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Boxing with anxiety

Discussion in 'British Boxing Forum' started by D@ZMX, Nov 14, 2017.

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Twentyman You dog nonce! banned Full Member

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Saintpat said: ↑

Worked with a pro many years ago who showed up at our gym with a 1-4 record (all four losses by KO, three in the first round — he had relocated form far away, so we didn’t know him previously), hadn’t boxed in 7 years, was now 30 and wanted to give it another go.

Seeing him in the gym, his record made no sense. Not that he was a world champ, but he had skills and way above-average speed, and showed no signs of a weak chin. He got the better of most every sparring session.

We made a couple of calls and tracked down someone from the gym where he fought before, he spoke highly of the fighter’s work ethic and liked him as a person. We asked, “So what’s up with his record?” The answer: “You’ll see.”

His first fight with us, we had him in with a journeyman known for going rounds but rarely winning ... mostly he wanted to go the distance without risk so he could fight again the next week or month, one of those types. And our guy went out and barely threw a punch for five rounds (scheduled for six). Nor did the other guy. It was up for grabs going into the final round. I was in the corner and noticed his wife right there at ringside with their baby, which was maybe a year old at most. I yelled to her, “Hold up that baby!” She did and I turned his head and said, “THAT is what you’re fighting for. Go out and win this round or you are letting that baby down and this will be the end of your career.” He suddenly looked like a tiger, same guy we had seen in the gym only now with a killer’s attitude. Battered the guy pillar to post, got a knockdown, won the round 10-8 on all cards and sneaked out a win.

But we battled this off and on for the next few years. Sometimes he would go out and look great, but often he would simply freeze up and not throw anything or against better “step up in class” opponents he would go down like he was shot when hit by a good but not devastating punch.

It was all mental.

I’m proud to say he ended 18-11-2, so he went 17-7-2 with us. He never beat anyone of consequence but gradually overcame his anxiety so he was able to go good rounds with a few contenders and rising prospects, won a regional belt, beat a few decent opponents (no world-beaters, but guys who had shown well against contenders and were solid regional fighters).

I think a key to it was that we talked about it. We discussed what he was going through — it came to a head one night when he wanted to pull out of a fight, said he was feeling sick when hours earlier he had been fine ... the guy had intimidated him at the weigh-in. I told him it was in his mind, he wasn’t sick, he was suffering from anxiety. It came down to this: I told him if he went out and fought like he was capable that he’d wipe the ring up with the guy, and asked him to trust me — I told him I’d get him through it come hell or high water. He didn’t have good body language going to the ring but he did it, and I told him to attack the guy from the first bell with everything he had, sit down and throw four- and five-punch combinations no matter what. He busted the guy’s nose wide open and dropped him, and the opponent went into survival mode the rest of the way. After that, I asked him if he stil felt sick; of course he didn’t. We were now able to talk frankly about what he was going through and he had complete trust in me. From that point on, I think the fights he lost he did so on merit, giving a good account of himself and just the other guy being better rather than giving in to his inner turmoil.

You seem to already acknowledge the problem, and that it’s mental. That’s a long way toward winning the battle. I’d suggest you talk to your coach about it and be frank about what’s going on with your body and in your head.

Another thought: since this seems to manifest itself as fatigue, try working yourself to the point of being very, very tired in the gym ... and THEN step into the ring to spar. Try to learn to manage fatigue so that you can see you can fight through it ... you might find in the fight that if you keep pushing when you start getting tired that you’re able to get to a second wind and perform.

Also, watch some George Foreman fights. See young George gas after a few rounds because he’s tense and loading up on every punch. Then watch “old” George and see how relaxed he is ... most relaxed fighter I’ve ever seen. Be aware of your muscle tension and see if it isn’t greatly increased in real fights vs. when you’re sparring. If you can control muscle tension, you will probably avoid the anxiety fatigue.

There’s a reason they say boxing is 90 percent mental ... this is it. Not just outthinking the other guy as far as punch selection and strategy, but winning the inner battle.

Good luck. As someone else posted, much respect to you for stepping between those ropes and for reaching out for help. You should be proud. Most people when faced with adversity find a way to quit. You’re trying to tackle it head-on. That’s a life lesson that will serve you long after your days in the ring. You’ll beat this thing. Just treat it was a problem to be solved and focus on finding the solution.
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Top post!

Twentyman, Nov 15, 2017

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delboy82 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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Twentyman said: ↑

You’ve probably already done this mate, but several sessions of CBT might be useful. The relaxation techniques they teach you may be beneficial but obviously different approaches work for different people. Good on you for getting in the ring btw.
Click to expand...

