Is It Ok To Sparr With The Same Opponent..

[Youngblood]

I do get to spar a variety of opponents, as the more I read from others think it is fairly versatile.

When I read from Donny and see that he gets to spar pros and Olympic hopefuls and so on, I tend to get a lil jealous and think how lucky he must be to get that caliber, for I do think the better people you can spar, the better you can become.

When I first came to my new gym, the very first person I sparred was the best there is in our city, and definately no slouch and national class. I sparred him 4 rounds and got hit more times then I could count and don't think I landed once flush on him, if even at all. So at then just barely 14 years old and him 21 or so...I set my goal in my mind to one day be better then him, whatever that takes. I figured maybe a few years and who knows.

We have now sparred every week, usually no less then 2 times a week for probably 4 months now, and I've taken many poundings...but can honestly say it has gotten so much closer that I know I will be better then him now. And I even think it could be within a year or so. Our last number of spars are close. Maybe it is just that I am figuring him out. Not sure exactly. I do know that aggression is a big factor. Instead of trying to keep from getting hit so much and hard from him...and countering and defensiveness...I basically charge right into his corner and bring it to him soon as the bell rings.

It has changed I believe how I spar him and my confidence, but also how I spar others. Confidence is a huge part of success I believe in boxing. Fear a barrier. I can't stress how much all the sparring my club does has helped me with confidence and experience.

Having the ability to condition at home and work on technique and sparring when valuable gym time is available has helped me a lot I believe.

Not sure where it goes from here, but am happy with the progression.