Looking to get more serious / need training advice

Hi All,

I am 27 (28 in September) and have been boxing for about a year, just as a way to keep fit. Having recentley relocated I found a new gym to train at, the difference being that the one I was training at before was not an amateur gym, and this one is.

Having had a few private lessons the trainer is very keen for me to enter into the Novice Seniors this year in October, and as such I took the M3? medical a few weeks back, and passed this.

As such I am now looking to get more serious in regards to my boxing, and also hopefully competing, so I need a fair whack of advice, which I have listed below - these are my details:

Male
27 years old
177lbs (trying to reach 165)
Training - 3 times a week Tue/Thu/Sat - 1.5 hours (Warm up / shadow work / bags / spar or pads / circuit)
Sundays I tend to mountain bike, so I clock up 10-15miles of off road cycling (2-3hours)

Fight - Orthadox, although I am naturally left handed (I feel relativley comfortable fighting Southpaw, but don't feel as powerful / stable)
The guys I train with say that I punch incredibly hard, and that this is my greatest asset, as such they have been training me to fight out of a peek a boo guard - trying to set up for left hooks - as this is my most powerful shot

Equipment wise - at home I have a rowing machine 1x heavy bag and 1x speed ball


So these are my main questions:

1. Should I be training more ? at present I have Monday nights clear, wednesday and Friday I tend not to do anything - If I should be doing more - what would be the best exercise - swimming / running etc....

2. As I used to weigh alot more than I do now, I tend to follow the weight watchers diet - so I do watch what I eat - suppliments wise should I look into taking something like creatine ??? Or as I am trying to drop weight still, should I leave supplements out for the time being

3. I don't feel particulary mobile in terms of dodging shots, and feel this is the major area that lets me down - what drills are best for improving my bobbing / weaving

4. Which fighters should I look to study considering fighting in a peek a boo style ? At present I have some Tyson fights and a few Cotto ones, as theses are the main fighters I am aware of that adopt this style

5. Alcohol ! Im not an incrediblyheavy drinker, but having worked in teh entertainment industry ofr a number of years I do like the odd drink. I have replaced beers with vodka and diet mixers - as in terms of calories I am aware that this is much better for me. But in reality how many units maximum (if any) should I be having a week - also leading up to a fight how long should I be not drinking for

6. I am aware that David Haye goes weeks without how do i put this ? releasing !?! before a fight, not wanting a grumpy girlfriend is this really neccessary at an amateur level ? Or is this more a few days before kind of a deal ???

I hope there not too stupid but these are my main concerns at present. I would really like to get a regime set up in terms of my eating and exercising, as I find that this helps me stick to my guns !

Thanks

Ian

Hey man, hate it when my threads go un-noticed, so I thought I would share what insight I do have.

1. My coach always says to train on a day off, listen to your body, you'll know when you need rest. Swimming and running are excellent ways to keep up the cardio (swimming much less impact on your body than running of course)...Even 10-15 minutes of HIIT with the jump rope will pay dividends. I tend to take Sunday off, and mix-up my training the other days.

2. I take GNC Wheybolic, and today just bought creatine and glutamine chews to speed up the recovery process and give me more stamina. Nothing beats a well-balanced diet of protein, carbs, and healthy fats. Salmon, tuna, chicken, turkey, lean red meets, green veggies and fruits, lots of water.

3. Ha ha ask Scrap for this one....Basically sparring and not wanting to get hit is a good motivator! I have been jogging and jumping rope with ankle weights...Creates crazy fast feet.

4. Tyson, Cotto, Mayweather...sure there are some oldies to look at too

5. As Money May says...he goes to the clubs but he NEVER EVER drinks. It's poison to your body and negates all the hard work you put in at the gym....Limit to 1-2 drinks/week at the MOST....leading up to a fight not at all

6. If your giving up alcohol, this is a good alternative and work-out/stress release. Maybe 1-2 a week? Make your gf want it more and it will be better for both of you! ;D

Just go through the threads. Tons and tons of info on proper diet and nutrition. Just be sensible. No fast food, processed food, sugars, booze, basically the good stuff!. Anything that isn't natural basically.


