Expert: Melanie Ley - 3/1/2010

Question
hey, im a 17 year old amateur boxer with 2 bouts so far, i feel my coach is holding back as far as who im fighting and how often im fighting (been registered since april of last year) and i met an unattached fighter who said he is basically the person who finds himself fights and all of that. i would like to know how i could become unattached and what exactly am i getting myself into if i do that?

Answer
You are much better off with a coach who can train you and work your corner.  If there is another gym in your area, you could go there and if you are not already registered for this year, you can register with the new gym.  If you registered with your old coach for 2010 and move to another coach you would be announced as unattached when you compete.  All "unattached" means is that you are not registered as competing for a USA Boxing registered club/gym. In my opinion, making your own matches is not a good idea.  You have to have a registered and certified coach work your corner in any sanctioned amateur boxing event.