how long did you train before starting sparring?

i was at a gym one time that i just went along to to stay fit on holiday. Instead of sparring to start of they just did moving round the ring shadow boxing an opponent where you would stay afew feet away and shadow box each other

 

That's smart, I don't understand why people are in such a rush to put their fighters in sparring. You should work on your footwork, bag, and making sure you're throwing your punches right first. and then send them in the ring with someone who has some experience and see how they do.

My first sparring match was basicaly a fight, even though I made some mistakes. I did enough to drop the guy (Was a lucky jab) and hold my own against someone 60 pounds bigger than me

 

Well, experience shows, that from a certain point on, it doesn't make a real difference. Doesn't matter if a guy "practised" on the bag/mittens for a week or 3 months, the first time in the ring he'll look like a deer in the headlights, 'cause he realizes that bags don't have arms, feet or the will to hurt him. I've seen so many boxers look terrific right up until they face the possibility of pain.

Also, I think Sparring is the single most important and irreplaceable part of boxing. It's not about putting a newbie in there with a slugger. It's about putting him in there with a teacher. Letting the kids shadowbox each other is nice to shake things up every once in a while, but everybody is a little Ali when they know there's no risk.
Most guys show up like twice a week for 90-120 minutes of training. I'm trying to maximize the actual boxing they get out of this precious little amount of time.

In no other sport do people put up with months of theory before actually doing it. You know, you learn to dribble the ball while playing and not alone in a room just bouncing it for a couple of weeks.