The Boxer...and Fear

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So many feelings

All differ depending on the level and different factors...

Keeping calm is so so SOOO important... but staying calm before stepping out in front of millions to face a top level boxer and fighting... imagine it? crazy.

Then add the mental warfare between fighters...

For me first time sparring (fight situation - not 'learning' easy going sparring) heart racing due to adrenalin jittery on edge.. not scared infact pretty confident just trying to keep cool to preserve energy when it's needed. I ended up feeling sorry for the opponent - was throwing silly telegraphed right hands which were easily countered with straight lefts ending up with him getting a busted in only a couple of minutes :/

 

Im nervous the night before, not in a 'im scared of being hurt way' because ive been boxing now since i was 9. but nervous of not performing, not being happy with myself etc. once i get to the changing rooms and the walk-in, i seriously love it. nothing like it, as some have already said, the feeling of going into battle. my first few bouts, i found it hard to control my adrenaline, can be incredibly draining! i guess the more you do it, the easier it becomes in a way. but i respect anybody who gets in the ring

 

great post- coulodnt agree more:good

 

Anxiety in the ring happens, if I feel I've not done or doing enough, never fear though )I haven't fought pro so maybe that's why)

 

I read a book about some old time fighters and their fears:

Archie Moore: Had an eating disorder (Many contributed it to his nerves from boxing).

Joe Louis: Would be violently sick (throwing up) the day of his fights from stress/nerves.

Carmen Basillio: Literally had to be locked out of his dressing room prior to his pro debut; Carmen later said he was terrified of boxing and it caused him to almost pass out before fights.

And there is one big name fighter that I can not recall that said his trainer took him to a mortuary before his pro debut. One of the coffins had the fighter's name on it; the trainer told him boxing extends life, trains you for a long existance. The fighter said he visualized the coffin before every fight, which calmed his nerves (ie: led him to a safe/comfort zone).

 

I never got a chance to compete, but there were days I'd have sparring sessions as brutal as fights in front of everyone else in the gym. Was always nervous. Like someone else said, not necessarily about getting hurt, but performing shitty, looking bad, disappointing myself, doing worse than I know I'm capable of, etc.

 

My first fight, the wait was worse than the fight. And I lost.

 

Seriously great thread. During ring walks I always say "I wonder what these guys are thinking right now."

In my very limited experience doing some kenpo tourneys in my 20s, the wait was clearly the hardest part for me. Especially the first time. The night before was brutal; I didn't even know who my opponent was going to be. Funny enough, after I got dropped once (not KO'd) it got easier.

 

To be honest, boxing is kind of a love/hate relationship with a lot of highs and lows. A lot of times training and sparring is so hard I ask myself why I even do it. But then I'm dying to get back in the gym afterwards.

I can only imagine the pressure fighters at the top level go through. Bradley's suicide comment was telling.