Your Boxing Questions Answered

Boxing is a sport that some argue vehemently over. It may be considered a violent outlet of aggression that is rigged and the winner is known before the bout begins.

But for other individuals, it is a sport that involves true skills and a testament to the fighting spirit of the human soul. Humanity has been fighting since our first steps began on the evolutionary ladder and will likely to continue.

The sport has fully integrated itself into the world of sports and even has its own celebrities that titillate our urge to gossip and watch their lives like a hawk.

Hopefully the information in this article will address some of the basics of this great sport and will help you make up your mind about the sport.

When did boxing begin?

Boxing dates back to the Ancient Greeks but was initially called Pugilism. There were many forms of the fighting style, some of which were deadly and many of which has made its way into Greek literature. It was the Greeks that first introduced the sport into the Olympic Games but later also removed them.

Other cultures, such as the Chinese and the Europeans, took up the sport as a way to entertain the masses. It has also been used in pubs and bars throughout the world as a means to settle disagreements though that type of bare-knuckle fighting is more akin to street fighting than it is to the sport of boxing.

In 1908 amateur and collegiate boxing was once gain admitted entry as an official event in the Olympic Games.

What are the rules in boxing?

The rules of this sport can be pretty complex and differ according to which organization the boxer is a member of. Some of the standard rules are no hitting below the belt, no biting, no kicking and not using gloves that contain metal or weight.

How long does a boxing round go?

A typical round lasts for three minutes at the professional level. Amateurs fight in two minute rounds.

Can anyone learn how to box?

Anyone can learn to box provided they have some mobility. Boxing is a very rigorous sport and there is a lot of stress put onto the joints and bones in the arms and legs. Many people have turned to this sport as a way to exercise since it works all parts of the body.

Before beginning boxing it is important to consult your physician to make sure there is nothing that would hinder your decision to learn how to box. The next step is finding a good gym or trainer and beginning your program.

Is boxing considered self-defense?

Yes, in some ways it could be considered self-defense but would not be advisable since it is a hand-to-hand combat that is of no use to someone who is armed.

It has been used many times in school yard brawls and bar fights but would not typically be used as a primary self-defense.

What are the dangers of boxing?

Boxing can result in brain damage and fatalities. It is common for life-long fighters to develop brain damage after a long period of competing.

UK-Belarus Thai Boxing Love Story

Sasha and Din is unusual couple. She is the UK champion on the Thai boxing, Sasha is the champion of Eurasia on the same kind of sport. They met in the UK and were friends firstly. In some years Din has arrived to Belarus as the bride. It was necessary for Sasha to accept an Islam for a marriage. But it has not stopped him.

She is the swarthy, nice girl with beautiful, deep eyes. A newly-married couple speak in English. Occasionally Din speaks in Russian such words, as druzhba (friendship) or lubimy (dear). Sasha call her honey. They told their story as a beautiful fairy tale.

Three years ago Sasha and several more guys from Belarus participated in fights in England. There they met with Din. After competitions Sasha has stayed in UK for a while for training.

By the moment of their meeting Din worked as the nurse in hospital and was the employee of private security agency. Her career went up.

In Veimos where they lived, it was difficult to find the best security guard. Din served actions with participation of stars, often she was on entrance of the best in London disco Pasha. A typical picture: Din does not let in the big drunk man. He begins to abuse her with dirty words. And then he start to fight. In some seconds the guy already rolls under a ladder. It is surprising, but men were afraid of fists of Din. But outside of work she is very kind and sentimental girl. She can have a little cry over a trifle. The constant care and support is necessary for her too.

In 2004 Din has arrived to Belarus for some months to train Thai boxing in Minsk club Chinook. Belarus capital is considered along with Amsterdam as the capital of the European kickboxing and the Thai boxing. This trip has considerably influenced a life of Din.

- I have fallen in love with Belarus. I was surprised with this white snow, cleanliness of city streets, I never saw fights on the streets, - said Din.

- Gentlemen in Belarus are gentlemen, but not lady as it often happens in UK. I saw fights with participation of your children. Even children have character, spirit of the soldier. When such guy grows, he never will offend other person. I like, that people in Belarus treat each other with respect.

