Expert: Jack Rose - 12/22/2008

Question
please excuse me,
      i am 17 years old 150 pounds and have always been very interested in boxing since i was very young because of my father. i only joined a gym in my area around 3 months ago because of lack of finances. I've been training as if i was boxing since 14. i have built up nice, large shoulders not being built very large overall because i didn't lift that much weights. my hand speed is pretty quick and my punch power is very high. i go to a pretty small gym and theres only one other kid that 18 that gives me a hard time in the ring, he wants to go pro one day but it feels like i have so much more potential since a lot of what i know i learned myself or my father taught me. i just want to know the steps i should take to work myself to be a pro fighter by the time I'm 21. i am very serious and would appreciate if you were to answer me.Thank you.

Answer
Dallas,
 

If you want a chance at making good money early as a pro it is important that you spend the next 4 years trying to win one or more national golden gloves titles or get on the next Olympic team.

First you need to win your regional which will advance you to the nationals. To win a regional you need to be on your game. You need a well rounded fight game. The most important aspect is your conditioning.
The open division bouts usually go the distance and many times the difference is conditioning. Try to always win the first round of every fight, they are going back to 3 - 3 minute rounds and if it's close, it's easier to win the first and last than it is to win the last two in a row. Your defense needs to be top notch as there will be a lot of action. Your jab will be key. If you don't keep it busy it will be hard for you to win unless you are fighting a poorly skilled opponent which is not likely in the final of a regional.

good luck,


Jackson