Firstly, I want to apologise if this thread has bee done before but I have had a look through, can't really see anything and google is bloody useless.

Ok, I'll begin:

I used to do Tang Soo Do then Tae Kwon Do, then Lau Gar Kung Fu with former World champion Neville Wray between the ages of 6-18. My father was supportive of me doing martial arts but I was never allowed to do boxing - this was due to my mum saying she wouldn't want to see someone punch me in the face. I then had to give it up as I joined the Royal Air Force which I left after five years.

Anyway, now I am 26 years old and have decided that, while I still can, I want to give boxing a go. I'm 6'1, 13 and a bit stone and in ok shape. Now, I am under absolutely no illusions. I know that I won't be representing Great Britiain at the Olympics, I won't be calling out Manny Pacquiao when he retires, nor will I be on the cover of The Ring magazine. I want to do it because it's something I have always wanted to do as I love the sport, just wish I had've done it earlier. I have a good level of fitness due to my time in the forces but it's no where near as good as it used to be. I just want to be able to go down a gym a couple of times a week, improve my punching abililty, get a better level of fitness and just, generally, box. Obviously I would love to be able to spar in a ring etc but I have to walk before I can run.

I would just like to know what the best way to go about this is as I have absolutely no idea. I don't know if it's a case of you go down a gym and just join but then what? Do I sign up for lessons with an instructor or just stand at a heavy bag, like a muppet, not knowing what to do? I shadow box in front of my mirror when I get out of the shower but I can understand that isn't quite the same thing.

Any help from you guys would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.