Quote Originally Posted by 56ker View Post
Well, I was thinking about joining a boxing gym to start practicing amateur boxing as a sport, as a hobby and as a mean of self defence. But there are some things that are holding me back:

I´m 20. I´m a skinny guy who doesn´t really have any "real" fighting experience. Also I don´t have a good physical condition. I can´t run more than 1km without taking a break or at least slowing the pace. Also my punches are weak :S. (well those are the reasons why I wanted to practice a sport (boxing) actually)

I wear braces, and I´m afraid to get my teeth ruined by receiving too many punches. How often does that happen?
Also I don´t want to have a crooked nose because of boxing. but again, is that going to happen?

I really don´t know if tthat´s going to happen but it worries me a bit. (yeah I know I sound like a whimp xD)

The thing is I want to practice a sport to have a healthier life. I like boxing because it can help me defend myself as well (and thus being more manly, I suppose xD)

So, I was hoping some of you guys could help me clear these inquiries.
Having no fighting experience is a good thing, take it from someone who's had a lot, it does you no good. What boxing will give you is the discipline to know that you don't need to fight. One thing not to be is afraid of getting hit, my nose has been broken twice in 2 different places, yet to look at it you wouldn't think so & you can always get it sorted on NHS.

Don't worry about your punches, technique will bring that along, a good punch is at least as much the technique as the raw power & not being a big guy you are more likely to hone the technique than someone with natural big power. The braces is an issue, I'm not sure how to deal with that, I know my gym doesn't let people box with contact lenses in, there might be something similar to braces. Even then you don't have to spar. If you just want to get fit, find a gym head down & do the fitness & work on the bags & speedball etc to deal with your technique. If you've never boxed before there's no way you will be having actual amateur fights for a while.

If you don't mind me asking, why do you want to learn to box to protect yourself? Do you have problems with people starting on you?