Dont go sparring with a friend whos also untrained. alex is right its unsafe and utterly pointless.

No-one's gonna have a problem with a 23 year old wanting to box and equally no one is gonna have an issue of someone with no pro dreams.

However most dont like 'keep fitters' theyd prefer it if you wanted to start boxing amatuer eventully in 6month time or whatever. If your saying you have no interest in competeing at all, then they wont want to spend much time on you, for perfecting your technique and doing pad work with you etc, is pointless for them.

My advice, give it a go - even if your not interested in competeing - after a few weeks there you might just change your mind!