... For all the advice, when I read your guys' & gals' posts here. I know the knowledgable here, want to know details, so here it is...

I am 25 years old. I'm 5'10" and 161 lbs now. My reach is longer than my bud's, who's reach is long himself. My shoulders are a tad wide for my size too. I want to lose 10 lbs, to be at my best weight. I do have a small gut, but you can't tell because I look in better shape than the average American. I look like I should weigh in the 150's or lower, there is no way I am going to fight around the middleweight division! My body frame has been compared to Erik Morales! heheh

I currently live in Arizona. I go to college and don't plan on becoming a pro boxer. I haven't fought in the amateurs at all yet. I haven't sparred either. I read, talk, and think boxing plenty. I have a friend who's practically training me, who has the skill to compete and spar with Olympians. I don't drink or smoke... yep, I'm constantly the designated driver when I go out. I once read a really good boxing book that said, don't even think about stepping in the ring to spar, until you have had at least 6 months of preparation in the gym. I believe that. I have about 3 months of on and off experience in the gym. I'm a cautious type. Patience over risk, is my mantra. This is me, I'm not saying everybody should do that.

In the amateurs the ratio of brawlers to boxers is, 50 to 1. We have a lot of Mexicans around here, so you have to handle devastating hooks for six minutes! It's a crazy pace, where only the strong survive and win!

Right now, my number one priority is my cardio/stamina. I won't fight until I know my cardio is at a superior level. I used to be a runner when I was 18-19, a good one. I had to quit, because I didn't have a car, the smog, I lived in a huge city, I had to work, study, but most of all... I kind've starved back then. Even today, I believe my throat was damaged from the smog. So, I won't box until I have my "18 year old stamina" or surpass that. Another reason I won't spar or box yet, because school is my number one priority. So if I enter the ring, I don't want to get hit or hurt unnecessarily. I'm in no hurry. I don't want to fight, if I don't have boxing as a huge priority in my life. I know the risks involved, if not trained properly. Even if I don't end up fighting, I'm learning so much in the gym. I will prove myself when the time is right for me.

I have had talks with other boxers who say I should spar right away. Saying that it will tell if you are a "fighter" at heart. I don't believe that, but I can still understand why they do that. If a person doesn't have the heart, he or she should never fight. True, very true. If I don't have what it takes, I will stop myself, at my own pace. Not get beat down in the gym over and over, because I was ill-prepared. I will come in the ring in superior shape, THEN get beat down! lol

I can work out for 2 hours straight or more, without breaking to talk to fellow gym mates. So, I am disciplined. Also lifting weights, I'm starting to gain some good muscle for once.

I'm a beginner, so I'm concentrating on footwork, defense, speed, and technique. <--- will prepare me for those amateur Hooker/Brawlers here in Arizona. This includes shadowboxing and practicing back, forward, left, right side step motion repetitively.

Since I can finally afford to eat well, my current schedule is:
Monday 1:00 hour cardio
Tuesday 2:30 weights, jump rope, shadowboxing
Wednesday 1:00 hour cardio
Thursday 2:30 weights, jump rope, shadowboxing
Friday 1:00 hour cardio

...and every third weekend, I go on a monster run/hike. (I can only do this alone, for reasons too long to explain. I used to go to a gym, where I learned much. Now I have my boxing bud, who helps guide me)
Keep in mind, the reason my schedule may not be as busy as yours, it's because I have other priorties in life, as of now. This should change in the future and hopefully I can get a full training workout in a week, every week.

I'm working on Jump Ropes a lot here. As of now, I work on that, more than any equipment type workout. I think the jump rope is more important than the speed bag. Casual people always think that if your good at the speed bag, your a good boxer. heh

My favorite training workout is the double end bag!!! I love that bag! I have natural speed and accuracy, so the double end bag makes me look better than what I really am.

I can work the heavybag for over 6 three minute rounds. I love it! I sweat and feel tired, but great. The heavybag is what made my biceps and forearms enlarge. I made my first pair of gloves flatten within 2 months, from hitting the bag too much.

The boxer workout is the best! I read about how some boxers loathe training, I think this training has helped me as a person. Because of my runner background, I am able to push myself past others, when the going gets tough and fatigue sets in. When I used to go to our boxing gym, I loved it when I worked out more than anybody there! I can be competitive at times.

If I had it my way, I'd fight next year. haha By then, hopefully I can have a better and more consistent training regime. I know that many of you think I'm a wimp for delaying it that long, but I don't care. As long as I'm still training, learning, and getting in better physical shape.

Apologize at how disorganized this blog is. I also have a lot of smilies in there too. But if you knew me, you'd realize I'm a happy person. My smile still isn't as good as Ouma's.


I love replies, so go ahead and talk away, I will listen.