Expert: Lian Shoemake - 10/26/2004

Question
I'm a sports student in my final year and doing my research project on the pschology behind why someone becomes a boxer.  Do you know of any good books/ websites that could help me with my research?  And why did you become a boxing official rather than a boxer?

any info. will be useful and appreciated, thanks

Answer
Hi Louise,

Thanks for the question.
I'm not aware of any books that deal with the psychology of why people choose to box in general. There are some good biographies that that deal with that question on an individual basis, but that seems much narrower in scope than the desired goal of your research. I would actually recommend speaking directly to boxers themselves, both professional and amateurs. You might even focus on amateurs, since they are at the begining of their careers and may be able to articulate their rationale with a fresher perspective. The sport has changed a bit , and athletes may be getting into it now for  different reasons than they did years ago. If you're more interested in professionals, you can get in touch with them either through their promoters or managers, or directly if there is a professional boxing gym in your area.

For amateurs, you can go to www.usaboxing.org, follow the links to Membership, find your geographical area and get in touch with the contact person listed. He or she can tell you where registered amateur boxing gyms are in that area, and you can follow up that way.

As for me, I boxed when I was younger, but then I focused on school. I got back into boxing as an official out of love for the sport and a desire to remain involved.

I hope this helps, Louise.
Thanks again for writing, and best wishes for your research.

Regards,
Lian