WOMEN'S BOXING: ASK THE TRAINER - TOP WORLD-CLASS TRAINER

I've been training on and off for a couple of years now, and I am currently in between trainers and would like to know if you could give me some information on what I would have to do in order to turn pro, I have no trainer or anyone else to speak with at this time and I'd like to know asap. Nicole

The only legal thing you need to do is apply and receive your Federal ID card, this allows you to box any where in the world, You need to find out who is in charge of your states Boxing Commission, each or most all states have a Pro Boxing Commission. That is where you get this Federal ID. In Georgia, thecommission is run through the Secretary of states office in the State Capitol Bldg. Even if and when you get this card you are going to need to find an area trainer that works with the pros to be able to use it. You need to find some boxing gym in your area and start communicating with the trainers there. This is not something you can do by yourself, Good luck, Tom

I need to find out what kind of training do I need to do in order to be able to last those ten rounds and in each one be able to throw a flurry of shots without getting so tired. I have seen where some fighters are able to be in say round 7 and just go off and throw so many punches the ref has to step in. My other question is that my coach just tells me to run around 5 miles a day but he just tells me to work my way up to that distance. I need to know how fast I should be running each mile and how should I work my way up to that distance. I fought Linda Tenberg on ESPN2 a long time ago and our fight style was around the same and we both lasted without getting to tired after 4 rounds. I fought another fighter the same amount of rounds but because this other fighter threw more punches it made me have to throw more and I was tired at the end of every round. Thanks for your help, Alice

Basically what you are asking is a "boxing' energy type fitness(cardio) training program . First, I recommend you throw out the concept of the 5 mile run and replace it with the more modern and up to date, (and proven) interval fitness routine. This program can be seen in the USA Boxing "coaching Olympic style boxing" book that Ringside.com sells, The long runs may or may not be good for weight control but for the type of fitness you need for boxing you need the interval fitness routine. This program will greatly enhance your conditioning level, allow you to throw more punches, and go more "quality" rounds at the same time. The scientists at the olympic training centers, among others have researched this ,Most if not all of the other Olympic type sports, track and field, wrestling, etc.,use this system. The program is built around a constant change in heart rate during the run which actually is identical to the fitness needs of boxing as the heart rate changes many times during each round and also the intensity of the rate changes. The book outlines the specifics of the program. This type of 'interval' running can be duplicated in the boxing gym with interval bag
work, interval sparring ,interval jump rope, etc. A basic example of interval bag work is the often used "speed drills" where you hit the bag for a designated time ,30 sec ,or 40,or whatever. and take equal time rest, this is the way you can get your heart rate up, AND down on continuous routine. Many boxing coaches are 'old school' and just do not believe in change. I can tell you definitely that the entire US Olympic Boxing and track teams uses this type of training ,among many current pros. Good luck, Tom

I am 45 and started boxing recently. I would like to find a way to compete with other female boxers or lighter male boxers ...plain and simple, just spar some. i have sparred in martial arts before. What is your suggestion? I would be in the middleweight or super middleweight class at 5'9. I know I'm old but I want to put the principles into practice and not be a simple white collar boxer. Deb F.

First you need to locate an area amateur gym that has registered AND certified coaches working. Then you need to get registered with USA Boxing as an amateur female Masters boxer (includes all ages over 34). That way you can actually compete in amateur matches against boxers your weight and within 10 years one way or the other of your age. First you need to take 3-4 months to learn some basic boxing skills and get in boxing physical condition, then another three or four months to include sparring against whoever is available, men or preferably women. Then you should ask the coaches to attempt to locate a sanctioned amateur match for you. Plain and simple: find a good dependable amateur coach, listen to him or her, take your time, get in shape, and be patient Good luck, Tom

I am 26 and I have just started my "training" (for the past 3 months) to begin my amateur boxing career and I am finding it very difficult to grasp the bob and weave technique, etc.. and faster feet movement. Are there any tips that you recommend..? Arlene

