Expert: Alan Kahn - 11/29/2007

Question
im 36 looking to get in to maybe an senior amateur competion & also my nephew who is 19 is lokking to start an amamteur career where do we start & what the best association to get into?

Answer
Hello David,

If you are completetly new to the sport of competitive boxing, then you probably need to start planning your career in "sanctioned" amateur competition by getting affiliated with a local gym, coaches and staff that actually train and support boxing and boxers that go to officially sanctioned tournaments, such as golden gloves, etc. Every state has their own commission for boxing or combat sports competitions and competitors. You will probably have to register with your state and take a physical. Do a web search for your state boxing commission. here are a few samples
California
http://www.dca.ca.gov/csac/statutes_regulations/federalact.shtml

Texas
http://www.license.state.tx.us/sports/sports.htm

Florida
http://www.myflorida.com/dbpr/pro/sbc/index.html

All tournaments have to meet the standards and guidelines of the state they are held in, and so do the boxers.  Otherwise you cannot be a qualified applicant, and it's best to be a member of a gym where the trainers and everybody know the rules of your location. Not all tournaments have "senior" divisions, but some do. You may have to travel out of state to find them.

You will also have to learn the "official" rules of boxing and ring behavior, scoring etc. as well as how the amateur tournaments and weight divisions are structured. I suggest your look here at USA boxing.org http://www.usaboxing.org/10.htm
and also here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amateur_boxing

As far as "associations" I think you mean professional level, and for that I couldn't tell you. You will find a listing of them at the bottom of this page link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxing

and by the time either you or your son rise to that level of competition, who knows which one will be best, for each has it's own reputation and place.  I suggest you not worry about pro level boxing just yet for You and your son will have to pay your dues at the amateur ranks first.

Good luck with your career and training. I hope you can find a knowledgeable gym with good staff close by where you live to get you going in the right direction.

sincerely,

Alan Kahn