Also look into CBD oils bud. I recommend them my mrs uses them and she has stress and anxiety issues with work. Its hemp oil from but it contains none of the THC (the chemcial that makes you stoned) its completely legal and has no psychoactive effects. You can get tinctures that you just place under your tongue twice a day. I would highly suggest you look int this. Can also help with cardio, and is a fantastic anti inflammatory so very good for recovering from sessions.

delboy82, Nov 15, 2017

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MCFC_EW Active Member Full Member

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Theres no one fix for everyone, as each person is different. I'd give meditation a go, aswell as working on visualisation etc.

Good luck and fair play to you for tackling it rather than bottling it up

MCFC_EW, Nov 15, 2017

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jarama Active Member Full Member

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kasabian19 said: ↑

Propranolol. That'll relax you. Don't overdo though otherwise your reflexes and reactions will be affected. 40mg is spot on.
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This is spot on.

jarama, Nov 15, 2017

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im sparticus There Ye Go. Full Member

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MCFC_EW said: ↑

Theres no one fix for everyone, as each person is different. I'd give meditation a go, aswell as working on visualisation etc.

Good luck and fair play to you for tackling it rather than bottling it up
Click to expand...

I know a few boxers that have used self hypnosis, ive seen some fantastic results by this method. And for some it didnt work. It was all down to the intentions and beliefs of the user. That was my observations.

im sparticus, Nov 15, 2017

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Sphillips Active Member Full Member

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Do not take propanolol.

It's a beta blocker and 40mg would effect your speed,stamina,strength,ability to train hard,everything basically.

I was on it the first time I had a medical and was heavily advised to get off it if I wanted to see better results.

Sphillips, Nov 15, 2017

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Twentyman You dog nonce! banned Full Member

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In the long run, talking therapies produce similar results to medication but obviously with long lasting effects. You’re essentially changing the wiring in the brain (plasticity) over time with talking therapies.

Medication like beta blockers provide temporary relief by maintaining a higher level of positive neurotransmitters (like seratonin) in the brain.

So the former aims to ease the cause whilst the latter aims to ease a symptom of the cause.

Hope I don’t sound like a bell**d (although I often do, ha!). I’m a hypocrite. I pop diazepam like skittles if i’m getting on a plane.

Twentyman, Nov 15, 2017

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Sphillips Active Member Full Member

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Beta blockers literally slow your heart rate.

The last thing you need in a frenetic 3 round boxing match.

Sphillips, Nov 15, 2017

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cippi Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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Its hard to over come...be all naturaul taking supplements an all that can ter mood swings an scare you a little bit. You must work hard train hard.
Eat right if u kno u doin everything u will feel u belong. I get anxiety wen i no i do not be long because i kno i could of worked more train harder n went the extra mile

cippi, Nov 16, 2017

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Sphillips Active Member Full Member

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If you have had 50 am fights then you have done remarkably well.
I think it may come naturally.

Sphillips, Nov 16, 2017

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Grooveongreg Well-Known Member Full Member

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Also I think it would be pretty abnormal if you didnt get anxious before getting punched in the head . Some nerves will be good. But channellng it into something productive is the goal .

My friend and i started boxing about 20 years ago and i always felt i hit harder was more athletic, aggressive and so on. But he always used to outfox me. And I put it down to him being a professional footballer. He is used to playing in front of massive crowd and using tactics and drills. This seems to out gun my natural ability .

So maybe work on some tactical or replication of live events .

Interclub fights are a good bridge to real fights

Grooveongreg, Nov 16, 2017

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Farmboxer VIP Member Full Member

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I would always suck wind in the first round, then after that I would get a second wind and could go all night, I was always told it was caused by adrenaline............

Farmboxer, Nov 16, 2017

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Britbox77 New Member Full Member

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Depending on what the root cause of the anxiety is EMDR could be worth considering.

Proven to work and doesn’t necessitate medication.

Worth looking up and reading about and if you think it may be for you then taking further.

Anxiety issues can be totally debilitating and you have my respect and best wishes.

Britbox77, Nov 16, 2017

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Grooveongreg Well-Known Member Full Member

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Farmboxer said: ↑

I would always suck wind in the first round, then after that I would get a second wind and could go all night, I was always told it was caused by adrenaline............
Click to expand...

