Post: #251

I train in 10oz gloves for bag and pad work. I hate anything heavier as timing just isn't the same. I do light technical sparring in 10s and hard sparring in 16s. I like to get a lot of rounds in with smaller gloves as the 16s can make it really easy to block and much harder to squeeze punches through your guard.

As for pros, while generally they spar in 16s, amazingly I've even seen a Thai guy that's ranked no. 3 of all time at minimum weight, with about a 70% KO ratio, sparring hard with no head gear in 6 oz gloves! Fair enough he's a min. weight, but jeez, Thais just don't give a shit about health and safety.

Post: #252

I agree with the last few posts.

Lighter gloves are preferable for bag work; the heavier gloves are too physically big and heavy for accurate bag work in my opinion. Nobody really uses them anymore, but actual "bag gloves" are very light.

Also, for your average guy starting out, 16oz can be very heavy.

Re: Kieran's point about sparring with 16s if you aren't going to fight in them;you can pretty much completely hide your head behind a pair of 16s; it can then be a big shock to step into the ring with 10s and find your guard is half the size you are used to!

As for the Thais; well, yeah they're crazy. Although they may have been right all along about head gear...it's an argument that isn't going to go away for the foreseeable I don't think.

Post: #253

I am leaning towards the 16oz for my first pair. they seem like they are more versatile if i wanted to switch from bag work to sparring with someone. having heavier gloves will also give me more of a workout. as I get more into the sport, I will consider a smaller pair.

Post: #254

Don't use bag gloves to spar with. Real bag gloves are built differently than sparring gloves, the padding is more firm. Not cool to spar with bag gloves.

Also you don't want to use your sparring gloves on the bag because it will break down the softer padding and make it more dense, which also isn't cool for your sparring partners.

Bag gloves are for bags, and sparring gloves for sparring. They are not interchangeable.

Post: #255

Thanks for all your input and advice, so I purchased by first pair of bag gloves: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001BAJ...UTF8&psc=1

Some Title Gel gloves that MikeCF recommended over on his youtube channel.

Post: #256

(01-18-2015 06:22 AM)CrashBangWallop Wrote:  I agree with the last few posts.

Lighter gloves are preferable for bag work; the heavier gloves are too physically big and heavy for accurate bag work in my opinion. Nobody really uses them anymore, but actual "bag gloves" are very light.

Also, for your average guy starting out, 16oz can be very heavy.

Re: Kieran's point about sparring with 16s if you aren't going to fight in them;you can pretty much completely hide your head behind a pair of 16s; it can then be a big shock to step into the ring with 10s and find your guard is half the size you are used to!

As for the Thais; well, yeah they're crazy. Although they may have been right all along about head gear...it's an argument that isn't going to go away for the foreseeable I don't think.

16s are good for speed development when rotated with 12s and 10s. Too much use of 16s and you could overwork your arms and they will swell and actually make you slower.

Post: #257

(01-22-2015 10:15 AM)TravelerKai Wrote:  

(01-18-2015 06:22 AM)CrashBangWallop Wrote:  I agree with the last few posts.

Lighter gloves are preferable for bag work; the heavier gloves are too physically big and heavy for accurate bag work in my opinion. Nobody really uses them anymore, but actual "bag gloves" are very light.

Also, for your average guy starting out, 16oz can be very heavy.

Re: Kieran's point about sparring with 16s if you aren't going to fight in them;you can pretty much completely hide your head behind a pair of 16s; it can then be a big shock to step into the ring with 10s and find your guard is half the size you are used to!

As for the Thais; well, yeah they're crazy. Although they may have been right all along about head gear...it's an argument that isn't going to go away for the foreseeable I don't think.

16s are good for speed development when rotated with 12s and 10s. Too much use of 16s and you could overwork your arms and they will swell and actually make you slower.

That's true but the guy's just starting out; he's not gonna go buy three pairs of gloves and a pair of bag gloves, I doubt.