I'm only 23, and only have 2 years training/sparring with no fights. But by following the no alcohol, listening to my body when it needs rest, and switching up my activites, I found I don't get bored with it. Recently started learning muay thai kicks, knees, elbows for self-defense.


I'm sure others will have better advice. Good luck and stay with it!!

1. Remember train as your body tells you watch you dont overtrain. When i boxed amature i only Trained 2 times a week for 2 years then when i Started to fight it was 4-5 days with running on sunday.
2. Supliments Creatine is good for Recovery well i find it good. Also its good for post training to keep fuels up.

3. I cant really anwser that as loads of people have different tecs. I learne dby sparing, Pad work.

4.Try not emulate other boxers styles. Yes Study them how they throw shots,movment ect. But Develop your own style.

5. As amature its not relitivly Important to be unsociable. Although if your training for fight ect I would try stay off the drink. Just be responsible :)

6. Thers no sciantific proof that this helps or not its your choice. I dont and im fine ha :)

Hope im at help

Hey Reds

• In terms of your quest to get from 177 to 165, as there are so many variables to consider I won't comment other than to say that point 2 in your post suggests that your quite trim anyway, so 12 lbs might be a struggle (it's the last 3 or 4 lb that get you!)
• Your a lefty, I urge you to reconsider your selection of an orthodox style. A clever, strong and hard hitting southpaw provides terrible problems for your average orthodox boxer as your right hand jab comes in from a totally different angle and it's really awkward to defend against. If you move to your right as you're throwing the jab then it makes life even more difficult! Honestly, I'd really suggest that you reconsider and stick with southpaw, you'll get comfortable in time!
• Don't quite know how to say this but....ignore this piece of advice from the guys you train with. You're a boxer, you learn to box! When the adjective 'Boxer' officially changes to 'Left Hooker', and we all partake in 'Left Hooking' and not 'boxing', then you can focus solely on the left hook. Until then, develop a balanced style. Don't focus on 'peek-a-boo', watch any boxing you can in order to learn. Coping with a boxer who only left hooks is relatively easy...even Iron Mike threw top notch jabs, crosses and uppercuts as well as possessing some outstanding footwork.

On to your specific points:

1. Train as you are, and run on Wednesdays and Fridays, building in some sprints. Running is a must! It will carry you through the tough rounds, especially if you're loading up with hooks. Have Sunday and Monday to do as you please!
2. I'm not a nutritionist so I'll swerve this (cop out alert!)
3. Learn your boxing stance for mobility. Performing speed improvement exercises is good, but if the stance is wrong then the ankle weights etc. might as well be for a member of Michael Flatley's Riverdance Troupe...they need 'fast feet' as well! Have a look here for my version of the stance. I posted a drill here that might help.
4. As previous, watch all the fighters you can. Don't focus solely on 'peek a boo' as such.
5. Be sensible re: alcohol. Keep balance about your life, live healthily and in moderation and you'll be fine as a novice amateur boxer. That's not to say that this will always be the case. I think it does have an impact on your weight making as well (others may have a better understanding.)
6. No Comment...nice problem to have though!

Good luck with the Novices, I've trained 3 winners of these Championships. They're a real good opportunity for guys like yourself and the quality is surprisingly good. Train hard and analyse your style as you go.

Good Luck mate

Yours in Sport

Fran

Hey there man...

Glad to hear you're taking an interest in the sport and even more pleasingly you're showing some potential.

As regards your question about the quantity of training- well yes, you should be training more. The three sessions a week with your coach are like tutorials or boxing instruction. You've got to apply that yourself and master the fundamental techniques. Supplermentary to this you may need to improve your fitness levels, strength and endurance. It sounds like a lot, but its the constant desire to attain perfection that allows us to develop as fighters.

Wish you luck.