Boxing with anxiety

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.

 

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

 

Is this David Price?

 

Breathing techniques
And Steve Collins got hypnotized

 

why do pakistanis like you and Ty577 have this obsession with mentioning David Price
David Price shoudn't still be in boxing he doesn't have the heart, chin or stamina for it. however have you seen the heavyweight Kash Ali, Price would KO him in 1 minute he's that terrible

 

I can't help you mate..But big up for climbing through them ropes and for asking for help.Good luck.

 

It really is a mind matter I think mate. I have heard of people boxing who just never seem to settle in real contests. I can only suggest finding an acceptance where you love what you do being in there, work on it in training and take it with you into fights. 50 fights and still going though, good for you.

 

Have a jamaican pattie a smoke a joint.

 

No worries mate. Definitely worth another go (with a different therapist). All the best.

 

I agree with the comments about CBT. Working through your anxieties outside the ring by visualising how you feel before a fight, understanding what is happening on a physiology level and how the chemistry of your body is causing the feelings you have will help you cope better with the rush that anxiety causes you.

Reading some sports psychology articles and books may give you some practical exercises to try and reduce your anxieties.
http://www.ncaa.org/sport-science-institute/mind-body-and-sport-anxiety-disorders

You could even contact a local university and see if you could get some input from their students.

 

I have used 5 htp supplements before with good results. Only a temporary fix though.

 

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.

 

It's something I never mastered and as a result didn't really go anywhere .

My coach used to call me gym champion. I could get the better of virtually everyone in the gym in sparring. Even some heavyweights but come to fight night never seem to pull it off.

Think I found it hard to find the right balance. I used to psyche myself up go in wailing like a pub fight sometimes I would do okay but inevitably would gas.

Then i used to go in super relaxed but just go into survival mode and barely throw.

I meditate everyday now and this has helped me no end with various other parts of my life. Not sure how it would transfer to boxing but I would definitely try to meditate before as the whole purpose of it is to unload any anxiety and it certainly does that . Takes a long time to get proficient though. Just start of small. Maybe like 5 mins with headphones in before sparring..

Good luck boxing is mostly mental so if you crack it should make big moves forward.