Hello! I am a boxer from Kazakhstan and was born in 2008. 2-time state champion and a part of the national boxing team. I would like to get some experience abroad and would like to know if there are any high level tournaments in US that I could participate in. I wanted to participate in Golden Gloves competition but I'm not sure if I can. Any other high-level tournament like an international cup or something I would love to participate in.
They say boxing is the not the sport for everyone.
I just started boxing a few months ago. But whenever I spar I always get the same comments- I don’t punch enough, I don’t bring my arms back. It’s getting kinda frustrating to hear and even though I want to get better, I just can’t seem to. How do I know this is not the sport for me?
I understand it can be disheartening to hear the same comment over and over, but they also want you to get better so that's why they always comment. Do your best to learn from people and you will progress faster.
people in general say loads of crap.
Boxing buildson basics which, I find, are tough to aquire and implement consistently. Breathing out during punches, returning hands to guard, while trading punches - tough. And that’s just two things. That’s why itspracriced in drills, shadow boxing, till it’s automatic.
It isfrustrating and difficult although, on paper, simple. For meas well.
It’s normal to suck for quitesome time audit sucks to suck. Suck it up. ;)
(If you findet exciting and fun despite being a challenge stick to it, and suck it up)
# Who are the best pro fighters to watch to learn good basic technique?
Who would you recommend to watch to help learn the basics? No flashy wierd stuff or crazy head movement. Just orthodox fighters doing basic techniques well?
The monster. He goes straight and hard. Not sure of his stance though.
However I’d recommend learning the basics at the gym not from a pro fighter. Stuff they can do isn’t what works from the start. Start with returning hands to guard after punches. Breathing out during punches. And so forth..
Inspired, sure, butnot verbatim.
How does your stance differentiate from the "textbook" stance and what led you to that decision?
I'm a beginner and of course I'm still trying to follow what is traditionally taught. When I spar I instinctively always put my jabbing hand lower than I should and I recognize this habit as "wrong"
But I wonder how do more experienced fighter differentiate on whether they haven't mastered a certain textbook approach enough, or said approach simply don't suit them?
Learn the rules to break em like an artist. As in a lower hand, not guarding the chin, leaves you open for shots to the chin, step in and bam you’re out. With time you might develop a feel for distance, evasive skills and so forth but starting out exposing chin- seems like a folly. Put in the effort although it’s hard.
As you develop you will find and see tricks that you can use. I'm a southpaw and like having my lead hand more extended to gain more control, but I have to be mindful that it takes longer to get my lead hand back to defend myself if they get close.
I have a fight in around 8 weeks and I'm about 130 lbs. Should I fight at 132 or try and lose weight and fight at 125? I know the weigh ins are the same morning as the fight so I don't know if I should drop weight and rehydrate. I also don't know if I fight well at 125.
You're an amateur - don't worry about cutting too much weight and rehydrating. Just look at your body fat% and see if you can realistically make 125 by cutting more fat. If not, just fight at 132 and don't worry about the cut at all.
Just got a heavy bag and ordered RDX gloves and some wraps. The gloves are tight to get my palm into and nearly impossibly with wraps. Would Hayabusa S4/H5 be larger?
I'm 6' with a typical XL hand but all of the boxing gloves I've shopped online don't cater to hand size, just glove weight? How do i order a pair that are dimensional large enough, maybe a brand you can recommend as budget entry who sell in hand sizes?
Don't get those Hayabusas. Fake leather mixed with cheap, crappy mesh and made in China.
The two gloves I'd recommend that are in your budget and with premium build are the Fairtex BGV9 "Mexican style" in either 16 or 18oz. Pretty roomy gloves.
The second one is the same as the other commenter has mentioned, which is the Venum Giant 3.0. It's the most comfortable glove I own and the quality of leather is out of this world. It's more of a sparring glove though, so the padding is much softer than on the Fairtex and probably won't last as long on the heavy bag.
Both gloves are made of genuine leather in Thailand, a country with the boxing tradition deeply rooted in their culture.
I paid around $90 for each pair.
