Expert: Alan Kahn - 6/8/2008

Question
I hear a lot of talk about age and when it is too late. I am 28 and on june 14th fight my first amatuer bout. i really believe i am getting into the best shape of my life. i have always been a freak when it comes to strength and size. I am 6 foot and a solid 275 pounds. many guys wont even sparr with me. my trainers don't blame them. not to toot my own horn, but i feel there are exceptions to the rule when it comes to age. i am very fast too. i see the future as follows: i will fight atlest 8 amatuer bouts in the next 2 years... or whatever it takes. maybe golden gloves championship. then at around age 30 to 31 i'll go pro. with around 4 fights a year i can get in close to 20 fights before i get a title shot near age 34. you see. i look at it as a real possibility. it bugs me to hear all these people say it is too late to be a boxer unless you started in your teens. the truth is, i began sparring at age 19, played division 1 football, semipro ball, and trained like an animal. my sister got me back into fighting. so.... tell me if i'm delusional. is my plan so far out of whack? are there exceptions to this rule? if i am physically and naturally talented? i did some research and found out ernie shavers started as late as 22. perhaps i can make history. remember the name Michael Brandon Heath.
i appreciate your time to hear me out and share with me your opinion.

Answer
Hello Michael,

The "age to start boxing" is an interesting question which is often discussed. You have to be "8" to start your amatuer career, but there is no age limit on starting a professional career. You can read about that here.
http://www.barrysboxingcenter.com/faq.htm#box2
and read the amatuer rules here at USABOXING.org
http://www.usaboxing.org/10.htm

USABOXING is a key source to find local and sanctioned boxing sources in your area.

Many people will have different opinions on this, for 28 IS older than most people START working on a professional boxing career, but "aging" is not what it used to be, particularly in a dedicated, disciplined and well trained person. To be philosophical, forget about the "destination" of being a PRO for a monment and think about the "journey". The journey is the Key, because if you don't make the journey, you will have NEVER even worked on your dream. Many men my age sit around and lament the journeys to dreams they never took. Obviously they never reached their "dream", - because they never dared the journey. Maybe you are like me - I'd rather try and fail then never try at all. Many may tell you that you won't make it. Let's say you give it your best shot - and you don't make it. At that point, YOU will know that you tried, and your failure is NOT because you listened to the naysayers, not because you gave up before you tried. I'd rather give it a shot and fail miserably then give up because someone else had the opinion that I was too old. The only opinion that counts is YOURS. If YOU believe in yourself, and think you can make it, or even think you can stand the journey, take it. Let no one step on your dreams. Others have enough to do talking themselves out of their own journeys. Let them go their way, Mike. YOU can take "the road not taken"
http://www.bartleby.com/119/1.html

Glove up, man, and enjoy the trip. Good luck and train safely.

Alan Kahn
author, The Speed Bag Bible