Expert: Jack Rose - 12/2/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi, it's me again.

I've been thinking this over for a while now and after asking permission from my mom, decided to compete. I'm currently 15 years old and my friend is going to by my trainer and he's 18.

The only problem we're facing is how to compete. I thought a gym was the answer but at this moment I can't afford to pay to go to a gym.

I already have some prior training and have already spared against other people who have gone to boxing gyms.
Can you tell me all the other possible ways that I can compete?

ANSWER: Santiago,

If you are in the states, you can fight "unattached". But you still have to register with USA boxing as an amateur boxer. So you need to contact USA boxing at usaboxing.org and ask them for the nearest LBC in your area and they will send you the paperwork. In order for your trainer to be able to work your corner he will also have to register as coach and have at least a level 1 certification. This involves attending a class. You can find this out through the same website.

If you are outside the USA the rules are different in every country so you would have to contact your local boxing authorities.

good luck,

Jackson

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yeah, I'm in the States. I live in Los Angeles, California.

what do you mean I can fight "unattached"?

Can you tell me what to do to contact USA Boxing to ask them for the nearest LBC in my area and to register as an amateur and for my friend to register as a trainer?

Answer
Santiago,

Your LBC (local boxing committee)handles all the amateur boxing in your area. I am including your LBC contact info at the bottom of the page. You need to email or call the number for your area and ask about local boxing gyms that are non-profit that you may train at. You need to try this first before trying to go out and fight on your own. You have to get sparring in the gym to really move up to the next level. After you have exhausted all your options you could ask if you can fight "unattached" which means you have no gym in your area and there is no way you can fight for a team. This is very hard to do because you won't have access to sparring or the same training that your opponents do.

Also ask the LBC what you need to do to register as an amateur boxer. You'll fill out a form and pay an annual fee. Your trainer has to do the same thing except he has to attend a clinic to become a certified trainer. After the clinic there is a written test he must pass.

There should be a ton of gyms in Cali.... so just ask the LBC when you call. The non profit gyms should be free so be sure to ask.

Here is your contact info:

California
California Border Association: San Diego and Imperial Counties in the State of California
California Border Association Contact: William Kuhn, Tel. 619-659-9450

Central California Association: Counties of Mariposa, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, Inyo, Mono, Kern, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Merced, San Joaquin, Claveras, Monterey, Stanislaus and Toulumne in the State of California
Central California Association Contact: Louis Jordan, 209-996-4024

Northern California Association: State of California north of Monterey, San Benito, Merced, Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Claveras, Toulumne and Mono Counties
Northern California Association Contact: Athlete Contact -Jules Sweaney, Tel 925-372-7152, email 2sweanys@comcast.net; Non-Athlete Contact – Candelario Lopez, Tel. 408-923-3580, email cnlopez1800@sbcglobal.net

Southern California Association: Counties of Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, Riverside and Santa Barbara in the State of California
Southern California Association Contact:  Richard Jones, Tel. 714-960-5915


good luck,
Jackson