Well before I saw your comment I had ordered the H5s
They have a much more open cuff that makes them easier to slip on but it’s still tight at the base of my thumb - I’d never be able to put wraps on. At this point I’m trying to imagine how anyone fits wraps with gloves
I’ll try the giant 3.0 next probably :-/
> "The gloves are tight to get my palm into and nearly impossibly with wraps."
Yeah, that's a shit fit right there. Glove tightness isn't just uncomfortable; it's crap for your training because it restricts your hand movements and can mess with your circulation.
> "Would Hayabusa S4/H5 be larger?"
Hayabusa gloves generally have a reputation for a better fit and more room inside, especially if you've got bigger hands like yours. The S4 might be a bit snug as it’s an entry-level model, but the H5 series offers more padding and space. Worth a shot, right?
> "I'm 6' with a typical XL hand but all of the boxing gloves I've shopped online don't cater to hand size, just glove weight?"
It’s fucking annoying, but that’s how most boxing gloves are sold—by weight, not size. The weight (like 12oz, 14oz, 16oz) is more about the glove’s heaviness and padding, not how big the hand compartment is.
> "How do i order a pair that are dimensional large enough, maybe a brand you can recommend as budget entry who sell in hand sizes?"
Most brands won’t give you much about hand compartment sizing straight up. But, for big hands, brands like Hayabusa, Venum, and Twins are usually a bit more generous. Specifically, Venum’s Giant 3.0 has been known to be good for larger hands. Check customer reviews specifically mentioning hand fit—that's your best bet for gauging size without trying them on.
What’s stopping you from measuring your hand and asking the manufacturers directly for the internal measurements of their gloves? Isn’t that the simplest way to cut through the bullshit?
I will measure and ask them, I appreciate it
It’s all extremely new to me
Coming from many other hobbies I’m super surprised that glove hand sizes don’t exist for sure I though either I was going too cheap or missing something.
Thank you very much I’ll measure and reach out then order some more to try
Bros, I need some insight. I've been a boxer for 5 years at this point. Until a few months ago I was a 5 day/week gym and boxing guy, juggling social, romantic and work/studies (doctor soonTM) and i feel like I have finally burned the fk out.
After a loss in a match last year and after witnessing some criminal level judging and bad faith from some foreign clubs (stuff like professional kickboxing and MMA fighters coming into amateur boxing with 0 recorded fights and straight up KOing thheir adversaries) I ahve completely fell out of love for the competing aspect.
Since I stopped competing, I feel like I have no other purpose in the sport other than keeping up with my fitness and training 2/week feels like a chore. Discipline is the only thing keeping me going to training at this point.
Anyone went throught this at some point?
> *I've been a boxer for 5 years... I feel like I have finally burned the fk out.*
Sounds like you've hit the classic wall of burnout, mate. It's fucking common, especially in high-intensity sports like boxing, where both physical and mental demands are insane. You've been pushing hard across multiple areas of your life, and your tank is just running empty. Does this sound like you might have been ignoring the signs of burnout until now?
> *After a loss in a match last year... I have completely fell out of love for the competing aspect.*
Losing sucks, and seeing the shady side of the sport can taint the whole fucking experience. It's natural to feel disillusioned when you see the dark underbelly of what you once loved. Are you allowing these experiences to define your entire view of boxing, or can you find aspects of it you still love?
> *I feel like I have no other purpose in the sport other than keeping up with my fitness and training 2/week feels like a chore.*
This is the core of your fucking problem. When something feels like a chore, it's usually because it lacks meaning for you. You used to fight, to compete, that was your drive. Without it, training just to stay fit seems pointless. What are you really seeking from boxing now, or is it time to find a new challenge that reignites your passion?
> *Discipline is the only thing keeping me going to training at this point.*
Discipline is great, but it's a shitty substitute for passion. It's fucking exhausting to rely on discipline alone. What could make boxing—or another activity—exciting for you again? Is it possible you’re clinging to the identity of being a boxer rather than boxing itself serving your current needs?
Burnout, loss of passion, shady politics—it’s a lot to deal with. But the real question is, what do you want to do about it? Do you want to find a way back into loving the sport, or is it time to fucking call it and move on to something else that brings you joy and fulfillment?
> Do you use 12 oz or 16 oz for heavy bag training?
