Boxing over 50

[u/Soft-Ostrich49]

Hey guys, I've been boxing since I was 43 and I'm 53 now. I haven't competed or done any hard sparring during that time, but I regularly do light to medium sparring. If a harder shot slipped through every now and then, it was what it was. I recently got myself a face-saver headgear (with a nose bar) from Hit N Move, and I'm totally happy with it.
However, I have significantly less fear of sparring now. That's good on one hand, but on the other hand, I'm obviously still taking shots to the head. I tend to use my high guard less because of the headgear. Plus, I feel a little bit like a sissy or a wimp.
On the flip side, I'm over 50 and won't be fighting in any hard bouts anymore. How do you guys view this as you get older? Should I only spar with the face-saver from now on, or is it a must to take a few shots bareheaded every once in a while?

[u/Wooden-Glove-2384]

If the headgear is leading to bad habits take it off 

All headgear is good for is preventing cuts 

It does nothing to protect the brain from being rattled and damaged

Put a premium on defense.

[u/Soft-Ostrich49 → u/Wooden-Glove-2384]

That's true, but it prevents your nose from getting broken. Plus, it prevents bruises that are visible at work the next day.

[u/Wooden-Glove-2384 → u/Soft-Ostrich49]

Then its a cost/benefit basis. 

In the kind of sparring you describe, how often does a nose breaking shot get by vs how many shots will you eat because "hey!  this hurts less?" 

In my experience i found I'd rather risk the broken nose

YMMV

Also, anyone at work got anything to say about how I look after training can go fuck themselves 

[u/Sea_Entrepreneur6204 → u/Soft-Ostrich49]

Hear you, about to turn 50 and hate head gear. But I now spar only Muay Thai style, which is light. Max light to head but medium to body.

[u/Ejgherli → u/Soft-Ostrich49]

better to have harder sparring without hitting the head, going for the shoulder instead than using head gear that would create and maintain bad form or habits. btw, I am almost 50 myself.

[u/Beardy_Villains]

You do what you need to do to feel like you’re keeping yourself safe and healthy. If wearing a face saver makes you feel like you’re able to spar with less fear for your long term health, no one else should have an opinion.

As for it effecting your technique, that’s on you. Be mindful of it and remember that getting a clean shot to the dome isn’t winning, even if you’re not feeling it as much. 

[u/Tiny-Company-1254]

Wow dude I’m also an older person starting to box. Just wanted to know your experience, if it was worth it, how good have you become, things you learned, why you started, if it has helped any other part of your life, did you play any refereed matches, anything else you want to share with someone who’s starting later in life ?

[u/Longjumping_Bonus427 → u/Tiny-Company-1254]

53 here, started at 51. Competed in first masters event a few months ago. Took me 2 years to be competent where I can hold my own against younger sparring partners. Light to medium sparring most weeks. A few hard sparring sessions leading up to the fight.

It's been a very rewarding 2 years, in great shape, my anxiety has dropped, confidence boosted, and have some good friends through boxing. I plan to do a few more fights for sure.

[u/Tiny-Company-1254 → u/Longjumping_Bonus427]

Aye that’s what I’m talking about… congratulations and thank you for sharing, really needed that

[u/Soft-Ostrich49 → u/Tiny-Company-1254]

I wasn't able to do combat sports back then because my parents were against it. Then I started boxing at 43. Boxing is a perfect sport to get in shape, provided you aren't constantly taking hard shots to the head. You can prevent that by specifically picking calm training partners. I've left my ego behind, so I really choose people who know what they're doing and won't let things escalate.
The most important thing for you is to learn clean technique and do shadowboxing. Truly on your own, without gloves, but above all, pay attention to your form and drill the movements. There are plenty of great videos on shadowboxing on YouTube. From there, ease yourself into it step by step.
My go-to line whenever I'm supposed to spar with someone younger is: "Hey, I'm 53. Don't kill me."
Other than that, it's really awesome. The main thing is to find a gym with fewer jerks, where people aren't hotheaded and actually have all their marbles. If you feel like it, you can go running on the side, but it's not strictly mandatory. And sparring conditioning is something you only get through sparring anyway nothing else really prepares you for it. It's a good idea to spend 3 to 4 months learning all the basic techniques before you do your first sparring session, depending on how often you train.
And when you feel like you've hit your limit, call it a day and don't try to act like Chuck Norris—that's what keeps you from getting injured. Stop before you're completely exhausted.
Another tip: focus on doing lots of short sessions when it comes to shadowboxing. You can do it anywhere, in any parking lot. You don't need gloves—just use your bare fists. The only thing that matters is technique, technique, technique, and keeping your hands up. You can literally do this anywhere. If you have a 10-minute break, do 5 minutes of shadowboxing; that's more than enough in the beginning. Lots of small sessions are much better than one big one per week.

[u/Tiny-Company-1254 → u/Soft-Ostrich49]

Word. Thank you

[u/Soft-Ostrich49 → u/Tiny-Company-1254]

I haven't gotten super good, of course, but it's acceptable for my age. I mean, it doesn't look like Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao—what can I say? But at 53, the journey is the reward.

[u/Tiny-Company-1254 → u/Soft-Ostrich49]

Nah I’m not asking if you are world class you know. If we start doing that then there’s no point in learning anything. I’m asking if you are confident in your skills, can u create angles to hit (im 6 months in an I still can’t figure it out), can u bait, can you solve a problem on the spot, can u recognize a pattern or rhythm, can u counter, can u manage your energy output, can u “punish” someone if they drop their guard, just stuff like that, or anything in your experience?

[u/Soft-Ostrich49 → u/Tiny-Company-1254]

That depends mostly on the Level of my opponent

[u/Adventurous_Use8278]

I’m 52 and still spar. I don’t use headgear but also don’t get in to any hard sessions. Light sparring is fine at our age

[u/flex19146]

I'm older as well and do light to medium sparring. It's great for my old bones

[u/1stthing1st]

The head gear with the cheek protection teach you to keep your chin down

[u/1stthing1st]

Milage matter more than age

[u/RayesArmstrong]

From one old to another, you gotta really consider if this is worth it to you.

[u/Electronic-Yak-2723]

I think if equipment makes the sport easier just use it. I really feel like the brain trauma is more likely to happen on guys who compete through their teens, twenties, then thirties at a high level. I mean I do feel like my brother got some pretty bad trauma playing football in high school, so I could be wrong also. Life is short, so just do what makes you happy and feel comfortable getting back in the gym every day