advice for total beginner with no training

so i've been boxing some with my friends after school with headgear on... one has been fighting his whole life and the others are just a little stronger and better than me so needless to say i did very poorly. the next time i boxed i did a little better but then i hung up a punching bag and watched several training videos online so i could improve but, the next time i boxed i actually did much worse and really lost a lot of confidence. I'm almost scared to box again but i feel i really want to improve i just have no money for any training. Does anyone have any advice on how i could get better and prepare for the next time i box? I don't expect to be able to beat the kids i'm boxing i just want to feel that i'm improving not getting worse... and maybe get a few good hits in as well :D. any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Plenty of people HAVE learned to box the way you are starting out, perhaps Jack Dempsey is one of the best known and most successful who did it this way.

But I believe that most people would tell you this is both dangerous and not likely to be the best path.

How old are you? Who is supervising your 'bouts'?

At my gym it takes some significant time to get to spar. I have been there almost seven months, and I MIGHT get to actually spare this month or next. (Sure there are people who could have done this faster even in my gym but I have been attending training almost every day as well.)

There are two major reasons that Coach (and other coaches) don't let beginners spar too early:

1. Avoiding getting people seriously injured
2. Avoiding making bad habits and lack of technique permanent

There are also the issues of new boxers getting discouraged and quitting because they are getting beaten since they have no comparable skills to their sparring mates, or failing to improve because they have no concept of what they are doing wrong (or right.)

Even for the guys who spar regularly (in my gym) they are training several days for each day they spar.

Money is a real problem if you cannot afford lessons, but do consider looking for ANY opportunity to find a real coach/trainer who will help you learn to actually do it right.

Where (generally) are you located?

--
HerbM

Speakurmind...

As obvious at it my sound, the best way to learn to box is to seek out a coach willing to help you.
Fooling around with your friends may be a tough workout and may be a lot of fun, but it most certainly won't help you to develop any significant skills or boxing intelligence.

Boxing requires education and an acute knowledge of the fundamentals of boxing, which is then supplemented by athleticism, nutrition and specialized training methods. Getting the headgear on and throwing hands is only a small fragment of the puzzle and is actually detrimental when done without the correct groundwork.

So not to be negative I'd like to offer my advice.
Initially check your local boxing gym. Get some testimonials form fighters attending and inspect it. You're not only looking for good coaches, you're looking for a bunch of enthusiastic fighters, a hygienic work area and a safe environment. Once you get there, the coach should take it from there and the onus is on you to learn, work and enjoy yourself. I really hope you take the time to find a gym and continue to enjoy this wonderful sport.

The very best of luck