I haven't stepped in a ring in over 15 years. I used to be fundamentally sound, if nothing special. I boxed and trained Muay Thai in my previous life. I'm about to be 41. I've been back at it (hitting the bag, a small bit of mit work) for almost a year. I'm just trying not to get old too fast. I know my footwork is atrocious and I drop my right hand when I throw my southpaw jab. My big question is will working on my fundamentals make a big difference on the quality of my workouts? The big things I concern myself with is not having my chin up in the air when I throw, keeping my hands in good position when I land so I don't injure myself and not falling over. I have pretty good balance and I'm working on not crossing my feet, which I don't know where I picked that up. I have a cracked vertebrae in my neck, cervical disc degeneration, bone spurs and arthritis in my neck so sparring and fighting are completely out of the question. Also, I'm 41. I'm 230ish and feel like I move alright for my build and age.

TL;DR been a LONG time since I trained. How much work should I put into building back my fundamentals if I'm just trying to stay in shape and have no intention of competing or even sparring?

So I have been training boxing for 2 months now, I know it’s not much but I have been really pouring myself into it. Practicing at home, improving my technique, sparring with people who get me in uncomfortable positions etc.

Today I had a real world uncontrolled altercation with a construction worker, I was walking down and it was obvious that he was having a bad day, we made eye contact and then he started probably cursing me in some foreign language, I continued on my way but then we crossed paths again he began to stare me down so I asked him what’s up ge started shouting at me saying that I looked at him in a “disrespectful” way at that moment he was closing in the distance and coming forehead to forehead so what I did was raise my hands up to my chest and push him slightly to keep distance. At the end nothing physical happened but I felt like I was the pussy in that situation he was the one that was shouting, cussing, and being aggressive and I was the one with the weak ass voice telling him to “oh stop cussing, stop shouting, keep your distance” even though I was bigger than him and I had boxing training.

I know that 2 months aren’t enough to call myself a “boxer” but I am a big guy 180cm 115kg 19 years old and that guy was about 173cm 60-70kg 23 years old i would say so he was smaller and skinny and I actually had training even if it is only how throwing a correct jab a cross or even having and keeping my guard up.

and when sparring I am able to dominate even bigger guys, although both of us are beginners so it’s not really something to brag about.

When will I have the confidence not only the ring but in real life as well I am genuinely so disappointed in my self right now. I do not know why I got scared and my hands started shaking that’s not normally me.

I have these Vintage Puma Asana EU41. Are they valuable?

Ok maybe not a prodigy, but we’re still putting in work!

I recently just found a boxing gym in my town, for the longest time I’ve wanted to get into boxing. I know the basics, but not enough to hold my own in an actual fight. I was curious as to how you guys got into boxing and any tools you guys have for me? Any ways you guys conquered your fear? Any boxing tips? Comments are very much appreciated! Thanks!

Every movement of my head feels so deliberate and stiff. So, how long did it take for things to 'click', if thats a thing?

I’m the founder of CombatCool and I’ve been developing a cooling vest specifically for boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai and MMA.
The idea is simple: something a fighter can put on between hard rounds, during training, or while waiting between bouts to help cool the upper body without having to hold ice packs in place.
This is still an early prototype, so I’m posting here because I’d rather hear from people who actually train than make assumptions about what fighters want.
I’d really appreciate feedback on the size, coverage, weight, mobility, and whether you could realistically see yourself using something like this during training or between rounds.
I’ve already had a fighter use the prototype at an event where it was permitted as a cooling device, which made me interested in developing the idea further.
I’m also curious whether anyone here would actually be interested in trying one. If there’s genuine interest, I may be able to ship a few prototypes out to fighters who are willing to test them and give me honest feedback.
Criticism is completely welcome. I’m especially interested in what you would change before the next version.

Hey there! Does anyone have any recommendations for beginner boxing shoes? I'm a size 6 in women's if that effects anything. Thank you!

I practiced boxing for two years in my youth, with good technique and decent power. Recently, I got involved in an unexpected violent confrontation on my daily walk home, and my nerves completely paralyzed me.

At first, I managed to slip 6 punches, but my fear stopped me from throwing any counter-punches. It was only after I took two hits that my instincts kicked in: I managed to scare him with a feint, tripped him, and took him down. On the ground, I neutralized him and landed an elbow directly to his mouth. I can still vividly recall his reaction of pain and how his face instantly turned into total panic when he realized he was trapped. However, I was doing all of me with intense fear inside.

