Amateur Fighters Vs Trained Boxers

March 17th 2017.

When people find out that I like boxing sometimes the topic gets into the idea that amateurs can somehow compete against a trained boxer.

At which point I have to either stifle a laugh or burst out laughing.

The problem lies with the public misconception / myth that boxers are just brawlers and that boxing doesn't require any skill or training. After all, any idiot can throw a punch right?

Yes, any idiot can throw a punch. But are they actually good at throwing a punch? Do their punches connect? How hard do the punches connect? Do they know how to dodge or take a punch?

People who don't know what they are doing typically:

• Regularly miss the target.
• If they do hit, it is often a glancing blow which deals no real damage.
• Don't know anything about footwork.
• Don't know anything about how to fade, block, deflect, etc.
• Don't know how to take a hit.
• Unable to control their emotions, they leave their defenses down.

Trained boxers however:

• Consistently hit the target.
• Rarely deal a glancing blow and hit quite hard in comparison to someone who lacks training.
• Understand how to use footwork to both execute hits and avoid getting hit.
• Knows how to fade, block, deflect, etc.
• Can take their share of hits.
• Very much in control of their emotions, handles themselves with experience.

In the video below you will see an Irish bouncer (who apparently got his job because he is a trained boxer) vs two idiots who think that they have the advantage because of youth. Two young men with no boxing training vs one middle-aged man who knows what he is doing.




Take note of the following:

• The footwork of the bouncer.
• How he avoids confrontation. He plays it safe, and he is also patient.
• How he only punches when he needs to and only when he knows he will connect.
• When he hits, he hits hard. The one idiot gets knocked out cold.

Bonus Boxing Myth Busting Tip

Boxing gloves aren't just to protect the hands of the boxer. They also allow the boxer to hit even harder. Similar to wearing brass knuckles. Get hit by someone using their knuckles and get hit by someone wearing a boxing glove, and you will realize the glove actually hurts more. Unfortunately most people think that boxing gloves hit softer, because they think it is fairly soft. This myth is perpetuated due to ignorance.

In other news, Happy St Patrick's Day!

I am going to spend a chunk of today binge watching the new Netflix show "Iron Fist". I am looking forward to it. (Do you think it is a coincidence they released it on St Patrick's Day?)