Post: #258

(01-03-2015 02:43 PM)Moma Wrote:  Doesn't skipping help with the footwork in boxing?

It does help in terms of being light on your feet and being able to move and change directions, etc.

However, jumping rope does not teach the correct technique (footwork) for throwing and avoiding punches.

(01-03-2015 02:43 PM)Moma Wrote:  it's time to flatten this belly!

If you want a flat belly, the most important thing is too adjust what you eat.

Exercise is important but diet is more important, in terms of getting a flat belly.

Post: #259

Has anyone here taken martial arts lessons in a language they didn't speak?

I'm looking at starting taekwondo, boxing, or muay thai, but the lessons would be entirely in Korean. Should I stick to just lifting? Or will language not be as big of an issue as I'm imagining.

Sorry if this is a little off-topic. I just figured this was the standing boxing thread and I didn't want to start a new thread for a simple question.

Post: #260

(01-24-2015 10:07 AM)Hedonistic Traveler Wrote:  Has anyone here taken martial arts lessons in a language they didn't speak?

I'm looking at starting taekwondo, boxing, or muay thai, but the lessons would be entirely in Korean. Should I stick to just lifting? Or will language not be as big of an issue as I'm imagining.

Sorry if this is a little off-topic. I just figured this was the standing boxing thread and I didn't want to start a new thread for a simple question.

At some of my schools we teach a style of Kung Fu in Chinese; the students enjoy it and it doesn't seem to have any effect on their ability to learn.

Post: #261

golden gloves season. good luck to all the competitors!

Post: #262

Trained with a homeless ex pro today. I have about 50 lbs on him and I am not fat or out of shape. He hit me a few times in the body without gloves (to demonstrate something, we were not sparring). I hope it was at least half power because it hurt. Lingered for a few seconds. All the more reason to not get into a fight!

But I definitely sense this guy cares a great deal. I am looking forward to progressing, I think I have learned the basics in the first 6 months and he is going to definitely help tweak and improve. I just wish I took better care of my knees when I was younger.

I still need to relax, a lot more power when relaxed.

The guy I trained with is one intense but funny fucker.

Post: #263

If he's homless maybe you can work out a really good deal for him to train you. Beneficial to you both. Just don't pay him too many weeks in advance because who knows how long he will stick around lol.

Post: #264

(02-05-2015 07:43 AM)RioNomad Wrote:  If he's homless maybe you can work out a really good deal for him to train you. Beneficial to you both. Just don't pay him too many weeks in advance because who knows how long he will stick around lol.

He has been training my buddy for a while so I trust my friend's opinion. My buddy has his first amateur fight in a few weeks. I agree I am just paying by the session. Too many sob stories from people over the last few years has made me uncomfortable advancing too much money. Just little tips from the first session were immensely helpful.

Post: #265

I just started boxing this week, and I'm still lifting 4 times a week (for powerlifting competition). Will post after 4 weeks to see how it all works.

A guy I lift with does Muay Thai, fights at some semi-pro level and used to hold the bench press national record, so both can be done.

Post: #266

As some of you know I have been boxing pretty regularly for the last few months. I just thought I would share what I learned and if it is wrong let me know.

• Punch starts with the shoulder – that has to go first
• Glove needs to be on the chin before the punch starts – when you get good enough, you don’t need to
• Balance is important - I know it is obvious, but I still struggle partly because I am always trying to crack, see below
• Power is great and all – but more important is being in control and accurate. Don't be wild. Throwing haymakers and shit.
• Elbow does not go behind your back, in other words don’t pull back before punching
• Do not go past your knees
• Do not lean forward or push – sit on the punch
• Be on your toes, not your heels
• Square yourself to lower your profile – don’t be fully exposed to the other person
• Heavy Bag – it’s good for conditioning, etc. But when on it, you should treat it as a legit exercise. Meaning, you get to have the right stance and posture. Punches (except when just burning them off for the last 30 seconds) should be executed as if you were working on mitts, etc. I have seen lots of guys standing flat footed, no guard, just banging them. But if you’re new I just think it is important to reinforce your technique all the time
• Keep your chin down
• Watch the guys arm pits. I know it sounds strange but that is where movement initiates.
• A straight punch gets there faster. Also, a straight punch gets more of your power behind it than if you are trying to punch straight but your elbow wings out. Slows you down and loses some power. Which is why if your glove is on your chin and your elbow is touching your torso you can throw a good powerful straight punch than if you are trying to throw a straight punch with your elbow off your body.
• If rolling under, a good place to aim for is the guy's armpit. I know this sounds strange
• When slipping or rolling your head needs to be looking up, if you are not watching your opponent, you might duck the first but not the second punch
• When rolling under a hook, you can't move too quickly. If you do the guy will just follow you down with his hook. You gotta wait, which I hate doing but am getting the hang of it.
• Relax, you box better when relaxed (this is my toughest thing to do)

