Expert: Jack Rose - 4/4/2007

Question
Mr. Rose,

 I just moved into Tampa, FL.  I was wondering if you know of a good gym or heard of any good boxers from around the area.  I see that Winky Wright has a gym close by, however I am not sure if going into a big gym like that would be beneficial.  I don't know if I would get a lot of good training.  I am pretty sure that they have a lot of members seeing as how a title holder trains there.  I did not want to go to a gym to make friends.  I want to learn and grow in the sport.  I'm not sure if I am good enough to go pro, but I do think that just maybe the golden gloves is in reach.  I was just hoping that maybe you might have some advice or maybe even know a place.
    I am 6'3 and 194lbs.  However my fighting weight is 183lbs, and I want to drop to 175 or even 165.  I am currently in the Air Force.  I went to Korea this past year and met a few boxers, one of which was a golden gloves winner.  Every few months or so they would have smokers.  I enrolled in my first bout and won with a KO, 0:18 in the third round.  I immediately became addicted.  What I thought to be an incomplete version of martial art was more vast than I could comprehend.  After that, I became obssessed, practicing everyday.  I went into my second bout a few months down the road.  He was nothing like my first match.  He hit a lot harder and a lot more deceptive.  He was a complete brawler.  He stumbled over himself several times throughout the bout.  I lost by TKO.  That was the highlight of my career so far.  I loved it.  I learned so much from that loss.  I trained harder and smarter this time.  I learned how to fight against a brawler.  My coach, the golden gloves winner said that being at this level of sport, I am most likely not going to fight boxers, just brawlers.  Ecspecially in Korea where there's no real trainers.  I trained and a few months later had another bout.  Once again it was against a brawler and once again he outweighed me by a good 23 lbs., like the last two.  However, this time was different.  I knew how to fight.  I won by TKO in the second.  Once again the passion grew.  I realized that that's the true passion for me in boxing.  Training harder than ever and finding a way to defeat your opponent.  That is when I found the "sweet science", and it is a science.  I can't tell you how excited I am about boxing.
    I was hoping to gain any opinions or advice.  I eagerly await your reply.  Thank you very much.

Answer
Hi Josh,    Great Story... and you have been bitten by the bug. This is the same bug I was bit by in 1984 and have been doomed every since. Some guys dig it and others don't. You have to be of unique personality and tons of determination to dive into this sport. Josh, you need to get into a golden gloves gym. Go to goldenglovesofamerica.com and click "franchises" on the left. Find a gym near you. You will get good training at a golden gloves. It doesn't matter what level you are, GG is there for this reason, anyone and everyone are welcome. There are advanced boxers and there are novice and everything in between. GG is a charity, so it's free. There is no way you should be fighting or even just sparing anyone that has 23 pounds on you. If anyone suggests that again, decline and say they have too much weight on you. There should never be more than 10 LBS difference in sparing....and in fighting, you will be almost the same.
You didnt say what kind of weight your 194 was. If you are lean, I do not suggest going any lower than 175 and that may even be a struggle if you have a lot of lean muscle, also if your bone structure is big you should stay at 183. If it is medium or small you can shoot for 175 or 165. This is all assuming your are lean. If you have excess fat then getting down to 175 or 165 should not be a problem. But again, if your lean your body will tell you if your going too low because it will become very difficult to lose weight at a certain point...if you try and go beyond that point, you will be weak..you'll get tired quick and have no power. This is because your body is having to work too hard to maintain it's natural weight.
On your own time, I would suggest getting your roadwork in. Boxing is 80% conditioning. If you get that taken care of it will make your trainers job a lot easier and he can focus on your fighting skills. Most amateur bouts are won by the best conditioned athlete in the last round.
At golden gloves you will be able to register as an amateur boxer and the fights will be made for you by your trainer. You will fight novice until you have 15 fights and then you must go open. Open is intermediate and advanced fighters. You could conceivably fight a guy who has 200 fights although your trainer will make the call. It also means you can fight in the national tournament, olympics and PAL championships, USA and Golden Gloves.

It sounds like you have strong desire for boxing which will benefit you during your training. The hardest part of training is the roadwork and conditioning. But it sounds like you love doing it which is the biggest battle already licked. So keep it up I hope to see you at a tournament at some point taking the winners trophy. Let me know if I can help further.
Thanks for the question