Best thing I use for these techniques is a "muscle memory" type learning process, where you do these things over and over and over until your body "memorizes" them. For the bob-weave-slip, I use a rope tied up between two poles about 20 feet apart and literally go up and back 3- five rounds at a time, WITHOUT punching, sounds boring but after three or four days of this you will find yourself bobbing, slipping, etc., on your own without thinking. Same with the fast feet----I have my boxers step and slide without punching up and back in the ring for three-five rounds at a time, (without punching ), again this is slightly boring and time consuming but this concept of "muscle memory" is one that works because you start doing the drills without thinking which is the key to success, Good luck, Tom

Hi Tom, What do you think could be done in regards to having the same rules for females as in the male boxing in regards in weight class. Mary Ann Owen

As far as the amateurs, as that is where the majority of the weight changes are, I do not "think" it is going to happen, The AIBA, (International Amateur Boxing Assn) has set this up in line with their youth 15-16 age boxers, called cadets, and that is a tremendous mountain to climb. They did it for what they "say" is safety reasons etc., but I personally do not see why all weights, women, men, and cadets should not be the exact same. 180 countries in AIBA and USA has only one vote in that process of changes. The reality is we need to fight the battles we can win and at the same time are the most important and getting our women in the Olympics is the fight we need on our agenda more than anything. We should do whatever we can to get the AIBA on our side (and not upset them) so that this Olympic dream can become a reality, trying to make other incidental changes will hurt our cause, WE should have one bull's-eye, (even though I do agree with you) Tom Moraetes
Head Coach & Director, Augusta Boxing Club/ Augusta Police Athletic League.

Tom, I am 29 years old and have been training for almost 4 months. I intend to enter the amateur circuit as soon as my trainer says that I am ready. However, I have two problems: 1) I know that the"age clock" is ticking in terms of my ability to have any meaningful amateur career and it makes me feel under the gun to rush my training, and 2) Because I feel under the gun, I don't know if I am losing my weight fast enough so that I can get to my "fight weight" goal of 180. Currently, I am 5' 10" and I weigh 220 lbs. I have a very solid, athletic build (not fat or sloppy at all), but my goal is to get to 180 lbs. Do you think that given my age and desire to have an amateur career, that my current training of 3 days a week for 2-2 1/2 hours each and running schedule of 5 days a week is going to get me to my fight weight in a resaonble time? Obviously I am aware that my diet plays a significant role in my weight loss as well, but I am beginning to feel that no matter how serious and hard I train, I won't drop the pounds in enough time to move towards a fight within the next 4-6 months. Can you please give me your advice? Thank you, Zandria (D.C.)

Zandria, a couple of things ,first I believe you need to get a body fat test if possible to see if the weight class of 180 is the one for you, second, I do not want you to hurry as age 29 is late but it is not TOO late ,,you have 4 years to do the amateur boxing so do not rush it. To answer your question specifically, I believe the program you have as far as days training, etc is excellent ,until you get into serious comp (tournament comp) I do not feel any change is needed, especially since you are doing the five-day fitness training. I recommend thinking about some fights before you get to the target weight Club type (not tournament fights ), against similar type weight and inexperienced opponents. AS an example when you get down to 210-200 see about a club fight with a boxer with O fights and similar weight ,when you get 190 , the same, etc. You might be able to find a more comfortable weight than the 180, by doing this also, feel free to call my gym anytime and I can further explain. Always remember that the lower the body weight is the higher the skill level of the opponents are, Good luck, Tom Moraetes -Head Coach & Director Augusta Boxing Club/Augusta Police Athletic League. http://www.augustaboxing.org Office: 706-733-7533

I'm currently training towards my first amateur bout, I
road run about 5 miles every morning, the problem is my breathing, I get tired because I cannot keep a breathing pattern, I find this annoying because I could easily run further, easier. I have no medical condition, could you give me some tips on how to sustain a breathing pattern throughout my run. Angel.

What you need to start doing is not the 5 mile run but a series of what is referred to as "interval running". The concept of boxers doing the AM 5 mile run is basically non existent this time ,You can get the info on interval running from the book "Olympic style Boxing ",sold by Ringside Inc, or from USA Boxing in Colorado springs ,The basic concept of it is to mix a series of distances and speeds in the runs. Good luck, Tom