Originally Posted by Sharla
I'm a female boxer and I would say from my own personal experience I don't believe we have a lower pain threshhold. Some girls who are not suited to the sport (competing at least) may be easily intimidated but I've known guys the same. I've met some coaches who find women who've had children have a higher pain threshold than most - although I haven't had kids so I can't comment on that myself.
Back to the original question I once had a trainer who trained a guy who took punishment easily enough in the gym. However as soon as he competed he was knocked out by punches that should not have had such a great effect. My trainer took him out of competition for a while and built his confidence up in the gym. When he put him back in to fight again he did not get knocked out so easily. My ex-coach's theory was that being knocked out once and all the talk about it including some bulls**t about him having a soft jaw had him hypnotised to fall.
I think there is a lot to be said for recognizing the fact that we are all human and subject to weakening ourselves by loosing self esteem etc when listening to and believing negative ideas.