Quote Originally Posted by Gyrokai
Well, I spar on Thursday. I've been training regularly. Although I did catch a cold, so I cut off running, and stuck to shadowboxing and reflex bag. Went 15 rounds today (training).
4 Free style.
and the rest, either just ducking, sliping, moving to the right.

If I'm still sick by this coming Thursday, I suppose I have to cancel First Sparring Day.

Anyhow, I'm sparring with a first timer too. I know how you guys are against that. And that makes sense, but this is how it is. I don't think anybody will take it easy on me, so I might as well go with someone who doesn't know what they are doing.

Anyhow... (since it's a mistake, and I already decided to spar with an unexperienced fighter, like myself. The date is set.)

Have any advice on how to fight this guy?

Block for the first 60 seconds, until HE gets tired? heheh I need a mental advantage, a plan at least. Cause as I draw closer to this sparring session, I'm training harder, reading more, and learning more.

Anyways, the date is set and my opponent is set. I might be making too much a big deal about this, but as I said, I like to plan things out VERY much.

Advice on how to fight an unexperienced fighter

Get ready to take a beating for the first 60 seconds? haha
With my early sparring sessions still fresh in my memory, the one piece of advice (as others have said) is to not panic and try and be relaxed, which is probably easier said than done.

What I found I did (and then learn that most beginners do the same) is panic a little after geting hit, I'd stick my head down and then throw a couple myself, which wouldn't land as I wasn't even looking at the target, it also left myself wide open and practically defenceless.

What you need to keep in mind is that your inexperienced opponent is likely to act like this, so when you land you need to keep your guard and stay on the move. If he does catch you back, don't try and retalliate blindly, otherwise it'll end up exactly as grey described, with the two of you in close trading with your heads down not landing cleanly.

As a strategy against a beginner I would recommend staying on the outside and popping your jab at him whenever he comes in range. Try and beat him to the punch using straights so he's the one that's panicking, but be wary of wild winging hooks, as your inexperienced yourself you probably wont be able to avoid all of them.

One last piece of advice, I'd taken a few knocks in the head from my rugby days but nothing was quite like the experience of being hit for the first time in the ring. Its likely you'll get hit, and its possible that the feeling will be different than you anticipated (not nesecerily[spelling?] worse). Try and remember that if you can think in your head something like "holy shit that hurt", it means you still have your senses and are not on the way out, so don't hesitate and keep on the move befor the next one comes.

good luck and enjoy it.