Expert: Jack Rose - 3/27/2009

Question
QUESTION: i am 36 years old i've trained for boxing off and on for
3-5 years 1 what i need to do to be able to compete in amature boxing. 2 where would i obtain the boxing schedule for the events in losangeles california. 3 will there be enough bouts for me to compete in befor i go professional. 4 how many amature fights should i obtain befor going proffesional 5 do i have to have a coach with me or can one be provide at thee event. 6 in regaurds to number 5 how many people do i have to have in my corner at my professinal compettion can they be provided. 7 what is the type of recommended mouth piece. please email me at my yahoo account at your ealiest conience asap 8 is there anything i leaving out like wher to find a promoter anything that will shine some light in my direction thank you. home phone

ANSWER: Michael,

You are actually over the age limit for amateur boxing. The limit is 34. You could still turn pro but you would definitely be at a disadvantage with no amateur experience but it has been done. If you decide to do it I would get as much sparring as I could before you fight. Since I am on the east coast I would suggest emailing someone that knows those specific schedules. Go to usaboxing.org and shoot an email.
You have to have your own coaches in the pros.

Get a mouthpiece from ringside.com  as they are made for boxing.

good luck

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

QUESTION: mr. rose i was just sending you another email and for some reason it just diappeared i'd like to thank you for your help it reall helped me. i have a couple more questions where do i and my coaches obtain our licenses so that i will be able to box proffessionaly. and do my coahes have to get a seperate license to be a cut man? am i missing any licenses that i need or my coaches. also how many maxium fights should my oppenet have befor i accept the fight and is there ah reason i shouldn'nt fight another fighter who's compared to another say 500.00 fighter copared to another at 10,000.00 can you think of anything even if i'ts small i'm going to be a professional fighter i need to know what i'm up against. my last question is how do i wrap my hands professionally like oscar delahoya how much tape and gauze am i aloud to use?

Answer
Michael,

You will need to go to your state's athletic commission and ask for the forms for boxing licenses for boxers and cornermen. Most states have a website where you can just download the forms from the site and fill them out and send them in. I would suggest googling your state followed by "athletic commission". Each state has some different rules so you will need to read the forms thoroughly.

I could write you a book on why you should or shouldn't fight a certain guy. But I would have to see you fight first to say what direction you need to go in.
I can tell you that without any amateur experience and your age you will immediately be labeled an "opponent" by the industry. This means you will get fights against prospects thinking they will use you to pad their record. This is not to say you are an "opponent" but this is how they will perceive you until you prove them wrong. Promoters have matchmakers and once your on their list you can get fights. You will have to approach them and sell yourself or they would have to see you fight.

I could not tell you how to wrap your hands without showing you. It usually takes 3 or 4 rolls of guaze per hand and the tape goes over the back of the hand and the wrist. Do not put tape on the knuckles, it is illegal.


The fights you take should be based upon what your goal is. Some guys know they are an opponent, some guys are journeyman and others are serious contenders. Contenders get soft opponents until they get about 20-0. Journeyman get a lot of respect and make good money but take a lot of punishment and would have a record like 12-8. An opponent usually has a record like 5-13. They can make decent money because they fight new prospects to pad their record but they take a lot of shots and run the risk of getting suspended if they get hit too much or knocked out a lot.
Just remember your long term health is at stake whatever you do.

good luck