Boxing

midnight rain · 04-06-2012, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freebase Dali

I messed around with it for a couple years at the Y with a cousin and some locals. Had an unofficial trainer for a few months. Never actually joined a real gym. But I think I would recommend an actual boxing gym with an actual trainer if you're serious about doing it for more than a hobby or just messing around here and there. If you're not really into it, I think it won't really play out the way you may want it to.

If you're willing to put in the work, you may as well join a gym. I wasn't, and I wish I had.
As far as what to expect... well... no matter how serious it is, I'd say to just take your ego out of it and treat it like any other sport. The less it is about proving yourself, the more you'll learn about actually taking yourself out of the equation and implementing technique. The goal is to learn a skill. You just have to accept that and give yourself over to the learning, and not the emotional urges.
I found that part the hardest to try and overcome when sparring. I'd forget what I'd learned because I just wanted to win, or I'd become angry because I wasn't winning, and all my sh*t would go out the door.
Overall, in any physical contest, expect competition. But don't feel threatened by it. It's simply motivation to become better, no matter what it is you're doing. And that is what you should embrace, whether your trainer tells you that or not.

Good post. I know part of why I want to take up boxing is a way of channeling this aggression I've built up over the years. Obviously this isn't a good mindset to go in with if I actually want to do well. Getting emotional, you'll let your guard down, forget the techniques, and ultimately end up on the ground. I couldn't say whether I'm serious or not until I've put a good amount of time into it, but the gym my brother goes to for it has trainers who work with NFL Combine players, so I think they have an idea of what they're doing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Croatian Masochist

Boxing is ok as a sport, but if you're looking at something more beneficial and fun, try Muay Thai or some other variation of basic kickboxing. Tae Kwon Do is also very fun (although difficult), but it's hard to find an authentic teacher sometimes.
Edit: I'm very biased because this my personal favourite, but Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is very interesting, and legitimately helpful if you're in some 1 on 1 bar fight.

I'm still a bit skeptical about how well martial arts translates to the streets, it seems to be becoming more obsolete over time. Also, it seems easier to half ass martial arts without putting in the effort (if you have a bad trainer), while boxing really takes a toll on you and you have to put forward 100%.

Maybe you could clarify what you mean by more beneficial. I'd think if a boxer and martial artist went toe to toe, the boxer would come out on top most of the time.

I wouldn't rule out a hybrid of the two though.

Croatian Masochist · 04-06-2012, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuna

I'm still a bit skeptical about how well martial arts translates to the streets, it seems to be becoming more obsolete over time. Also, it seems easier to half ass martial arts without putting in the effort (if you have a bad trainer), while boxing really takes a toll on you and you have to put forward 100%.

Maybe you could clarify what you mean by more beneficial. I'd think if a boxer and martial artist went toe to toe, the boxer would come out on top most of the time.

I wouldn't rule out a hybrid of the two though.

Early UFC/Mixed Martial Arts tournaments sort of ruled out boxing as a top contender for 'most effective martial art'. I think it was mostly the JUdo and Jiu-jitsu guys who won, and sometimes some Muay Thai guys/American wrestlers.

My definition of beneficial was self-defense. Street-wise, Judo is probably the best option, I've heard of Judoka throwing around muggers by their dumb@ss hoodies a lot. Seems legit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howard the Duck

how is Tae Kwon Do "difficult", it's not much different than karate

i have a green belt in TKD

i took Muay Thai as well, but not the original form, which is too masochistic even for me

you have to rub this abrasive tree bark on your shins in order to lose all feeling there

What's TKD like? I've been trying it via a few friends that took classes, but it seems very, very technical and requires a lot of precision and flexibility. Both of which I don't have.

Howard the Duck · 04-06-2012, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Croatian Masochist

What's TKD like? I've been trying it via a few friends that took classes, but it seems very, very technical and requires a lot of precision and flexibility. Both of which I don't have.

yes, there are a lot of callisthenic exercises - i did it when i was young so no problems, but i think if you stretch properly before the callisthenics, it shouldn't be much of a problem

yes, you have to focus your entire strength at the point of contact

if you want "difficult", try Capoeira

i took that as well, it was like gymnastics

Croatian Masochist · 04-06-2012, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howard the Duck

yes, there are a lot of callisthenic exercises - i did it when i was young so no problems, but i think if you stretch properly before the callisthenics, it shouldn't be much of a problem

yes, you have to focus your entire strength at the point of contact

if you want "difficult", try Capoeira

i took that as well, it was like gymnastics

Capoeira is an interesting one. That's the one the Brazilian slaves created, whilst disguising it as dancing, isn't it?

How did you find a trainer for that? I'm thinking of trying to build a striking base in Tae Kwon Do or Capoeria, to get my leg dexterity up.

ugh, i've half over-taken this thread.

Howard the Duck · 04-07-2012, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Croatian Masochist

Capoeira is an interesting one. That's the one the Brazilian slaves created, whilst disguising it as dancing, isn't it?

How did you find a trainer for that? I'm thinking of trying to build a striking base in Tae Kwon Do or Capoeria, to get my leg dexterity up.

ugh, i've half over-taken this thread.

i found a Capoeira class in a local gym

he was trained in Brazil and on graduation, the entire class was supposed to sit for some medal of proficiency in Capoeira in Rio De Janeiro (you actually only get a strand of coloured rope to tie around your waist) - i never made it that far

take note i'm in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, though

i really dunno about your neck of the woods

chipper · 07-21-2012, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Croatian Masochist

What's TKD like? I've been trying it via a few friends that took classes, but it seems very, very technical and requires a lot of precision and flexibility. Both of which I don't have.

yes, it's very technical and precise. it's a sport designed to be executed and used as a sport. flexibility is needed because of the different types of kicks. if you want to hit those jumping turning longs, you need to do that damn split. so yes, you need to be flexible.

definitely not for streetfighting.