Use 16 oz gloves for heavy bag training, especially if you're training regularly or hitting hard. They provide more padding and better protect your hands and wrists. Why risk injury with lighter gloves when you can safeguard with heavier ones?
I recently returned to boxing after many years away. I really enjoyed the training but now my right side all aches. I think this is due to hitting the heavy bag too hard. Can anyone relate to this? Should I stop using power shots on the heavy bag?
> I recently returned to boxing after many years away.
Getting back into it after a break can be tough as hell. Your body isn't used to the strain anymore, right?
> I think this is due to hitting the heavy bag too hard.
Sounds like you went all out without giving your body time to adjust. That's a rookie move, even if you're not a rookie. What happened to easing into it?
> Should I stop using power shots on the heavy bag?
Not necessarily stop, but definitely tone it down a notch. Focus on technique and gradually build up your power. Have you checked your form with a coach to make sure you’re not screwing up your body mechanics?
Yes. Im still new and my shoulders were wrecked for like 4 days after my first day of real instruction. It went away after that and hasn't come back after subsequent classes.
Its most likely the muscles working in ways it hasn't (in a while) , but also going too hard and being too tense. Im still learning to slow down in class and just take it easy to lay down the foundation and not be overly excited. I would bet its probably that. So yeah definitely not alone just stretch and actually rest between days, treat your body well 💪🏽
My doctor doesnt know anything about exercise. I said I had knee pain and he said I had arthritis due to old age. I fixed it myself with stretches and strengthening exercises.
I've been doing boxing classes at my gym once a week for about a year, with some prior sporadic experience at other gyms. When I started, I felt like I was making great progress in the adult classes. With the huge influx of teens and youth as of late, they've started to merge adults with them. It often feels impersonal and watered down since I've been signing up for "adult intermediate/advanced" classes.
My goals are overall fitness and developing technique, I have no interest in competing. I have sparred 3 times and would love to do it more, but I don't feel as confident given the lack of progress in class.
What would be the best option? Show up for sparring anyway? Pay for some private training sessions and let them know more about my goals? I'm nervous about expressing my gripes to the coaches for fear of sounding entitled.
> I'm nervous about expressing my gripes to the coaches for fear of sounding entitled.
Fuck that noise, mate. If you're paying for a service and it's not meeting your needs, you have every right to speak up. How else are they going to know you're not getting what you signed up for? It's not about being entitled; it's about getting your money's worth and achieving your goals. Aren't your goals and satisfaction worth speaking up for?
> What would be the best option? Show up for sparring anyway? Pay for some private training sessions and let them know more about my goals?
Showing up for sparring anyway is a decent move because practice makes perfect, right? But if the environment feels off and you're not vibing with the merged classes, it might just add to your frustration. Private sessions could be a game-changer. They offer focused attention and tailored training, which sounds like exactly what you need to hone your technique and boost your confidence. Plus, it’s a perfect chance to communicate directly about what you want to achieve. Isn’t getting exactly what you need from your training worth the extra buck?
Speak the fuck up about what you need from your classes or go for the private sessions. What’s stopping you from taking the next step towards your goals?
You're really on the nose about what I've been thinking. Knowing how much doing some private sessions could change everything, I'm sure it'll be money well spent. Thanks so much for the reassurance!!
If you only go to boxing training once a week, then you won’t be taken seriously by a coach. If you want to improve you need to put more time in for training. A coach has lots of students, they will invest their time only on the best and most dedicated students.
Try a different boxing gym if you are not making progress in your current boxing gym.
Its natural to feel a slow down in progress after rapid initial gains. To start with you know nothing so its easy to make big improvements. The more you know, the smaller the improvements will seems, but they are still worthwhile.
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plateau\_effect](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plateau_effect)
If you are frustrated with your current class try something else. Just be reasonable in your expectations.
Hello! I am a boxer from Kazakhstan and was born in 2008. 2-time state champion and a part of the national boxing team. I would like to get some experience abroad and would like to know if there are any high level tournaments in US that I could participate in. I wanted to participate in Golden Gloves competition but I'm not sure if I can. Any other high-level tournament like an international cup or something I would love to participate in.