However, people here are gloomy, thoughtful. I have found many friends. For some reason my feelings to Sasha have woken up in Belarus. In London we were simply friends. We went to the Minsk cinemas, I did not understand language, the seats were terribly inconvenient, but the company was excellent. We started to meet. But the visa came to an end. I leaved Belarus with tears because I fall in love with Sasha and can not imagine, as I can live without him.

- All time of our separations was very difficult, I madly missed, - continues Din. - We called every day, sent SMS. – My friends asked me: why you have chosen the groom from Belarus? Could you really not find the guy more close? I answered: nobody knows, where on Earth is your love. My love was for thousand kilometers, in Belarus.

At last, the dream of Sasha and Din came true. In July of this year Din and Sasha became the husband and the wife.

Their wedding was traditional in Belarus. The cheerful toast-master, tables full with meal, impudent competitions. Such fun was amazing to Din. The bride has written beautiful letters for memory to all visitors and has presented souvenir rings. A newly-married couple have gone to Crimea on a honeymoon.

- There was excellent time, - with admiration has continued Din. - We sunbathed on a beach, walked, went for a drive on horses. I would like, that this time never came to an end.

Now Din prepares for the next departure to the United Kingdom, the visa comes to an end. Besides in Belarus it is difficult to earn money. Club mates tell, that Sasha and Din only argue on sports and never stand in pairs on trainings. It is taboo.

- Can the spouse really strike the wife and she flog the husband? - Sasha is surprised. - We are even engaged in different clubs in Belarus.

Now couple live on rented apartment. While there is time before departure of Din, they enjoy home life.

- And who is in your family the main cook?

- I now work at factory, therefore Din cook more often, - said Sasha. And when there is time, we make it together. Din opens the English culinary book and we cook exotic dishes. But I brought coffee in bed in the mornings more often.

- Do you really wish to stay for ever in Belarus?

- The country which has brought happiness to me, I do not wish to leave precisely, - argues Din. - I wait, when Sasha can move to me. But we shall periodically come to Belarus. The main thing I wish that they gave the visa without problems.

Collecting Boxing Autographs By Mail

If you are considering collecting boxing autographs, you may find that one of the best ways to start is by requesting free autographs from your favorite athlete. Most athletes prefer to receive fan mail in care of their agent, promoter or venue. If you are sending an autograph request, send a handwritten letter and send a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) with enough postage to cover your item’s return trip. Always be pleasant in your request and thank your favorite boxing personality for his/her time.

To help get you started, here are a few boxing addresses to get your boxing autograph collection up and running.

Aguiniga, Jose
Top Rank, Inc.
3980 Howard Hughes Pkwy., Suite 580
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Ahunanya, Friday
Don King Productions, Inc.
968 Pinehurst Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Akinwande, Henry
Don King Productions, Inc.
968 Pinehurst Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Ali, Laila
Trident Media Group
41 Madison Ave., 33rd Fl.
New York, NY 10010

Ali, Muhammad
Ali Farm
P.O. Box 187
Berrien Sprigs, MI 49103

Alvarado, Mike
Top Rank, Inc.
3980 Howard Hughes Pkwy., Suite 580
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Alvarez, Rosendo
Don King Productions, Inc.
968 Pinehurst Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Arango, Jairo
Don King Productions, Inc.
968 Pinehurst Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Arias, George
Don King Productions, Inc.
968 Pinehurst Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Ashira, Evans Oure
Don King Productions, Inc.
968 Pinehurst Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Austin, Tim
Don King Productions, Inc.
968 Pinehurst Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Ayala, Paulie
Top Rank, Inc.
3980 Howard Hughes Pkwy., Suite 580
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Azille, Louis
Don King Productions, Inc.
968 Pinehurst Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Bailey, Randall
Don King Productions, Inc.
968 Pinehurst Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Ballogou, Zafarou
Don King Productions, Inc.
968 Pinehurst Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Barros, Lino
Banner Promotions
1231 Bainbridge St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147

Bean, Butter
The National Organization of Professional Athletes
1806 Watermere Lane
Windermere, FL 34786

Beck, Owen
Don King Productions, Inc.
968 Pinehurst Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Bentt, Michael
Athlete Source
P.O. Box 233
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

Berrio, Alejandro
Don King Productions, Inc.
968 Pinehurst Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Biggs, Tyrell
Zane Management, Inc.
Land Title Building, 100 S. Broad St., Suite 630
Philadelphia, PA 19110

