one of my sparring partners started out 0-4 as an amateur but since than he has had good results... it can be done... is it easy? No not at all but it can be done
You're looking at this bass-ackwards -- you can't get where you want unless you sacrifice. You won't know how far you can take this if you don't treat it with the attitude that you're going to do whatever it takes and make every sacrifice necessary. Life is a series of choices. Make the best possible choices you can make based on the information you have. You really don't have anything to lose here if you give it your all every single day and take a shot at this thing -- worst-case scenario is you spend a lot of time and energy and it doesn't pan out ... in which case you've still learned a lot of lessons about discipline and work ethic and such that will serve you later in other parts of your life. And, presumably, you enjoy this ... if not, there's no reason to do it. Sounds to me that you're still learning how to win -- that's something that can come with time. You can compete and be in close fights and not be able to pull them out because maybe you're not quite doing enough to edge the close rounds. And sometimes, amateur or pro, you just got jobbed on a decision ... the judges liked the other guy's style or he got the benefit of the doubt because he's in his hometown or his gym has better cred with the judges because of past performance of guy from that gym or whatever. Ultimately, my advice to you is this: concentrate on the process, the things you can control, and not on the outcome, which you don't (unless you can knock your opponent out). If you're doing everything you're supposed to do and giving it everything you have, that's the process. Each day in the gym ... heck, each round in the gym ... that's what you need to focus on. What did you do today that can help you perform to your best ability in the next fight? What could you have done that you didn't do? What can you do tomorrow to get just a little bit better? If you focus on those things -- on the process of becoming the best fighter you can be -- then if you really do have the talent the outcomes will follow.
Don't listen to that first c**t who told you your 'record is terrible' and to 'put your energy into something else'. Records mean nothing in amateur boxing just as an 0 in the pros means little, just like pro boxing there are protected fighters & some matchmakers/coaches that pick 'easier' fights for their lads. Like others have said it's all about experience, dealing with different situations in the ring & the mental aspect of it all. The amount of fights you've actually had is not always representative of your experience or skill level, I myself have been boxing now for around 4 almost 5 years and have a 2-3 record, due to being an adult at 22, 18 when I began, sometimes there are other variables to take into consideration i.e. work, family, girlfriends etc sometimes you may have other things that take priority over boxing, sometimes I couldn't get weekends off for bouts, or a lack of sparring or coach not matching me, injuries etc. What I do know is this whole time you should be training, getting experience and getting better. I'm now at 75kg, I recently sparred with a lad who was 78/79kg with an 9-0 record, quickly found out he must've had it easy where as i've had some tough match ups. His skills did not match his 'winning' record along with his weight advantage, I found it easy work, we did 4x2s, at my gym however we train all 3s w/30 sec. rest & only take the rest during sparring, by the time it was 3rd/4th I was just warming up, that day I realised records mean nothing & it bolstered my confidence & self-belief a lot. Don't worry about your record, ignore what other people say & don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something mate.
Definitely sounds like you've been matched tough. I would honestly advice you to take things one day at a time. Focus on enjoying boxing and getting better. Don't let the high expectations build any pressure that might backfire. Box for yourself and believe in yourself. From what I've read it doesn't seem like people are just telling you you're good for kicks, I think it's genuine. Accept the praise and aim to be the best you can. As long as you enjoy it you'll be fine. I If you're looking to make a career out of it, definitely try to get more involved on when and who you fight. Don't just fight to meet an obligation, fight when you feel ready and against an opponent you feel is appropriate for the specific time. Good luck.
