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Why did you start boxing?

Discussion in 'Boxing Training' started by RJJFan, Dec 9, 2011.

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RJJFan Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

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For those of you who took up boxing, why did you do so?

Family problems? Bullies? Weight problems? Peer pressure? Self esteem issues? Money problems?

RJJFan, Dec 9, 2011

#1

Leon The Artful Dodger Full Member

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RJJFan said: ↑

For those of you who took up boxing, why did you do so?

Family problems? Bullies? Weight problems? Peer pressure? Self esteem issues? Money problems?
Click to expand...

boredom

Leon, Dec 9, 2011

#2

polowear28 Active Member Full Member

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How about because it's freaking fun?!

If you enjoy hard work outs and enjoy the challenge of overcoming oponents physically, it's definitely a great sport!

polowear28, Dec 9, 2011

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bballchump11 2011 Poster of the Year Full Member

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It's fun as hell, good workout, and it's always good to know how to fight.
I'm a small guy, relatively strong for my weight but that's not always going to help once I meet somebody of a certain size. Plus I talk a lot of trash

bballchump11, Dec 9, 2011

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Bogotazo Amateur Full Member

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It coincided with my first times getting into the sport as a fan. I might as well just give that account.

Bogotazo said: ↑

When I was a little kid, Nickelodeon had a Black History Month special on Muhammad Ali, with the background song "Black Superman" advertising it. I was about 8, and I eventually did a report I had to do on an athletic role model on Muhammad Ali. I remember seeing the footage and listening to the educated bravado, all the while thinking to my young chubby self, "This man was special. This man was important." Seeing him glide around the ring further convinced me that the sport was an art. Of course, I was only 8. I wanted to be a policeman before that, then an inventor, and when my aunt asked what I wanted to be, I randomly said "a boxer", half-joking, then changed my mind at the fleeting thought of all the punishment I'd take. Again, I was only 8, and this was as far as it had gotten until about ten years later (besides being repulsed at the news of Mike Tyson's ear-biting stunt.)

After following numerous action movies and cartoons like Batman:TAS on TV, boxing to me was a dignified sport in theory and in its history, but one I never watched; I considered Eastern martial arts superior forms of fighting as a little kid naively influenced by entertainment.

A decade later, my close Filipino friend had a sudden interest in boxing after we spent a summer apart, and I was intrigued; he was trying to understand the sport in order to relate to Filipino Phenom Manny Pacquiao, whom I only knew by name and likely from commercials. Watching fights like Pacquia-Morales and Pacquiao-Barrera, I was impressed by the little guy's speed, but something seemed off to me; I said, "this is the best fighter in the world? He's so wild, how does he not pay for his recklessness?" I now realize what Pacquiao does in the ring is supremely complicated, but I was unsatisfied with this hunch I had in the back of my head

I also met his friend, an amateur boxer. He taught me a few basic fundamentals, and my eyes were opened to how complex and technical fighting really was, and how in the dark the average person (and even many trained combatants) really was.

Then, I was shown Pacquiao-Marquez 1. I was informed that someone had seemingly tamed Pacquiao with superior skill, and upon watching Juan Manuel get up three times and time Pacquiao with his elite fundamental skill-set and ballsy counter-punching style, I thought to myself: "That's a fighter. That's what the game is supposed to be about." From then on, I was sucked into the world of boxing, with all of its drama and mechanical nuances. I started to box myself, delved into what history I could watching hours and hours of footage (especially to get a sense of public opinion before/during certain past events and differentiate myself from revisionist boxrec newbs) and the rest is history.

The most poignant moment after that to further solidify my interest that I can remember is the moment at the end of the 3rd episode of Mayweather-Marquez 24/7 when the musical chorus climaxes and the fountains of the MGM Grand spout up against the backdrop of Las Vegas Lights and the flames of a Mexican street performer sizzle across the screen , after the Narrator vividly paints the picture: "Next Saturday Night, Mexican Fortitude confronts American Swagger, in a clash of two vastly different men from two vastly different places." I remember feeling in that moment, "Wow. Boxing is awesome." There was absolutely no turning back then.

Sorry for the long-winded post, OP; there was no single event I could point to in order to answer your question, and I found myself caught up in recounting the beginnings of my obsessive admiration for the sport. But there you have it.
Click to expand...

Bogotazo, Dec 9, 2011

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madmanc3210 Guest

Someone stole my bike

madmanc3210, Dec 9, 2011

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RJJFan Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

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It wasn't fun for me at first. It was an outlet, and I got to work out my issues by sparring and fighting. I got peace through the action of trying to beat someone or getting beat, which happened often.

RJJFan, Dec 9, 2011

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caneman 100% AllNatural Xylocaine Full Member

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Why such negative reasons as suggestions? Why not "because it's fun to punch someone without seriously hurting them"?

caneman, Dec 9, 2011

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kommieforniaglo Boxing Junkie Full Member

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Chubby kid with Asthma, had to get in shape and what better way.

kommieforniaglo, Dec 9, 2011

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thawk888 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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Cool @ Bogotazo

thawk888, Dec 9, 2011

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Dembek And the new... Full Member

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To have a life. It worked out great for me!

Dembek, Dec 9, 2011

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finalfight Boxing Addict Full Member

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caneman said: ↑

Why such negative reasons as suggestions? Why not "because it's fun to punch someone without seriously hurting them"?
Click to expand...

What the hell is so positive about that?

finalfight, Dec 9, 2011

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Andy McNab Boxing Addict banned

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I was bored and I knew two lads from school who boxed. It was a quid a session 3 times a week so I thought I'd give it a go. I was a casual fan back then at 16 having watched the likes of Eubank/Benn and Bruno/Tyson fights. Did not end well as I ended up having 3 unlicenced fights, one round the back of a pub.

Andy McNab, Dec 9, 2011

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rodney Boxing Junkie Full Member

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polowear28 said: ↑

How about because it's freaking fun?!

If you enjoy hard work outs and enjoy the challenge of overcoming oponents physically, it's definitely a great sport!
Click to expand...

That's the right answer. You enjoy it and you love to fight, as well as the work out and the challenge of being the best you can possibly be.

rodney, Dec 9, 2011

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JMP Champion Full Member

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I used to have a heavy bag in my house and I tried my best to practice my fundamentals on it; stance, jab, right hand, left hook. And I'd shadowbox as well to work on my footwork and getting my body into punches.

I had aggression and anxiety problems when I was younger as well, and needed an outlet and a confidence booster, so I decided to go a boxing gym when I was 14. After the first day, I was hooked. I got my nose bloodied sparring for the first time later in the week and I got hit a ton that day, but I loved it. Being able to pick up on openings and flaws in your opponent while sparring, seeing your improvements, getting into great physical shape, and being able to hit somebody hard was awesome.

JMP, Dec 9, 2011

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