Re: Is 24 too old to start boxing?
Originally Posted by
MindEraser
Hey guys, long time reader first time poster. I was hoping I could get someone else's brutally honest opinion on whether 24 is too old to start boxing professionally or not - let me lay it out. I'm 5"10, 150lbs with an athletic build and can get down to 135 easy. I do feel I'm very big for this weight. I've trained on and off for a couple of years in mma where I did learn to punch quite hard and would definitely be considered a puncher if I chose to do this. I would say I know boxing pretty well and am aware of all the other things that need to be known on top of punching. I've studied it quite a bit from the 10 years or so that I've watched.
To be completely honest when I did spar in my previous training I had a tendency to flinch when hit in the head (typically when I sparred the heavyweights and had a certain amount of anxiety - so potentially the same could happen with a really fast puncher). It started to go away the more serious I took the training but as most people do I became lazy and stopped, so I'm sure that problem still exists for me (and I know in boxing you must be comfortable with things flying at your face). My lungs are not in the best of shape. Over the last few years I've had more than my fair share of smoking the funny stuff, but that's all. I've never really smoked anything else nor went for alcohol (and now I have no unhealthy vices).
As far as fitness level is concerned it's always been easy for me to turn that around, so that isn't really my worry. My concern is with the people who have been doing this since were 10 years old. 135 to 147 are always jam packed with seasoned talent, which makes this even more difficult. My father believes I can do it, and is willing to assist me financially until I'm making my own money with it, so I could make it my life's work potentially. I'm in the Fort Worth area where I know Paulie Aayla has a gym and is taking on new fighters, so access to a good trainer isn't a problem.
Before I wanted to fight, but at 24 with nothing to show for it I'm starting to feel like I have to. So, all things above considered would you say talent and dedication would be enough to pull this off? Also, would you say my body not being put through hell up to this point would give me a few extra years before father time caught up?
Sorry to get long winded there, and thanks for any feedback in advance.
First of all it's never too late, until YOU say it's too late.
I would recommend taking it one step at a time, sounds like your fitness is almost there, so that's the first step. The next step would be to get a trainer you're comfortable with, your trainer will let you know when you are ready to spar. I would try to get that far and then make any further decisions after that.
For every story told that divides us, I believe there are a thousand untold that unite us.
Bookmarks