Wondering about my chin

I have really been wanting to do some boxing and MMA type stuff. I am 30 years old and a pretty good grappler. I have boxed sparingly on and off for years. The thing that I think has really kept me from doing it is I wonder about taking punches. The reason is, when I started boxing about 15 years ago when I was 15, I was sparring with a guy who was a semipro kickboxer and was about 32-33 at the time. We didn't have headgear or anything. After about 2 rounds, I was trying to slip under a right hook and he caught me on the temple with it and knocked me out. I don't remember much about it other than coming to and sitting up. I think they said I was out just a few seconds. A guy who was a pro boxer was there as well. The guy I was sparring with said that he didn't think he hit me that hard, but the boxer said it looked like a pretty good lick. Anyway, ever since then, I have wondered about my ability to take a shot. I have sparred numerous times since then, all but one time with a headgear and haven't been rocked. I've played college football (fullback) and took pretty good shots (with a helmet however). When I spar, I don't care to get hit, and I'm not afraid to get hit, but getting in front of a crowd and risk getting knocked cold with the first shot is something that is a mental block for me. I was just wondering if anyone had any insight on this and could maybe offer some advice.

You were just unlucky I would think. Sounds like the guy you sparred took a liberty man sparring with boy, sounds a right arsehole. probably a bottle job himself, I wouldnt worry to much go and give it a go and enjoy.

yeah, total prick. Real tough fighting a boy. and total f'in assholes who put him in with you.

cc scrap.

Thanks for the input guys. I really do think it is a mental thing. Being a wrestler, I have always tried to keep my neck in shape and strong. I was wondering, do you think that really plays a role in being able to take a punch. I was trying to think of some pro boxers who have a big neck but a glass jaw and I can't really think of any other than maybe Klitchko. although I think his is more or an endurance thing.

klitchsko has the glass mind not glass jaw hehe

if he got you on the temple just right how good a chin you have should be irrelevant, just unlucky to get hit on that part of the skull IMO

Many times it is just how you get hit not how hard....Remember Naseem Hamed he knocked guys out with the most unorthodox punches you ever seen..Angles are a great weapon....if you think you are suspect in an area just work on covering up in that area more....From what you say though you just had a guy who took liberties when he shouldnt have knowing your experience level...If it is any consolation you were hit in the temple not the jaw and anyone I mean ANYONE can go down from a shot to the temple....
As for the worrys of being in front of a crowd and getting KO'd...Thats a normal feeling any new fighter has...I suggest working out in front of as many people as you can while sparring to get past the crowd shyness...HEY REMEMBER everyone has been KO"D in front of a crowd....Even Ray Robinson, Tyson, Lewis, Hearns ect....just part of the game

and Jones Jr. I didn't think that would ever happen. I remember thinking how embarrassed (more than anything else) he must have felt.

It's possible for anyone to get knocked out at any time, but man... you were 15 years. Fighting a grown man, that's a really big deal. Don't question your chin at all. Go for it. Get in there now ;D

P.S.= I'd love to see you smack that guy down now. He'd be what? 47? What a jerk.

Thanks guys. Your advice is truly appreciated. I think that I will give it a try soon. I want to get in the best physical shape I have ever been in before I do. I do want to be able to say that I have actually fought some organized fights. I hope that I am able to build up the courage :)

If you can take shots sparring, even with headgear on, and can play football no problem, then boxing shouldn't be a problem either. ;)

You got taken advantage of, which is a sad and very common occurence in nearly every gym I have ever been in. A friend of mine was 15 when they let him "spar" with a 20-0 pro and he was ko'd. Years later he was 3-0 as a pro and they- his management- tried to put him in with Clyde Gray, who had just gone 15 for a world title.
Practically, and to quote Jake LaMotta, "keep your hands up and your ....rear..off the floor"
A big part of taking a punch is being loose. Tension is your enemy when getting hit. Ride with shots. Don't resist them.

Definetly, thats why all those body builder types have glass jaws... they can't move with the punch and take the full brunt.

*BANG*

out

Most of them don't have the speed to turn their strength into power either so even fewer of them can punch.

Thanks again guys. As far as the tension thing goes and being more loose in the ring, is there anything that can help you with that besides sparring? I tend to be a little tight in the ring. I feel like if I tense my neck and shoulders, I can absorb better. I know that is wrong, I think that my defense needs tons of work. What are some good drills for developing defensive tactics?

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Originally Posted by bs242

I have really been wanting to do some boxing and MMA type stuff. I am 30 years old and a pretty good grappler. I have boxed sparingly on and off for years. The thing that I think has really kept me from doing it is I wonder about taking punches. The reason is, when I started boxing about 15 years ago when I was 15, I was sparring with a guy who was a semipro kickboxer and was about 32-33 at the time. We didn't have headgear or anything. After about 2 rounds, I was trying to slip under a right hook and he caught me on the temple with it and knocked me out. I don't remember much about it other than coming to and sitting up. I think they said I was out just a few seconds. A guy who was a pro boxer was there as well. The guy I was sparring with said that he didn't think he hit me that hard, but the boxer said it looked like a pretty good lick. Anyway, ever since then, I have wondered about my ability to take a shot. I have sparred numerous times since then, all but one time with a headgear and haven't been rocked. I've played college football (fullback) and took pretty good shots (with a helmet however). When I spar, I don't care to get hit, and I'm not afraid to get hit, but getting in front of a crowd and risk getting knocked cold with the first shot is something that is a mental block for me. I was just wondering if anyone had any insight on this and could maybe offer some advice.

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You were a kid at that time , fighting an older person with pro experience . , no worries bro.. you will be fine. I would track that mofo down and kick his country ass ! . " I'm not 15 now muther@#!#@ , as you land that left hook to ribcage ! " ;)

I Dont Really Mind Taking A Punch,, But I Would Like To Spar At A Gym WIth Someone With Real Boxing Talent, Cuz Im Sure the Punches Ive Taken Arnt anything Close To The Real Thing. I Thought Just Cuz They Lifted Alot Of Weights Up To Like 300 Pounds So i Figured Thats As Hard I Was Gonna Be Hit But They really HAve No real Punching Technique If they Did Im Sure They Would Hot Real Hard..