Once again I am a noob and these are the things I am picking up. Just because I have been told these things doesn't mean I am firing on all cylinders and doing everything right. Far from it. Just trying to give back a bit to everyone who has helped me. Thanks guys.

Post: #267

My bad forgot one of the most critical things I have learned.

Be efficient. Don't more than you have to, etc. When slipping, move just enough to slip the punch, don't slip way out there. Not only a bad use of energy but more distance to cover to get back to the proper stance or to throw a punch (your punch will have to cover more distance).

Boxing is such a thinking man's game, it truly has been a rewarding challenge that I have barely made a dent in.

Post: #268

It's fun to read about a novice boxer learning the craft..

I will offer my personal opinion just for the entertainment of the boxers and boxing fans.

I'm not trying to challenge samsamsam, I just like to discuss boxing:

(02-10-2015 09:56 PM)samsamsam Wrote:  Punch starts with the shoulder – that has to go first

For me, the punch starts in two places, simultaneously, the core and the legs.

I want to punch with all the power and weight in my body, not just the power and weight in my arms.

To do this, I must maintain a strong, athletic base in my core and legs.

When I explode, the explosion starts from the legs and core.

Quote:Glove needs to be on the chin before the punch starts – when you get good enough, you don’t need to

It depends if you are on the attack, on the defensive, or transitioning from one to the other.. And, it depends what the other fighter is doing..

If the glove is "on your chin", the top half of your head is still exposed. You can still get hit.

If the other man is on the attack, you better get the gloves up higher to protect your entire face.

Personally, I rarely keep my gloves on my chin, I like them a few inches in front of my face.

This is often a matter of personal preference and personal comfort.

Quote:Balance is important - I know it is obvious, but I still struggle partly because I am always trying to crack, see below

Yes, balance is crucial.

Quote:Do not lean forward or push – sit on the punch

I actually like to lean forward, backwards, and sideways -- at various times.

I sometimes lean forward when I jab, to lengthen the jab.

I sometimes lean forward to bait the other fighter into throwing a punch.

If I can, I will "sit" on a punch." But, even if I can not "sit" on the punch and I have to lean a little, I will still throw it, if, I know I can land a scoring punch without getting hit.

I don't mind a little leaning, if, it allows you to score without getting it.

Quote:Square yourself to lower your profile – don’t be fully exposed to the other person

What do you mean "square yourself"???

*****

In boxing, I only believe in one rule:

Hit and Don't Get Hit

Many great fighters have found innovative ways to do this.

Post: #269

(02-11-2015 04:52 PM)Giovonny Wrote:  In boxing, I only believe in one rule:

Hit and Don't Get Hit

Many great fighters have found innovative ways to do this.

Yep.

I think if you are experienced like you are Gio, you can do what feels right for you, etc. These aren't meant to be hard and fast rules. But for someone like me, I just need some basics to fall back on until I figure out what works for me. For now mt gloves are close to me. Sometimes I have my left glove a little further out to close the distance I need to cover for a jab. But I am just a big work in progress at the moment. Appreciate your comments!

