you down, it can reduce your speed. All I really do know is that being built requires more oxygen. I started off fighting weighing close to 250lbs/113kg and now I walk around about 200lbs/90kg and fight at 190lbs/86kg

Here is some things I can tell you about fighting that you probably don't know.

1. You will become a lot more come and relax person. You aren't as aggressive because you don't really have to prove anything. There are guys who are just asses but they were like that to begin with

2. You gain more confidence. You know that if anything happens you are able to protect yourself

3. Cardio and diet are key. It doesn't matter what you do, you have to run and eat right or you wont see the amount of changes that you are hoping for. You can be the toughest man in the world, but with no gas tank, you are going to get beat up.

4. After your first amateur fight it becomes addicting. Well that is kind of true, if you win it becomes all you think about training and improving and fighting. If you lose, and I have seen this happen to a lot of my training partners. Either A) It makes you hungry to what to get better, or B) You crumble and never want to fight again. Don't ever ever ever end up like B. Learn from victory and defeat and grow as a fighter.

5. No matter how prepared you think you are; you will never be prepared for you first fight. It is a 100% adrenaline dump, everything is tunnel vision, and your opponent doesn't have a face. Also you won't even remember the fight really.

Right now this is all I can think of saying. Ask me question and I will answer them all to the best of my ability