Developing a fighting mentality...

**billy4184** · 10-16-2009 07:02 PM

I am getting ready for my first fight and have the same problem. I have never been in a real fight in my life, but I need that attitude that will get me the win. I have been hit through the course of my training many many times, but initially found it difficult to respond, and initially I would just cry and get really emotional.

The thing I found out is that there is no noble beauty in actual fighting. If you try to find it, you never will because it ain´t there. The objective of fighting sports is to incapacitate the opponent as soon as possible. It is not the same as soccer or volleyball or whatever other sport. It is brutal and violent, or at least should be. So what Im saying is, you have to be a monster. If you´re a nice person it might seem wrong, but fighting is never really right. It is wrong, and thats the way we like it.

You must ENJOY it. You can´t just think, I have to do this, or else you will need a big shot of adrenaline before you can get into it, all the while thinking, well I don´t really HAVE to do this, I can just quit. You must enjoy seeing the other person fall over from one of your punches, or hunched up, completely demotivated, while you pound their guard. If not, you might as well forget fighting. Its like going to a brothel without being ready to enjoy sex.

That said, every human being has, or should have, a code of ethics. You arent going to kill the person, so you might as well enjoy bruising them up. It doesnt mean you can go home and treat your friends and family the same way. But don´t be scared of breaking someone´s nose, especially if they came all the way over to bash you up. If there is any part of you that enjoys it, that should be the part that is in control when u fight.

I just want to add that whenever I face directly the issue of violence being enjoyable, it actually makes me feel more confused. It is a part of you that you must relax and let take hold, not try to create.

Next time you spar (with someone who at least knows how to fight), try to make their nose bleed. And dont regret it.

Good luck

**Rocky Balboa** · 10-17-2009 11:12 PM

I am/was raised to turn the cheek... but I feel no qualms about beating someone in the ring

**atgatt** · 10-21-2009 10:22 AM

Sorry about coming late into this thread. Very interesting reading. My totally unprofessional view is, I'm a wimp when it comes to fighting. When I was in street fights and sensed a fight was coming, my heart was about to come out of my chest I was so afraid. My Dad taught me, love people and do all you can to stay out of fights, but if you have no choice, then you show them what vicious means. My parents didn't raise me to be a victim.

For ring fighting, I couldn't do it. Light sparring, ok, but all out boxing, no. There is too much research to show that is not healthy for the brain so I would feel bad not only having it done to me, but doing it to them.

Still, I love watching and learning.

**Aweless** · 10-21-2009 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by atgatt

Sorry about coming late into this thread. Very interesting reading. My totally unprofessional view is, I'm a wimp when it comes to fighting. When I was in street fights and sensed a fight was coming, my heart was about to come out of my chest I was so afraid. My Dad taught me, love people and do all you can to stay out of fights, but if you have no choice, then you show them what vicious means. My parents didn't raise me to be a victim.

For ring fighting, I couldn't do it. Light sparring, ok, but all out boxing, no. There is too much research to show that is not healthy for the brain so I would feel bad not only having it done to me, but doing it to them.

Still, I love watching and learning.

See I don't understand that way of thinking. I understand the risks too, but they don't deter me from boxing. Also why would you feel bad for the person your sparring? They are in the ring with you to improve their boxing not to just inflict pain on you. Also why would you need research to prove to you being hit over an over in the head isn't good for you.

I just think your focusing on the negative which scares you from really getting into it.

I've only recently started sparring, and I too was worried. Not scared of brain damage, but of losing a tooth since I like my teeth. However I got past it since I really do enjoy boxing. I have to say it was one of my favorite experiences of my life. However I want to improve myself greatly before doing it again though since I was shown how ineffective my skills were. My point is that if you really do enjoy boxing don't worry about the risks and just live your life. Hell you could be hit by a car crossing the street tomorrow. About 5,000 pedestrians are killed and another 64,000 are injured in motor vehicle accidents every year in this country. If you want some stats to worry over that effects all of us.

As for the topic. Being mentally prepared to box is all about how you perceive it to be. I see sparing as two people improving themselves. So when I got clocked clear in the chin from a uppercut when I was leaning I wasn't pissed at the guy I was sparring I was annoyed at myself for leaning too much. It's all how you perceive it to be. Understanding why your in the ring will help you be able to perform in the ring. Punch your opponent to win. If you don't want to punch your opponent,or want to win. Then your simply there to get punched so get out of the ring.

**Youngblood** · 10-21-2009 10:38 PM

I just freakin love punching people in the face! lol

Not in some cruel, or angry way, but have always loved it, so it is likely a good thing I found boxing when I did, young.

**atgatt** · 10-22-2009 12:34 AM

I'm NOT saying a boxer is cruel. Like you said, it is expected that the opponent does their best and not hold back. It is fair since both understand the sport. I am saying that I can't do it.

Risks? I ride a motorcycle for 99% of my transportation, but I do wear all the gear and read and follow safety on a regular basis. Sorry, but I'm a realist. I don't want to live in a pretend world or be guessing at things that involve my safety when I should be studying it to cut the risk. People spend hours watching TV but don't care about things they should know by just taking a small amount of time to see.

You say, "My point is that if you really do enjoy boxing don't worry about the risks and just live your life." My philosophy is, if there is something I really enjoy, I investigate the dangers and see how safe I can make it. If you're not concerned about how you can cut back the odds about brain damage by the best head gear, gloves and possibly holding back on the power of some power punches, then have it and ignore the data. Since when is knowledge bad? Hopefully I will take up boxing some day even in my old age, but it will be in a fashion that involves safety. Nothing is worth serious damage to me. Often, you can have your cake and eat it too, you just have to figure out how.

**Aweless** · 10-23-2009 03:02 AM

Then I would suggest that you don't box. Enjoy watching the sport from ringside. Studies have also shown head gear doesn't completely prevent brain damage. So it will never truly be safe enough for you to do it. If you aren't willing to take the risk stay out of the ring. I'm sorry but you are living in a pretend world. No amount of gear can protect you completely from a blow. So there will always be a little risk. Boxing isn't about going out and getting hurt. Boxers take every risk into account that is also why boxers train as hard as they do. Also sparring isn't always about going out to kill the other guy. It's about improving skills so if your willing to take a hit you can do it. That's the problem I see with you. Your not willing to take the hit. Boxing is about two people trying to hit each other while avoiding each others punches. My gym offers boxing classes for those who only wish to train as a boxer, but don't want to fight. I would suggest trying a class like that. You'll receive a good workout without being in any danger. I can't see you being in boxing any other way. Boxers don't ignore risks, they embrace them, and train harder because of them.