Blocus, Josue
Don King Productions, Inc.
968 Pinehurst Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Bojado, Francisco
Main Events
811 Totowa Rd., #100
Totowa, NJ 07512

Bolanos, Luis Francisco
Don King Productions, Inc.
968 Pinehurst Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Bracho, Felix
Don King Productions, Inc.
968 Pinehurst Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Bradley, Lonnie
Don King Productions, Inc.
968 Pinehurst Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Brewster, Lamon
Don King Productions, Inc.
968 Pinehurst Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Brock, Calvin
Main Events
811 Totowa Rd., #100
Totowa, NJ 07512

Brown, Cathy
SFX Sports Group (Europe) Ltd.
35/36 Grosvenor St.
London, W1K 4QX

Burgos, Jose Victor
Don King Productions, Inc.
968 Pinehurst Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Byers, Jesse
Banner Promotions
1231 Bainbridge St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147

Byrd, Chris
Don King Productions, Inc.
968 Pinehurst Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89109

The information in this article is to be used for informational purposes only. It doesn’t guarantee a response and should never be used in an attempt to personally visit an athlete. If you want to purchase authentic signed boxing collectibles, including Everlast gloves, robes and a post, consider visiting the International Boxing Hall of Fame website at http://www.ibhof.com. A certificate of authenticity is included with every boxing item.

Whip Yourself into Shape with Boxing Fitness

Everyone seems to be concerned with their health these days. And with good reason, since the advent of processed foods and the degree of pollution in our cities, people’s health can really be in danger. To help combat these problems, health improvement facilities like gyms and spas have popped up on every street. But since traditional exercises are not really enjoyable many people prefer activities that allow them to have fun while keeping fit.

Hiking, ballroom dancing, rock climbing, and biking are just a few examples of recreational activities that can also be enjoyable. Sports, weight training, and martial arts have also become popular ways of trimming down. One type of martial art type of exercise program which you might want to try is boxing fitness.

You might think of boxing as a violent sport. Professional boxing as seen in television is a dangerous sport reserved for athletes who train extensively to get in shape for their bouts. But unknown to most it can also be a satisfying and effective form of workout.

Boxing fitness involves hours of diligent training, cardio workout out and can even teach you additional self-defense. Boxing fitness improves your, flexibility, agility, stamina and coordination. You don’t necessarily have to go as far as fighting in the ring but a little sparring mixed in your routine can make for a fantastic workout.

Besides being a lot of fun boxing fitness also improves your self-defense skills. One look at professional boxers shows you that training allows you withstand punishment and give back as much as well. Today’s world can be quite dangerous and learning a practical martial art like boxing can really be useful. While you might not turn into the next Mike Tyson you can be good enough to keep your self safe on the street.

If you want to try it you can try local gyms to see if they have a boxing fitness program. If none are available you can hop online and do a search for “boxing fitness” to find a program and gym that are convenient for you. Put on those boxing gloves now and punch your way into an exciting way to be healthy.

Who Will Win - Joe Calzaghe or Mikkel Kessler?

When Joe Calzaghe (43-0, 32 KOs) and Mikkel Kessler (39-0, 29 KOs) meet for the super middleweight title this Saturday from Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, HBO will be kicking off its first, of three, mega-fights to close out the year (Mosley-Cotto and Mayweather-Hatton are the other two). Of all three fights, this prediction is the hardest to make. However, I will not deviate from my blueprint on picking successful boxing match winners.

COMPETITION

As boxing's current longest-reigning world champion, Joe Calzaghe has faced and defeated various boxing styles, defeating current and former super middleweight contenders like Robin Reid (26-1-1*), Byron Mitchell (25-2-1*) and Jeff Lacy (21-0*). The undefeated Mikkel Kessler's record is not too shabby either, as he has vanquished formidable foes like Anthony Mundine (23-2*), Markus Beyer (34-2-1*) and Librado Andrade (24-0*).

ADVANTAGE: CALZAGHE

Calzaghe's overall body of work, highlighted by his career-defining victory over Jeff Lacy, give him the edge here.

