Developing a Young Fighter From Scratch

first i start with stance and guard and how to move forward, back, left and right, then i start with straight punches, when they get this right every time i will then move onto moving in and out with straight punches. this could go on for weeks, repeating the drills over and over.
you must build a boxer step by step, drilling moves which suit his style until until they become natural reflexes

 

Ok.... as promised....

Firstly, if a kid walked into my gym at that age and said he wanted to learn to box, I'd ask him to just watch what is going on, have a look at the other lads going about their work, on the pads, the bags and also sparring.

Afterwards I'd ask him what he thought, and if he'd like to come back the next night and have a go for himself.

If he comes back, I'd just tell him to do what he thinks is best, and generally just sit back and watch what he does, make a few mental notes about where he's going wrong, what he does well (if anything) and work out a way how to make him improve.

Over the next few weeks I'd go about it steadily, tightening up his stance and guard - which are bound to be bad, and then looking at footwork and punch technique.

Once he's begun to improve I'd consider giving him a bit of sparring, probably against someone smaller who isn't as likely to discourage him from coming again.

After a short while it'll be time to start getting him some contests, ideally there'd be a wide spread of styles, shapes and sizes over the first few fights. One thing I'd emphasise is that the result doesn't matter, and that enjoyment and learning are the most important things.

Ideally of course, I wouldn't bother taking a kid down to an amateur gym, because it's the school of bad habits, I'd have him at a pro gym just working on things and sparring - for me the Scott Quigg route will be more and more successful, start with Muay Thai until you're about 16, then look for a pro gym to see if you can spar.

Sack the amateurs off altogether if possible.

Anyway, if the lad is doing well and improving, becoming stronger etc, as soon as possible I'd look to turn professional.

From then, it'd be fights every month for two years, against the full mix of opponents, orthodox, southpaw, tall, short, sluggers, runners, spoilers, quality isn't so important, it's just getting the experience of fighting different styles, something our current fighters lack unfortunately.

 

A Muay Thai background certainly encourages a well-organised and thoughtful approach.

 

I think so too.

A mate of mine trains at the local Muay Thai gym, never fights or anything just does it to keep fit and helps train the kids, he punches far harder than another lad I know who trains at the local ABC, who is well known as ''One Punch Will''.

The only flaw they consistently have is squaring up too much, which surprises me as you are more open to push kicks and also body kicks.

 

They can square up, but then they're not too defensively minded.

Probably why Samart Payakaroon had so much success being such a slippery operator.

 

Never heard of him :-(

The main thing that annoys me about Thai boxing is that crappy music that they play during the fight.

 

I won't comment on the music.

Search him up: one of the most gifted fighters ever, 3-weight Muay Thai champ and one-time Super Bantamweight champ...oh, FFS just check out the Encyclopedia article I did on him

No exaggeration: Sweet Pea-esque :deal

 

Sorry we robbed you Mand' :-(

 

Thanks, I'll have a look.

Most of the fighters I've seen could definitely teach boxers a thing or two about short punching. Some of them are a bit gammy throwing ''typical'' straight rights, but their short ones are very powerful generally.

I'd imagine that's where the likes of Pacquiao and Donaire picked up their skills.

 

My mate is sending me a vid of his 10 year old nephew in the Thai boxing gym..... murderous little ****er.

I'll upload it later.

In his last fight he won the British title for his agegroup and has stopped several bigger and older kids. The bloke who runs the gym won't let his son (who is a year younger) spar with him.

''He's thick enough already, three rounds with Jordan would **** him up good and proper''

 

Luke: Sahaprom threw the right hand brilliantly, used it like a jab and once he'd found his range was hard to knock off his stride. For instance, his 4th fight with Nishioka.

However, Muangsurin didn't adapt his game at all Never seen such a raw Muay Thai convert. E.g his fight with Guts Ishimatsu.