Boxing/33-years-old and looking to box
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Question
Hello Mr. Rose. I'm 33 and have been fascinated with boxing my whole life. I've been thinking of joining a club and to possibly get in one amateur club fight just to say I did it.
My only issue is that I have a very white-collar job where presentations are the norm. I also have a large nose. I hope you can see where I'm getting at. What can I do to preserve my face so I don't look like I've joined Fight Club on the weekends.
Thanks!
Hank
Hi Hank,
Well, if you plan to fight pro there is less protective gear allowed than the amateurs. One piece of gear is the headgear which protects your face from headbutts, cuts and bruises not to mention cushions all blows to the head. The amateurs require you to wear the headgear as well as a protective cup for the groin area. If you do the weekend fight club thing that would mean turning pro. Once you except prize money in boxing you are considered pro even if you are not registered as a pro. Also you cannot go back to amateur once your classified as a pro. So, if you fight pro, you need to develop outstanding defense to protect your face. Because of your job, I would adapt the defensive style of holding your gloves together directly in front of your face and peaking over the top of the gloves. Mike Tyson used this style to win a world title. But there is lots of work to be done to develop the overall defense you will need to minimize facial bruises, bloody noses and fat lips. The fact is, no matter who you are or how good you are, you WILL get hit in the face. The difference is, the more experienced you are, the LESS you get hit in the face.
I would go into the gym and get a trainer for a few weeks. When he feels you are ready to spar, you can test out the nose during a sparring session with head gear on and see how it goes. I can just honestly tell you that your going to get hit in the face (and the nose) and it is going to bruise the next 3 or 4 days. It happens to us all.
If your in sales, your black eye will be an excellent conversation piece :) maybe snag a new client.
Good Luck,
Jackson
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Jack Rose
Expertise
I can answer any questions related to boxing and training. I can help anyone prepare for professional or amateur bouts. My trainer/boss of 24 years is in the Golden Gloves Hall of Fame and trained the heavyweight champion of the world. Holyfield, Roy Jones Jr., Bernard Taylor, Billy Bridges, Frankie Randall just to name a few of the boxers who have passed thru the Southerns and/or trained at our gym.
Experience
I have been in the sport of boxing since 1984. I started as a boxer and advanced quickly. I was lucky enough to have some of the best sparring in the country with 3 top ten pros in my very gym. I am fortunate enough to live near one of the better boxing programs in the country. We have cultivated our facility into the largest Amateur Boxing Gym in the country. In the mid 90's I became a trainer for Golden Gloves. I train amateur and pro fighters. I have worked in many corners at USA and Golden Glove tournaments. I have worked corners in pro bouts on HBO and ESPN cards. My friend, boss and coach is the former President of Golden Gloves and I trained under his tutelage.
Organizations
I am a certified Golden Gloves/USA Boxing Coach. I am also a licensed to work pro bouts in several states.
Education/Credentials
College, Pro Licenses, USA Boxing Certified, Certified Judge/Referee, Certified Fitness Trainer
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