Mountain biking and training

I'd say yes. I bike a lot and haven't lost any boxing stamina due to not running (knee problem). Both are not optimal for boxing stamina anyway so I doubt it matters much.

 

Theoretically it's actually better, being as biking doesn't cause all of the knee problems that running does.

I wouldn't suggest mountain biking unless you are already very good at it though. If you're just taking it up, it's such a technical sport (log-hopping, tight turns, rock negotiation) that it's going to take quite a while for you to get sound enough on even the most basic mountain bike course to really start getting cardiovascular exercise. Early last summer I had a similar idea, and would mountain bike for around two hours a day. A noble gesture, but unfortunately I was a mediocre rider at best, so while I could get my heart really working on some of the longer uphill sections, I found myself using most of my energy trying not to injure myself instead of riding fast. It was, of course, better than nothing, but instead of increasing my aerobic capacity it pretty much just kept it the same.

Also, mountain biking is a high injury risk sport. Just about a week ago my father (an amazing biker, mountain and road, and all around athletic fiend) broke his hand when he clipped a tree. To a boxer, this would be a huge blow to training.

So unless you are good enough to get aerobic exercise from mountain biking and not get injured at the same time, I'd run instead. Of course, mountain biking is still alot of fun, so on days off or instead of easy road work, I'd say go for it.

Road biking, on the other hand, could easily be as good as running, if you were really pushing yourself.


Good luck!