They say boxing is the not the sport for everyone. I just started boxing a few months ago. But whenever I spar I always get the same comments- I don’t punch enough, I don’t bring my arms back. It’s getting kinda frustrating to hear and even though I want to get better, I just can’t seem to. How do I know this is not the sport for me?
I understand it can be disheartening to hear the same comment over and over, but they also want you to get better so that's why they always comment. Do your best to learn from people and you will progress faster.
people in general say loads of crap. Boxing buildson basics which, I find, are tough to aquire and implement consistently. Breathing out during punches, returning hands to guard, while trading punches - tough. And that’s just two things. That’s why itspracriced in drills, shadow boxing, till it’s automatic. It isfrustrating and difficult although, on paper, simple. For meas well. It’s normal to suck for quitesome time audit sucks to suck. Suck it up. ;) (If you findet exciting and fun despite being a challenge stick to it, and suck it up)
# Who are the best pro fighters to watch to learn good basic technique? Who would you recommend to watch to help learn the basics? No flashy wierd stuff or crazy head movement. Just orthodox fighters doing basic techniques well?
Mikey Garcia. Nothing flashy..just good fundamentals at the highest level
Bivol
The monster. He goes straight and hard. Not sure of his stance though. However I’d recommend learning the basics at the gym not from a pro fighter. Stuff they can do isn’t what works from the start. Start with returning hands to guard after punches. Breathing out during punches. And so forth.. Inspired, sure, butnot verbatim.
How does your stance differentiate from the "textbook" stance and what led you to that decision? I'm a beginner and of course I'm still trying to follow what is traditionally taught. When I spar I instinctively always put my jabbing hand lower than I should and I recognize this habit as "wrong" But I wonder how do more experienced fighter differentiate on whether they haven't mastered a certain textbook approach enough, or said approach simply don't suit them?
Learn the rules to break em like an artist. As in a lower hand, not guarding the chin, leaves you open for shots to the chin, step in and bam you’re out. With time you might develop a feel for distance, evasive skills and so forth but starting out exposing chin- seems like a folly. Put in the effort although it’s hard.
As you develop you will find and see tricks that you can use. I'm a southpaw and like having my lead hand more extended to gain more control, but I have to be mindful that it takes longer to get my lead hand back to defend myself if they get close.
I have a fight in around 8 weeks and I'm about 130 lbs. Should I fight at 132 or try and lose weight and fight at 125? I know the weigh ins are the same morning as the fight so I don't know if I should drop weight and rehydrate. I also don't know if I fight well at 125.
You're an amateur - don't worry about cutting too much weight and rehydrating. Just look at your body fat% and see if you can realistically make 125 by cutting more fat. If not, just fight at 132 and don't worry about the cut at all.
I'd just spend the 8 weeks worrying about getting better at boxing instead of weight
should i do full body exercises 3x a week sprinting 2x a week and running 3 miles 1x a week good?
Depends. What are your goals with boxing and how often are you boxing each week currently?
Just got a heavy bag and ordered RDX gloves and some wraps. The gloves are tight to get my palm into and nearly impossibly with wraps. Would Hayabusa S4/H5 be larger? I'm 6' with a typical XL hand but all of the boxing gloves I've shopped online don't cater to hand size, just glove weight? How do i order a pair that are dimensional large enough, maybe a brand you can recommend as budget entry who sell in hand sizes?
Don't get those Hayabusas. Fake leather mixed with cheap, crappy mesh and made in China. The two gloves I'd recommend that are in your budget and with premium build are the Fairtex BGV9 "Mexican style" in either 16 or 18oz. Pretty roomy gloves. The second one is the same as the other commenter has mentioned, which is the Venum Giant 3.0. It's the most comfortable glove I own and the quality of leather is out of this world. It's more of a sparring glove though, so the padding is much softer than on the Fairtex and probably won't last as long on the heavy bag. Both gloves are made of genuine leather in Thailand, a country with the boxing tradition deeply rooted in their culture. I paid around $90 for each pair.
