With so many different sports and forms of exercise out there, it can be difficult to land on the right workout for you. Have you ever considered giving boxing a try?
Boxing would be a great choice if you already enjoy watching it or other combat sports. Perhaps you already have experiences in combat sports like judo or Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Certain physical traits, such as quickness, fast reflexes, long arms, and stamina, would also prove quite beneficial in the ring.
If you possess any of those interests or traits, you should step into the squared circle and give boxing a shot. It provides an outstanding cardio workout, a good base for self-defense and there is always more to learn!
1. You like watching combat sports
Thanks to mixed martial arts, combat sports have skyrocketed in popularity over the past 20 years. Anderson Silva and Georges St-Pierre had phenomenal reigns at their respective weight class, while Conor McGregor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Ronda Rousey recently took the sport all the way to mainstream audiences.
Boxing has understandably lost some of its lusters as a result, but it remains must-watch entertainment at the highest level.
Canelo Alvarez is the fearless pound-for-pound king who seems open to taking on any challenger. With Tyson Fury closing the book on his trilogy with Deontay Wilder and Oleksandr Usyk defeating Anthony Joshua, we may even have an undisputed heavyweight title fight on the horizon. That has not happened in over 20 years.
Meanwhile, undefeated welterweight champion Terence Crawford will likely face his toughest opponent yet when he and Shawn Porter face off on November 20.
These are exciting times in the sport, and if you have been following along, maybe you would like to throw on some gloves and try boxing yourself. As a devoted fan, you would have an advantage over complete newcomers because you understand the basics at the very least—how to throw punches, how to move your feet, how to move your head, etc.
Let’s say you are only a casual fan. In that case, you could still have fun practicing McGregor’s patented straight counter, Usyk’s dazzling footwork, Canelo’s head movement, or Wilder’s devastating overhand right.
Even if you do not have fighting experience, just watching the sport can provide valuable information and a good head start.
2. You have experience in striking combat sports
This one is obvious but it’s important to mention.
If you do have experience in another striking combat sport, you are in an even better position because you should have an understanding of principles such as leverage and distance, and footwork. Dictating the range of the fight and controlling your opponent’s frame is vital in boxing.
Maybe you are familiar with striking via karate, taekwondo, kickboxing, or even MMA.
Having prior striking martial arts experience and knowing what it is like to train at a proper gym will make it much easier to find your groove in boxing. You will not be overwhelmed by the physical requirements of the sport or the concept of live sparring.
There are few more satisfying feelings than flowing from one combat sport to another mid-fight, picking your shots from a variety of disciplines to get the best of your opponent.
Unfortunately, striking combat sports are very different from grappling ones so even if you had experience as a grappler (BJJ; wrestling; sport sambo) that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll be a good boxer.
3. You are quick
Whether you are a martial artist, an athlete, or none of the above, you may have natural quickness. That is a great asset in the world of boxing.
Sure, raw power is wonderful. But a lot of the time, fighters win on the strength of their quickness, timing, and boxing IQ. Being able to land a punch before your opponent can will put you in the driver’s seat. No one likes eating a punch, and your ability to connect with yours will make your opponent hesitant.
Quickness isn’t limited to hand speed either. If you can move your feet and head in a swift and intelligent manner, you can evade punches and create different angles of attack that may surprise your opponent. This can also tire them out and make them ripe for the picking later in the contest.
Among current fighters, Canelo is one of the best at frustrating opponents with his head movement. In terms of gaining a dominant angle through footwork, Vasiliy Lomachenko is an absolute wizard. It is safe to say his Ukrainian dance classes have paid off.
Beyond the speed at which you move, reaction time is another important trait. Good reflexes allow you to adjust to your opponent’s choices in the blink of an eye, capitalizing on the slightest mistake they make.
If you are naturally quick and boast good reflexes, you can damage your opponent before they even know what hit them. Roy Jones Jr., one of boxing’s true human highlight reels, was famous for doing just that.
There is an old adage in boxing that suggests the most dangerous punch is the one you do not see coming. Not the most powerful one.
4. You have good stamina
Another valuable trait is endurance. If you do any cardio-intensive training (e.g. running, cycling, swimming), then boxing could be a nice fit.
Though technique and power are crucial, the longer a fight wears on, the more important your stamina becomes. In about between two evenly skilled fighters, the one who can keep—or even impose—a fast pace from start to finish will enjoy much better odds of prevailing.
NFL coach Vince Lombardi once said, “Fatigue makes cowards of us all.”
This is true in boxing as well. Once someone reaches a certain level of tiredness, their fundamentals and will to continue virtually disappear. Every feint or punch saps their gas tank and exacts a bigger toll until they eventually quit. A simple jab can become a fearsome weapon under these circumstances.
During his lengthy winning streak, Lomachenko earned the nickname “NoMasChenko” due to his ability to make his opponents quit from the pace of the fight and the volume of punches he would throw. Countryman and current WBA, WBO, and IBF heavyweight champion Usyk are equally relentless.
Fury, a 6’9” behemoth, is a natural-born fighter because he displays outstanding stamina for a man of his size. Despite employing a feint-heavy style that requires a fair deal of energy, he is always in your face.
Possessing that type of cardio will go a long way in boxing.
5. You are long-limbed
If you aren’t particularly quick or endurant, you can train to at least make up some ground in those areas. But there is one critical trait you cannot control or improve: the length of your arms.
A long reach is one of the biggest advantages you can hold in a boxing ring. From a purely physical standpoint, you can touch your opponent before they can touch you. As such, you can dictate the terms of the fight. At long range, you have the upper hand. Unless your opponent attempts to close the distance, they will eat straight punches all day. They must take risks that you are not forced to take due to this reach discrepancy.
Lennox Lewis, Sonny Liston, and Tommy Hearns are examples of fighters who possessed a long reach for their frame. They could safely pop their jab and only engage when they felt like it.
Obviously, just having a long reach is no substitute for the skill, technique, and boxing IQ. But if you can combine those traits with a significant physical advantage, you can become a very difficult fighter to beat.
Think of it like height in basketball. It is not the be-all and end-all by any stretch, but being 6’5” or taller certainly represents a good starting point.
Conclusion
Boxing is a wonderful sport. It is great for cardio, self-defense, and much more technical and tactical than it appears from the outside looking in. No matter how long you have been training, there is always more to discover and practice.
Admittedly, however, it can seem intimidating and is not necessarily for everyone.
If you are already boxing or martial arts fan, then you might be interested in trying to emulate what you see on screen. Better yet, you might already have combat sports experience. If so, you are in a great position to add boxing to your arsenal.
If you do not have combat sports knowledge or experience, you might still be a boxing natural. Quickness, fast reflexes, good cardio, or long arms can give you a head start in the sport.
Even if none of this applies to you, it is still worth considering boxing. There are countless benefits to the sport, and the only way to find out whether it is for you is by giving it a try.