You must have had some good conditioning i would rarely recover enough after blowing my load

Grooveongreg, Nov 16, 2017

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D@ZMX Member Full Member

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Saintpat said: ↑

Worked with a pro many years ago who showed up at our gym with a 1-4 record (all four losses by KO, three in the first round — he had relocated form far away, so we didn’t know him previously), hadn’t boxed in 7 years, was now 30 and wanted to give it another go.

Seeing him in the gym, his record made no sense. Not that he was a world champ, but he had skills and way above-average speed, and showed no signs of a weak chin. He got the better of most every sparring session.

We made a couple of calls and tracked down someone from the gym where he fought before, he spoke highly of the fighter’s work ethic and liked him as a person. We asked, “So what’s up with his record?” The answer: “You’ll see.”

His first fight with us, we had him in with a journeyman known for going rounds but rarely winning ... mostly he wanted to go the distance without risk so he could fight again the next week or month, one of those types. And our guy went out and barely threw a punch for five rounds (scheduled for six). Nor did the other guy. It was up for grabs going into the final round. I was in the corner and noticed his wife right there at ringside with their baby, which was maybe a year old at most. I yelled to her, “Hold up that baby!” She did and I turned his head and said, “THAT is what you’re fighting for. Go out and win this round or you are letting that baby down and this will be the end of your career.” He suddenly looked like a tiger, same guy we had seen in the gym only now with a killer’s attitude. Battered the guy pillar to post, got a knockdown, won the round 10-8 on all cards and sneaked out a win.

But we battled this off and on for the next few years. Sometimes he would go out and look great, but often he would simply freeze up and not throw anything or against better “step up in class” opponents he would go down like he was shot when hit by a good but not devastating punch.

It was all mental.

I’m proud to say he ended 18-11-2, so he went 17-7-2 with us. He never beat anyone of consequence but gradually overcame his anxiety so he was able to go good rounds with a few contenders and rising prospects, won a regional belt, beat a few decent opponents (no world-beaters, but guys who had shown well against contenders and were solid regional fighters).

I think a key to it was that we talked about it. We discussed what he was going through — it came to a head one night when he wanted to pull out of a fight, said he was feeling sick when hours earlier he had been fine ... the guy had intimidated him at the weigh-in. I told him it was in his mind, he wasn’t sick, he was suffering from anxiety. It came down to this: I told him if he went out and fought like he was capable that he’d wipe the ring up with the guy, and asked him to trust me — I told him I’d get him through it come hell or high water. He didn’t have good body language going to the ring but he did it, and I told him to attack the guy from the first bell with everything he had, sit down and throw four- and five-punch combinations no matter what. He busted the guy’s nose wide open and dropped him, and the opponent went into survival mode the rest of the way. After that, I asked him if he stil felt sick; of course he didn’t. We were now able to talk frankly about what he was going through and he had complete trust in me. From that point on, I think the fights he lost he did so on merit, giving a good account of himself and just the other guy being better rather than giving in to his inner turmoil.

You seem to already acknowledge the problem, and that it’s mental. That’s a long way toward winning the battle. I’d suggest you talk to your coach about it and be frank about what’s going on with your body and in your head.

Another thought: since this seems to manifest itself as fatigue, try working yourself to the point of being very, very tired in the gym ... and THEN step into the ring to spar. Try to learn to manage fatigue so that you can see you can fight through it ... you might find in the fight that if you keep pushing when you start getting tired that you’re able to get to a second wind and perform.

Also, watch some George Foreman fights. See young George gas after a few rounds because he’s tense and loading up on every punch. Then watch “old” George and see how relaxed he is ... most relaxed fighter I’ve ever seen. Be aware of your muscle tension and see if it isn’t greatly increased in real fights vs. when you’re sparring. If you can control muscle tension, you will probably avoid the anxiety fatigue.

There’s a reason they say boxing is 90 percent mental ... this is it. Not just outthinking the other guy as far as punch selection and strategy, but winning the inner battle.

Good luck. As someone else posted, much respect to you for stepping between those ropes and for reaching out for help. You should be proud. Most people when faced with adversity find a way to quit. You’re trying to tackle it head-on. That’s a life lesson that will serve you long after your days in the ring. You’ll beat this thing. Just treat it was a problem to be solved and focus on finding the solution.
Click to expand...

amazing story respect for you sharing that to us mate it all sounds so similar how one performance can be the best me and another one can be no work rate where i have no energy to even throw! now i dont get intimidated and have never pulled from a fight but i understand how things can constantly play on the mind

D@ZMX, Nov 17, 2017

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