Amature Boxing Question???

Hi, I am 18, 5'8 and about 145lbs. I have about 6-7 months of boxing experience and have sparred 3 times, then I had to take the last couple of months off when I went to college. I now want to start boxing again and hopefully soon enter into some amature matches ( within the next 6months). So, I have a couple of questions. (I don't have enough money to join a boxing gym yet, so I am getting in shape at my schools gym)
1. How good of shape do you have to be in to become an amature boxer (not a lazy one, but one that can go the distance) and I plan to fight at 135-140lbs so what weight class is that?.
2. I heard that body shots don't get counted as much as head shots, is that true? and is that the reason most the boxers you see on youtube don't try many of them.
3. I have a really strong and compact body hooks ( I have beaten many people up to 50lbs bigger than me at bodys and I can hit the heavybag good), however when am sparring I can't seem to get into positon (when there not on the ropes or in a cornor) to hit them or when I try I get hit first. Any tips?
4. I know KO's don't happen that often, but after watching alot of videos and real life matches of amature boxering, I think I can get quite a few KO's from body shots, what does everyone think?
5. Also, any tips for training or just from your own experience will be greatly appreciated.

I've read through this thread a few times, and thought it was time I should try and give you some answers.

First up, a boxing gym doesn't cost as much as you'd think, and if you want to box in amateur matches you're going to need to join one asap. I'll try to answer the other questions as you posted them!

1:How long is a piece of string. You can be super fit and hit the floor in the first round or you can be a big tub of lard with a good jab and beat the hell out of someone, as I rule I'd suggest get as fit as you can.135-140 pounds puts you in Light weight/Light welter weight category.

2: Not as far as I'm aware, points are scored when judges agree that a punch has landed cleanly on any scoring area (front of head, upper body, lower body, L/R side). Body shots are avoided by many fighters as this leaves your head un-guarded and as you lean in you become vulnerable to a big hook to the head.

3:In the corner or on the ropes is a good place to start, or slip the opponents rear hand and follow with a hook to the body. If a sparring partner is throwing a lot of jabs and straights to my head I will often move in on them, opening my face up to land 2-3 quick hooks/uppercuts to the body. If you're going to try this you've got to know you can take a few hits to the face.

4:I watched superman, and that flying business seems quite easy! In all seriousness, don't focus on knock outs, its a dangerous way to fight for you and your opponent. Sometimes you will knock someone down, sometimes someone will knock you down. Box for points not injuries.

5: Join a gym. Hitting a bag trains you to hit a bag, not how to box. If you can't join a gym yet, focus on cardio work, get your legs and core strong, build up your calves with lots and lots of skipping and sprints and squats. That way when you do join a gym you can focus on skills rather than fitness.

Hope some of that helps

This man no's what he is on about fittnes first in the gym it's all about skill's bag's to me no good for your hand's my son bust hand useing them.;);)