Boxing Fight Training

There are several different types of workouts one can do while training for the sport of boxing, including stamina, speed and power training. However, according to Helium.com, the most important component is fight training. This type of training is geared toward the specific movements required to actually fight in boxing, instead of merely the conditioning necessary to be in shape.

  1. History

    • According to the history of boxing at the University of Florida's website, John Sholto Douglas, Scottish nobleman, developed the rules for what is known as modern boxing. Although bare-knuckle and other variants of boxing existed before his time, the sport became homogenized into a core set of rules during his time, and fighters were able to develop strategies catered to the specific three-minute matches and gloved fights. This influenced the type of training men endured to become better fighters.

    Types

    • There are two main types of fight training for boxers: sparring and shadow boxing. Sparring is fighting with another training boxer, fully padded, while shadow boxing is practicing your moves against your own shadow. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

    Shadow Boxing

    • Shadow boxing may look silly, but it actually helps boxers in a number of ways. Primarily, being able to see how you punch and move can help you perfect your form, much like a mirror. Similarly, reacting to your own movements trains the eye to react with quick reflexes, a must for serious boxers facing trained opponents. Shadowboxing can also offer a good cardio workout. One disadvantage of shadow boxing is that it does not simulate the unpredictability of facing a real fighter with a style different from your own.

    Sparring

    • The benefits of sparring may be more evident than shadowboxing. Sparring allows you to fight a real opponent in a real ring, closely simulating a real match. You are able to experience an opponent who may have a different style than you. Sparring with many opponents offers the chance to fight with opponents of varying builds and statures. However, sparring can end in an injury that may turn some away from it, especially before a big match.

    Considerations

    • A well-rounded boxer who is serious about being a contender will participate in as many boxing training routines as possible. Limiting yourself to one or two types of training will leave you weak in some areas, even if others are stronger.