Basics of Boxing: Tips from a Pro
Sport, Hobby, Passion
New to the sport of boxing? Or do you already have your opponent on the ropes and a championship belt over your bed? Either way, there is always something new to learn. Our goal in life should always be to empower ourselves to grow every day and build on all the little successes throughout our day. Boxing has been around since humans began to defend themselves in the wild. Now in our modern age, we take this primal art of self-defense and have turned it into a multi-billion dollar industry. With pro boxers like Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather making upwards of thirty million dollars for one fight, the passion for the ring can turn into a passion for the ultimate riches. Boxing pro, De’Angelo Cunningham, representing Cleveland, Ohio, has big dreams of the big money. He is passionate about his professional career and enthusiastically stated that you have to be hungry to make your dream a reality. I told him he sounded just like another Cleveland native, Les Brown, motivational speaker when he told me that. Les Brown always preached that anything is possible if you work towards it. And although De’Angelo burns a lot of calories hitting the bag, and knocking his opponents out, he doesn’t mean hungry as in he wants a juicy burger. He wants you to know that he is highly motivated, has a strong desire to win and will be dedicated to success in the sport.
Practice, Practice, Practice
When talking to De’Angelo, he kept preaching the power of practice. He’s been boxing since he was twelve years old. That’s heavy dedication to an art form that is taking him far in his career. In addition, De’Angelo offers self-defense classes and boxing classes for anyone wants to learn at his gym, House of Dogs Boxing Club. A wise man said that the master has failed more times than the student has even tried. It takes repetition to get any sort of mastery. When I first started driving, I thought I would never make a right turn as smooth as my dad did. A simple right turn! But after making hundreds of right turns on the road when I had my driver’s permit, I became really natural at it, easing off the brake and turning the wheel enough for the car to make it around the corner effortlessly. I felt so happy! But it took a lot of work. Same with boxing. Get some gloves on, start hitting a bag over and over again. Start sparring with a boxing partner. Get tips from boxers in the gym that can tell you a thing or two about the process and next thing you know, you’re at the MGM, under the spotlight for the main event!
Your Mind and Heart Will Push You Harder Than Your Trainer
I am a huge believer in the power of belief. While that sounds so vague and redundant, I’ve tested and proven this for myself. I never, ever believe someone else’s opinion unless I try something out for myself. I implore you to do the same. You are your best judge, always! So what’s the point? Get your heart and mind into the mix and your body will do amazing things. Do you have to exercise to build endurance for boxing? Yes! Make sure you talk to yourself with positivity and conviction to make your mind strong enough to work the speed bag for that two extra minutes when your arms are already burning. Make sure your heart is focused on the win in the last round of the match, so you can throw that extra punch when your opponent can’t. Make sure if you are new to the sport, don’t give up after one or two sessions. Ultimately, make sure you fail forward. That is, make sure when you’re training, that you make mistakes and learn from them so you do better next time. The learning never stops. Keep motivating yourself to reach higher levels and put every small success as a win in your book. Make boxing fun. Get your friends involved with you. Have sparring matches to see who can get the most points. See who can jump rope the longest to build endurance. Make a game and see who can deliver the most punches to the heavy bag in thirty seconds to work on speed. The possibilities are endless! You will go far and enjoy being active in a sport that continues to grow and amaze!
Q & A With The Champ
Q: What equipment do I need to start boxing and what’s the cost related?
D: You will only really need a pair of gloves and hand wraps. If you’re just starting out you don’t really need a mouth guard. Only use a mouth guard for sparring after getting some more experience with the basics. A basic, less expensive pair of gloves will range from $50-$60, while a more expensive all-purpose pair of gloves will cost around $150. However, they will last longer, and will endure more wear and tear over time. A basic pair of hand wraps will cost anywhere from $5-$10.
Q: Which exercises can I do to gain strength and endurance for the sport?
D: Jump rope is best endurance in my opinion. You do so many rotations with the rope, you will feel the burn. You also need to focus on your core and cardio without too much weight. Working a punching a heavy bag is also ideal as you hit the bag and it moves around with you. You don’t want to lift too many weights because your arms will get too tight and bulky; it will make you too sluggish. You need to be more limber and agile. Ultimately you need to work out more functionally using your body weight and very light weight going for a longer time.
Q: I already have experience in boxing. What is one step I can take in becoming a pro?
D: Training with guys better than you. Training with boxers with more advanced skills. You also want to increase your sparring regimen with more skilled boxers. Find guys better than you. They can teach you things based on experience. Always be willing to learn more.
Q: Besides confidence and focus, what is another mindset I can practice that will keep me in a successful training routine?
D: Basically stay hungry! You need to have a strong determination. You got to really want it. You have to put that work in. You need to stay dedication and stay focused on the goal, whether it is to be the champion or making that big money. You have to stay focused on what you are working towards.
Q: What online resources can I use to find out more information about the world of boxing?
Information on National Boxing: https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Boxing
De’Angelo Sparring: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TshJA0L-Oc&feature=youtu.be
Information on Pro Boxing: https://fightnights.com/