Expert: Lian Shoemake - 8/11/2008

Question
Lian,
Thank you in advance for taking the time to answer my question.

My son is 14.  I have been coaching him at boxing,( my father boxed Golden Gloves and taught me some as a kid.

I was thinking of taking him to a USA gym near here. However, he is 14 and 5'9" and 150 pounds and I am concerned that he will be boxing with kids older than he is - up to 18.?.  Does USA match up by age or just by weight? If he is 14, and is boxing a 17 year old I am not sure that is fair, even if they have had the same number of fights.  A 17 year old is just more developed physically and mentally.  

How is the above handled? Should I get him private lessons and wait until he is 16?

Answer
Hi Henry,
Thanks for the question.

USA Boxing's Junior Olympic Program (for boxers age 8-16) has strict requirements for matching boxers. Your son would be matched only with boxers within his weight range and age range (essentially, within one year of his age up or down). Special attention is also paid to matching boxers with equal experience. The rules would prohibit your son from being matched with 16, 17, or 18 year-old boxers.


I hope this helps, Henry.
Thanks again for writing!

Regards,
Lian