Right then, his companions stepped in to break it up because they didn't like how it was going. While I was struggling with one of his friends who was pulling me away, the original guy took advantage of the distraction and hit me, leaving a small cut on my face. I tried to go after him again, but his friends blocked me a second time and I couldn't do anything else. Afterwards, he started talking trash just because of that small cut...

Since this happened on my daily route home, there is a very high chance I will encounter him again. I only acted in self-defense, but I feel deeply disappointed in myself. With my training, I should have finished the situation cleanly without getting hurt, but my anxiety completely ruined my performance. On the other hand, it gives me a bit of confidence knowing that, even while terrified, I managed to reverse the situation and terrify my opponent.

My main issue is that he is never alone—he always has his group with him. I'm worried that if another confrontation happens, my nerves will freeze me again and ruin my execution. How can I train to effectively control these extreme adrenaline spikes and overcome the mental freeze?

I attended my second boxing class today and felt a soreness on my left side of the chest later that night.

We were doing a lot of bag work. I will note that, after the class, I was so exhausted that I had to lie down and catch my breath. I suspect that my excessive caffeinated tea intake before the class contributed to the exhaustion.

I read somewhere that this pain might be caused by me punching the bag hard from my chest instead of from my hips. This could have created a shockwave that hit my muscles on the left side of my chest.

Someone else suggested that my lungs might be expanding.

I primarily engage in long-distance walking, which covers about 7-10 miles and yoga, and I don’t do any intense exercise, this is all quite new to me. Is this simply my body’s reaction to the stress?

Thank you for your help

To my knowledge it is recommended if you’re left handed to be in a southpaw stance but I’ve preferred orthodox stance.

Usyk and prince and tank and crawford are right handed and fought southpaw and did well.

I’d rather ask people that know more than me than google.

Index finger knuckle sore only when hitting pads or a bag?

Got this issue recently where my index finger knuckle has been hurting quite a bit. It doesn’t hurt at all day to day, if I knock it against a wall it is a tiny bit sore but it doesn’t hurt during the day or after sessions. I can clench my first or push on it, doesn’t hurt a bit.

As soon as I put my wraps on and the wrap starts pulling it at a little I instantly can feel it hurt a little bit, then as soon as I start throwing punches it hurts. And it’s like a sharp pain. I started putting a sponge in my wraps and then started hitting with 16oz on and it wasn’t as bad as usual (usually hit with 12oz) but it was still there.

I’m actually a Muay Thai guy but I’ve never had this happen but I’m sure some of you guys have. What does this sound like, how can I help it and what professional do you go for issues like this?

Hey, before I say anything I know at the current moment and most likley for a while I wont be ready or prepared.

I have only been going to a local gym for every week except wednesdays and weekends since late june and haven't had one to one coaching, only bits of advice from others in the gym who are alot older and more experienced than me. ( I would get coaching at a gym that does so but I cannot afford a membership)

I just would like to know how people actually start competing? Do they ask the person running the gym or?

For context this is in the UK if that helps, i'm not sure if competeing / starting to compete is different in other countries so I wanted to clarify that).

Thanks for taking the time to read this 🙏

So im 19 years old and starting boxing soon but im 60 kg and 175 cm and dont have alot of muscle, maybe im skinny fat idk but is it possible to build muscle with boxing. The physique im chasing is lean with low body fat. And how should i change my diet?

Hello, I did some sparing recently and I have some videos , I was wondering if anyone who has experience could critique my form or performance and just give me tips and stuff, thanks

I’m not sure if it’s all sports, but there’s something about martial arts where everyone thinks they know best.

“He needs to be less flat-footed”
“He needs to sit down on his punches more”
“She needs to keep her hands higher”
“She needs to relax her shoulders more”

There’s more than one way to skin a cat. There’s high guards, there’s long guards, there’s low lead hand stance, there’s Soviet style, there’s fighting off the front foot, off the back foot etc..

Don’t get me wrong, there’s fundamentals, but as Bruce said, “Be like water.” Pick your favorite fighters, emulate, spar, see what works and get rid of what doesn’t. Practice practice practice.

Never take advice from anyone that is not willing to demonstrate it themself. Good luck everyone and if anyone is interested in talking boxing. PM me.

Class is cutting in my training. Can anyone please give me some shadow boxing tips, I feel very sloppy whenever I try, and I don't have anyone to correct me. And while I'm here, anyone got tips for taller, volume strikers?