Post: #270

I'm in the absolute newbie level of boxing, but my instructor has been drilling into us the rotation (of hips / core, through the legs up) which is the foundation of our punches. We are to use no power at this stage from our shoulders or arms, just the rotation alone. Every punch (straight, hook or uppercut) is supposed to look the same in the torso and legs.

Did a boxing conditioning class this morning and man do we have some cocky chicks in this one! They quarter-squat with bodyweight, do knee pushups while barely bending their elbows, and of course they'd finish the rounds before the guys do. Then they'd look at us as if we're such unfit losers. This instructor isn't strict enough to pull them back down to earth a bit.

Post: #271

^^ I mean a perfect punch is a combination of things. I am instructed a lot on making sure my torso turns also. Honestly, there seems a lot to be done to to it right. Supervised repetition is important so I am not repeating the same action over and over if it is incorrect.

Post: #272

You are right in terms of the arm; you want the punch to come from the shoulder, not the elbow. Of course there's still movement at the elbow joint, but it's kind of like squatting, where breaking from the hips first feels different to breaking at the knees first.

Also not every punch needs to be a perfect ground up rotating text book punch. There's a time and a place for just flicking the shots out there real quick. Your combinations will also be terribly slow if you insist on perfect rotation and weight transfer on every punch. It can be enough to just hint at the movement. To get to that stage though of course you need to get the textbook technique down first.

Gio made some great points about reaching and letting your weight come forward at times, but as a beginner I think it's best to err on the side of caution, because if you're reaching often and letting your weight come too far forward, a fighter with a nice counter lead hand hook / rear hand uppercut underneath, will probably time you and knock you down far easier than if you keep your weight from coming forward onto your knee / foot.

Post: #273

Today, I think I made a little step forward in progress. I usually try to bang the shit out of mitts. I'll be honest, I like hearing the pop (I know what am I 10 years old?). But I spoke with my trainer before we started and said let's focus on tight form, speed and accuracy.

I think much of the struggles with my balance is that I am always trying to bang the shit out of the mitts.

Today, I was tighter, balance was better, I seemed smoother and I didn't have the lean from trying to hit it so hard. I understand that, hopefully, down the road I can learn to lean for a purpose, but I think I did a lot to just hit harder.

Don't get me wrong, my trainer has been on me about this stuff, I just never saw all the connections. This delayed development is all on me for not listening better.

Sure maybe I am hitting with a little less power, but I felt a little more relaxed, smoother and accurate.

This may be a minor discovery for the experienced guys here (who have been nothing but awesome about sharing and teaching on this thread - you guys are the best) but today I think I realized I need to stop being so power hungry. Less brawler and more boxer.

Post: #274

One thing that accidentally helps me not be so power hungry ^^ is that my boxing classes are either in the afternoon or the morning after heavy lifting, which means fatigue stops me from being dumb.

My coach says I have plenty of power for a newbie, but it's useless if I'm off balance or slow, so I'm only thinking about the body rotation, foot work and balance now. Moving around is hard for me atm, I feel very slow! Making it a habit to practice during the day whenever I have a few mins break.

Post: #275

(02-26-2015 02:33 PM)samsamsam Wrote:  I realized I need to stop being so power hungry. Less brawler and more boxer.

The key is knowing when to be a "boxer" and when to be a "puncher".

When to "brawl" and when to "box".

That is what makes boxing a "chess match".

The wrong approach could equal defeat.

---

Just for fun, here is a little tactic that I use..

I hold out my jab and I leave it there. In other words, I extend my arm all the way and I just leave it extended.

Instead of traditional "jabbing", I use this "stiff arm" to try and bother, disrupt, or blind my opponent. I try to block his vision. When I can see that his vision is blocked, I will usually throw a straight punch right behind this "stiff arm".

If I can touch him with this "stiff arm" , I know he is within my punching range.

It's essentially the same thing as a "jab", except, instead on constantly throwing and re-coiling my jab, I just leave it extended for a few seconds.

I learned this from watching boxing my whole life, I've seen world champions use this occasionally.