Expert: Melanie Ley - 7/29/2007

Question
I am 23 and will be turning 24 in a few days, I am going to start my training the day after my birthday. I've heard of a female boxer who turned pro with just six months of training with no prior boxing experience where she stated that she was really good at the sport. Once I get six to eight months of training and I'm really good at the sport, can I just turn pro, maybe even after having a few amateur fights.

Answer
To be really good at the sport takes years, not just months.  Most good coaches won't even put a boxer into their first competition until they've had at least 8 months of training.  You can turn pro anytime you want, but you're better off boxing as an amateur for at least two to three years, if not more.  This gives your coach the chance to see what needs to be worked on to make you better.  It would be pretty hard for you to determine whether or not you are good at the sport since you have no reference point.