Can U tell anything 'bout a green kid 1st time he spars?

I tried boxing when I 15 years old, but never got beyond a few sparring sessions. I sparred a professional fighter in my first session. He went very easy on me, essentially shadowboxing as he dodged my punches. Afterwards, he told me that when I came back to the gym the next day, the coaches would put me in with other beginners. The professional explained to me that, the next day, I would learn what it feels like to get punched, and I would know if I had the makings of "any kind of fighter."

The next day, I sparred three, two minute rounds with another beginner, who happened to be in great shape. I got the crap beaten out of me, but I never went down. I thought he could hit really hard. I remember every time he slammed me, I experienced a sensation in my brain -- physically and psychologically -- that I'd never felt before. The sensation felt unhealthy and unnatural. Surreal.

Basically, my head felt like it was being slammed by a heavy, weighted force...I could feel the percussive wave of pain throughout my skull. I also remember that visually, I felt as if someone were clicking a bright, flashcube camera in front of my eyes. It was a bad experience.

That night, I questioned whether I wanted to continue boxing. I thought about it, and decided to try a new ring strategy the next day. Essentially, I fought like John Ruiz: I realized that if I crowded this other dude incessantly, he would not be able to get his shots off.

My third and final sparring session, against the same guy, went beautifully for one round. Everyone was surprised that I bulled the kid against the ropes the way I did. In that first round, I didn't get hit much. I felt my own gloves hitting something, but I couldn't tell if I was hitting his head, body, or arms. Problem is, I expended so much energy that I had no strength for round two, and the kid beat the crap out of me again. Still, I didn't go down.

At the end of round two, the coach chuckled and said, "I think that's all for tonight." I lost my enthusiasm for inside-the-ring experiences then, but felt proud that my Ruiz strategy was partially successful, at least.

So, my answer to the original question in this thread is, first time sparring shows if a person has the physical and psychological wherewithal to deal with being punched. If yes, they can proceed to test other basic abilities. If not, they find another way to be involved in the sport.

 

I would say if the kid fights on once hit a few times and comes back the next day he can make some thing of himself.

If the kid wants to fight on after getting a bloody nose.

When I started boxing I would look great hitting the pads, skipping etc..., but once in the ring, my tecnique went out the window, I would throw a few good jabs, then not know what to do when they started to crowd me etc... , start throwing arm punches in an exchange etc... some kids just have it.

 

There are plenty of people like you in my gym. Look great at everything except when they get in the ring. They see me next to them in the mirror see me looking like crap, see me look like crap on the heavybag, and see me look like crap on the mits, but when we get in there, I still look crap, but I'm tuning them up.

 

I did backyard sparring before and only got hit a few times but then again, that's before I went to the gym and I sparred against friends that weren't training in boxing that time either. Both of you are right there's nothing like being in the ring and having that experience.

 

Yeah you have to have a lot of heart to box. An ass whooping is inevitable. And if you can't take one, then boxing isn't going to work out for you.

But if you can take one, pick yourself up and get back in there. That should tell you something about yourself.

 

Taylor vs JCC

 

Thanks G.

I might think about joining a gym, just to stay in shape and maybe to teach some youngsters etc... I remember my old coach fondly, good old bloke that always had time for the youngsters and it is always good to give back.

 

Sometimes. Sometimes a kid will show you how well he can take a shot or if he has natural power, etc. Sometimes what you see at first means nothing though. If he comes back to the gym after getting his ass handed to him that's a good sign.

 

former gym rat you could say

 

The number one thing like many have mentioned is how the person responds to getting hit. Also there is the issue of being able to think at that fast pace. I'm sure everyone who's sparred remembers that first time when the experienced kid hits you with a combo and you see bright spots but it doesnt actually hurt.