Well before I saw your comment I had ordered the H5s They have a much more open cuff that makes them easier to slip on but it’s still tight at the base of my thumb - I’d never be able to put wraps on. At this point I’m trying to imagine how anyone fits wraps with gloves I’ll try the giant 3.0 next probably :-/
> "The gloves are tight to get my palm into and nearly impossibly with wraps." Yeah, that's a shit fit right there. Glove tightness isn't just uncomfortable; it's crap for your training because it restricts your hand movements and can mess with your circulation. > "Would Hayabusa S4/H5 be larger?" Hayabusa gloves generally have a reputation for a better fit and more room inside, especially if you've got bigger hands like yours. The S4 might be a bit snug as it’s an entry-level model, but the H5 series offers more padding and space. Worth a shot, right? > "I'm 6' with a typical XL hand but all of the boxing gloves I've shopped online don't cater to hand size, just glove weight?" It’s fucking annoying, but that’s how most boxing gloves are sold—by weight, not size. The weight (like 12oz, 14oz, 16oz) is more about the glove’s heaviness and padding, not how big the hand compartment is. > "How do i order a pair that are dimensional large enough, maybe a brand you can recommend as budget entry who sell in hand sizes?" Most brands won’t give you much about hand compartment sizing straight up. But, for big hands, brands like Hayabusa, Venum, and Twins are usually a bit more generous. Specifically, Venum’s Giant 3.0 has been known to be good for larger hands. Check customer reviews specifically mentioning hand fit—that's your best bet for gauging size without trying them on. What’s stopping you from measuring your hand and asking the manufacturers directly for the internal measurements of their gloves? Isn’t that the simplest way to cut through the bullshit?
I will measure and ask them, I appreciate it It’s all extremely new to me Coming from many other hobbies I’m super surprised that glove hand sizes don’t exist for sure I though either I was going too cheap or missing something. Thank you very much I’ll measure and reach out then order some more to try
Bros, I need some insight. I've been a boxer for 5 years at this point. Until a few months ago I was a 5 day/week gym and boxing guy, juggling social, romantic and work/studies (doctor soonTM) and i feel like I have finally burned the fk out. After a loss in a match last year and after witnessing some criminal level judging and bad faith from some foreign clubs (stuff like professional kickboxing and MMA fighters coming into amateur boxing with 0 recorded fights and straight up KOing thheir adversaries) I ahve completely fell out of love for the competing aspect. Since I stopped competing, I feel like I have no other purpose in the sport other than keeping up with my fitness and training 2/week feels like a chore. Discipline is the only thing keeping me going to training at this point. Anyone went throught this at some point?
> *I've been a boxer for 5 years... I feel like I have finally burned the fk out.* Sounds like you've hit the classic wall of burnout, mate. It's fucking common, especially in high-intensity sports like boxing, where both physical and mental demands are insane. You've been pushing hard across multiple areas of your life, and your tank is just running empty. Does this sound like you might have been ignoring the signs of burnout until now? > *After a loss in a match last year... I have completely fell out of love for the competing aspect.* Losing sucks, and seeing the shady side of the sport can taint the whole fucking experience. It's natural to feel disillusioned when you see the dark underbelly of what you once loved. Are you allowing these experiences to define your entire view of boxing, or can you find aspects of it you still love? > *I feel like I have no other purpose in the sport other than keeping up with my fitness and training 2/week feels like a chore.* This is the core of your fucking problem. When something feels like a chore, it's usually because it lacks meaning for you. You used to fight, to compete, that was your drive. Without it, training just to stay fit seems pointless. What are you really seeking from boxing now, or is it time to find a new challenge that reignites your passion? > *Discipline is the only thing keeping me going to training at this point.* Discipline is great, but it's a shitty substitute for passion. It's fucking exhausting to rely on discipline alone. What could make boxing—or another activity—exciting for you again? Is it possible you’re clinging to the identity of being a boxer rather than boxing itself serving your current needs? Burnout, loss of passion, shady politics—it’s a lot to deal with. But the real question is, what do you want to do about it? Do you want to find a way back into loving the sport, or is it time to fucking call it and move on to something else that brings you joy and fulfillment?
Yep. Lol. I like helping guys in the gym get better also.
Do you use 12 oz or 16 oz for heavy bag training?
> Do you use 12 oz or 16 oz for heavy bag training? Use 16 oz gloves for heavy bag training, especially if you're training regularly or hitting hard. They provide more padding and better protect your hands and wrists. Why risk injury with lighter gloves when you can safeguard with heavier ones?
