How to Become a Good Boxer

Boxing is both physically and mentally draining. It's a sport that requires you to use every muscle group in your body, and subject yourself to very real pain. In order to become better at boxing, you'll need to do both cardio workouts, as well as strength training exercises. You'll also have to become acquainted with boxing moves, and learn how to take a punch. The bottom line is this: in order to get better at boxing, you must practice, practice, practice.

Things You'll Need

  • Boxing gloves
  • Boxing hand wraps (tape)
  • Mouth guard
  • Boxing helmet
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Instructions

  1. Exercising

    • 1

      Join a boxing gym. These gyms vary slightly from standard gyms because they have equipment specifically to help boxers train, including boxing rings, punching bags, jump ropes and medicine balls.

    • 2

      Ride an exercise bike for five minutes, and then stretch. Execute the assisted reverse chest stretch by standing a few feet away from a table with your back turned to it. Bend back to the table, and put your palms on it for support. Squat down until your glutes are about 1 foot from the floor.

    • 3

      Execute the rotating stomach stretch by lying face down on the ground. Push yourself up with your arms, but keep your hips and legs on the ground. Turn as far as you can to one side while keeping both of your palms flat on the ground.

    • 4

      Execute the Achilles stretch by placing the ball of your foot onto a cornered ledge (such as a step). Lean forward while keeping your foot in place.

    • 5

      Do three sets of sit-ups, with 25 reps per set. After you build your core, begin doing sit-ups with a medicine ball or free weight.

    • 6

      Jump rope for five minutes, and then follow that up with a dumbbell exercise, such as bicep curls or lateral raises.

    • 7

      Practice on a large punching bag for five minutes, and then cool down with a walk on a treadmill, or a slow ride on an exercise bike.

    Footwork

    • 8

      Begin by standing in the orthodox stance. To do this, keep your knees bent and your legs shoulder width apart. Step your weak foot back (the foot opposite of your main hand), and keep it at a 45 degree outward angle (pointing away from you). Keep your elbows in, and your chin down. Put your weaker hand up by your face to help block punches, and put your strong hand by your side.

    • 9

      Practice moving laterally. Do this by moving to the right, press from the ball of your left heel, and then inch your right foot slightly to the right. This move is specifically designed for dodging opponents' punches.

    • 10

      Practice pivoting. This involves keeping the heel of one foot in place, and then turning your body around in a circular motion. Practice moving in a 360 degree motion to better increase your pivoting skills.

    • 11

      Move forward by pressing off the heel of your back foot and sliding your front foot forward. Move backward by pressing off the heel of your front foot and sliding your back foot backward.

    Practicing

    • 12

      Learn the three basic punches: the uppercut, the jab and the hook. The uppercut is a punch that starts low, and moves upward. The jab is a punch that goes straight forward from your short hand (the blocking hand). The hook is a punch that comes from the side (the hand that's further back).

    • 13

      Learn punch combinations. There are many different combinations, but these combo moves that help you beat down your opponent and gain an advantage. One example is the one-two combination which involves jabbing your partner with one hand, and then hooking him with your other hand.

    • 14

      Spar with a partner. Sparring is essentially practice boxing. You get in the ring with someone and punch him like you would in a real boxing match. Wear your head gear, mouth guard and boxing gloves each time you spar. Start slowly and get faster as you increase your skill.

    • 15

      Exercise to stay fit and improve your stamina, practice your moves on your own or with a punching bag, and spar with a partner on a regular basis. The more practice you put in, the better boxer you will become.