Starting out at 31
 

Started boxing at 31 (7 months ago) after playing football (both 11 and 5 a side) all my life, and wanting a new challenge. I've always loved boxing and respect the sacrifice fighters make. Started in July last year, and its like a bug. I've stopped drinking (have a few every couple of months) and am trying to eat,live, exercise right out of the gym. I'll be in the gym 4-5 hours a week. My coach reckons i should go for an amatuer fight within the next 6-8 months. Are there any other late starters on the forum?? Most of my mates/workmates say i'm too old but not really bothered what they say. Close friends and family, and people at the gym say go for it, so thats what im plannin to do! :good

Re: Starting out at 31
 

Late starter here. Started at 35 and now 37.
I still manage to have decent speed and cardio. I'm pretty decent - not amazing by any means (3-3 record). But i'm at least on par with amateurs in their teens/twenties.

I definitely wouldn't say you're too old to enjoy training and competing.
Heck if you keep it up, you would have had 4 years of training by the time I started.
So I think there's plenty of opportunity to get better and reach your potential.

I do admit, turning 38 this year does make my window of opportunity extremely short.
But 31? There's still plenty of time.

Re: Starting out at 31
 

Still going strong in my 40's.

Geriatric power!

Re: Starting out at 31
 

Laugh in their faces when you win your fight. Age is just a number.

Re: Starting out at 31
 

:good

Re: Starting out at 31
 

Nice1 are u in the u.s.a? Not familiar with the age regulations over there? Ive been told u.k is 34 am, and then its gota be white collar stuff after that. Dont fancy goin straight into that, want to have a few contests first.

Re: Starting out at 31
 

I`m 30 and started 4 months ago with boxing. never feel better in life. other guys in my gym dont believe me im 30. i gave 100% every training because i thought i can fight. after i talk with my coach he told me here in germany, you cant fight if you reached the 30 years mark.

if you want to fight, do it!

Re: Starting out at 31
 

Bet you were gutted.

Re: Starting out at 31
 

Sergio Martinez started at an extremely old age for boxing. Age 20. And his situation is somewhat of an anomaly. Starting at age 31...that's pretty damn late if you're expecting to be a world champ. Getting in shape, doing some good sparring, maybe even a few amateur fights...definitely possible with the right commitment.

Re: Starting out at 31
 

Yep, a few AM fights is what I was aiming for.

Re: Starting out at 31
 

Well, that's definitely possible. But if you are literally just starting out, I mean no experience at all at the age of 31... you will have to be a fast learner because those guys in amatures know what they're doing. There is chances that you will be up against other novices, though.

Re: Starting out at 31
 

In your first fights you'll probably fight other novices, I wouldn't worry about getting over matched.

Re: Starting out at 31
 

That's good to know. :good

Re: Starting out at 31
 

I know few old guys at my gym that are little bit older than you and started quite late as well and they do fine some even competed in amateurs.

Just train hard and have fun boxing.

Re: Starting out at 31
 

I'm actually in Canada. We also have Masters division for (35 + older I believe). And we also have a promotion that does white collars. Only the problem is boxing is not as popular in Canada, so if I want fights, I must compete in the regular amateurs. This is because there's very few (if any) local fighters in my age group and weight class (LW or LWW). So I think we have to be somewhat lenient in order to make matches. Most of my opponents have been in their early 20s. My next one is only 18.