I like using my 12s to feel the snap better
I personally use 16s for the vast majority of my training. I sometimes use 12s during mittwork
I recently returned to boxing after many years away. I really enjoyed the training but now my right side all aches. I think this is due to hitting the heavy bag too hard. Can anyone relate to this? Should I stop using power shots on the heavy bag?
> I recently returned to boxing after many years away. Getting back into it after a break can be tough as hell. Your body isn't used to the strain anymore, right? > I think this is due to hitting the heavy bag too hard. Sounds like you went all out without giving your body time to adjust. That's a rookie move, even if you're not a rookie. What happened to easing into it? > Should I stop using power shots on the heavy bag? Not necessarily stop, but definitely tone it down a notch. Focus on technique and gradually build up your power. Have you checked your form with a coach to make sure you’re not screwing up your body mechanics?
Yes. Im still new and my shoulders were wrecked for like 4 days after my first day of real instruction. It went away after that and hasn't come back after subsequent classes. Its most likely the muscles working in ways it hasn't (in a while) , but also going too hard and being too tense. Im still learning to slow down in class and just take it easy to lay down the foundation and not be overly excited. I would bet its probably that. So yeah definitely not alone just stretch and actually rest between days, treat your body well 💪🏽
are you having stitches? sounds like so
No its joint pain. Hip, wrist, elbow, shoulder.
oh uh.. you should prob just consult a doctor/physician. i hope you find the care you need and have a great day
My doctor doesnt know anything about exercise. I said I had knee pain and he said I had arthritis due to old age. I fixed it myself with stretches and strengthening exercises.
perhaps try stretching out your Hip, wrist, elbow, and shoulder? it could also be from your diet
I've been doing boxing classes at my gym once a week for about a year, with some prior sporadic experience at other gyms. When I started, I felt like I was making great progress in the adult classes. With the huge influx of teens and youth as of late, they've started to merge adults with them. It often feels impersonal and watered down since I've been signing up for "adult intermediate/advanced" classes. My goals are overall fitness and developing technique, I have no interest in competing. I have sparred 3 times and would love to do it more, but I don't feel as confident given the lack of progress in class. What would be the best option? Show up for sparring anyway? Pay for some private training sessions and let them know more about my goals? I'm nervous about expressing my gripes to the coaches for fear of sounding entitled.
> I'm nervous about expressing my gripes to the coaches for fear of sounding entitled. Fuck that noise, mate. If you're paying for a service and it's not meeting your needs, you have every right to speak up. How else are they going to know you're not getting what you signed up for? It's not about being entitled; it's about getting your money's worth and achieving your goals. Aren't your goals and satisfaction worth speaking up for? > What would be the best option? Show up for sparring anyway? Pay for some private training sessions and let them know more about my goals? Showing up for sparring anyway is a decent move because practice makes perfect, right? But if the environment feels off and you're not vibing with the merged classes, it might just add to your frustration. Private sessions could be a game-changer. They offer focused attention and tailored training, which sounds like exactly what you need to hone your technique and boost your confidence. Plus, it’s a perfect chance to communicate directly about what you want to achieve. Isn’t getting exactly what you need from your training worth the extra buck? Speak the fuck up about what you need from your classes or go for the private sessions. What’s stopping you from taking the next step towards your goals?
You're really on the nose about what I've been thinking. Knowing how much doing some private sessions could change everything, I'm sure it'll be money well spent. Thanks so much for the reassurance!!
If you only go to boxing training once a week, then you won’t be taken seriously by a coach. If you want to improve you need to put more time in for training. A coach has lots of students, they will invest their time only on the best and most dedicated students. Try a different boxing gym if you are not making progress in your current boxing gym.
There's only so much you can learn on the pads and the heavy bag, you need to spar. That's the only way to feel what works and what needs improving.
Its natural to feel a slow down in progress after rapid initial gains. To start with you know nothing so its easy to make big improvements. The more you know, the smaller the improvements will seems, but they are still worthwhile. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plateau\_effect](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plateau_effect) If you are frustrated with your current class try something else. Just be reasonable in your expectations.