DEFENSE

The fact that both fighters are undefeated, have never been seriously hurt in the ring, and have not had a controversial victory on their record, it's quite clear that both have strong defenses and chins. Being the natural counter-puncher, Calzaghe focuses on defense first. Being the natural aggressor, Kessler focuses on offense first - overwhelming opponents with pressure and power punching. In Kessler's world, a good offense is the best defense.

ADVANTAGE: CALZAGHE

Fighting many big punchers (Kessler being the latest), Calzaghe has generally dodged (excluding a flash knockdown he suffered at the hands of Byron Mitchell in 2003) the biggest bombs launched his way. Kessler is well-schooled, keeps his hands high and has never been knocked, but the advantage still goes to Calzaghe.

FOOTWORK

This bout is very difficult to predict because both fighters are boxer-punchers, with differing styles. One (Calzaghe) uses his fleet feet to manipulate distance and create counter-punching opportunities, while the other (Kessler) primarily uses his feet to cut off the ring and plant to let off his power punches.

CLEAR ADVANTAGE: CALZAGHE

Unless Calzaghe gets old overnight and "loses his legs" (which is a possibility), he will clearly have the footwork advantage.

HAND SPEED

One need not look any further than Joe Calzaghe's domination of knockout artist Jeff Lacy over a year ago to know what kind of hand speed that he brings to the table. That fistic masterpiece was the perfect storm of defense, foot speed, hand speed and ring generalship. Kessler has deceptively fast hands, but his calling cards are his physical strength, power and relentlessness.

CLEAR ADVANTAGE: CALZAGHE

While Kessler is a very competent boxer-puncher, he'll be facing the fastest opponent that he has ever faced, and one of the fastest in boxing in Calzaghe.

LOCALE

Calzaghe, known as "The Pride of Wales," will be fighting on his home turf while Kessler will be fighting in hostile territory. We all know the effect that this can have on the judges, especially in a fight that goes to the scorecards.

CLEAR ADVANTAGE: CALZAGHE

Sometimes fighting in front of one's hometown or native land, can lead a boxer to: try and impress his fans, fight more aggressively than originally planned, and open themselves up to be knocked out (e.g. Cory Spinks hometown KO loss to Zab Judah in St. Louis, Missouri). However, Calzaghe is too smart for that. He has successfully gone the distance numerous times at home, and is not worried about how he wins, but simply that he wins. Realizing this, Kessler will likely press the action even more than usual, which is right up his alley anyway.

It looks like a Calzaghe blowout in the making? On paper it sure looks like it, but Michael Jordan once said that paper doesn't win championships. In my mind, Calzaghe should win, based on the advantages I have outlined above, but one cannot discount Kessler's determination, punching power and will. I sure do not; but I am still picking Joe Calzaghe to unify the super middleweight title over twelve competitive rounds. Someone's "0" has to got go, and the guess here is that it will be Kessler's.

Is Rooting For Boxers Based On Nationality Wrong?

My answer to the title of this post is not a simple one. In many ways, rooting for a fighter based on where s/he comes from, especially if that place is your birthplace, hometown or country, is a common practice that has taken place for centuries across many sports. From the Olympics to the World Cup, rooting for athletes because they share a common ancestry or nationality with you is not only accepted, it is often endorsed by the countries that participate. Do I think that rooting for a boxer based on such criteria is acceptable? Well, yes and no. It is my belief that once you begin rooting for a fighter based on traits that have nothing to do with their individual skill or talent, you may be headed down a path that was not originally intended. At best, this road can be filled with nationalism; at its worst, it can reek of jingoism.

Here are the reasons why I think caution must be applied when rooting for fighters based on nationality:

1) "It's us versus them." Due to the individual, one-on-one nature of the sport, boxing fans often form a personal bond with their favorite fighters that is rivaled by few sports. Anyone who has ever watched a Manny Pacquiao fight, where proud Filipino fans are rooting on their national hero to vanquish his latest Mexican challenger, or a Ricky Hatton fight, at which many rabid British fans have traveled thousands of miles to see their pride and joy lay a beatdown on an American fighter, it is clear that while boxing matches often represent avenues for fans to express national pride, they can also lend themselves to fans expressing an "us versus them" mentality in how they view the match in particular, and the sport in general.

2) "We're good at this; they're good at that." How many times have you watched a boxing broadcast and heard an announcer say something like, "Mexicans can take a great punch," or "British fighters fight very conventional, sometimes too conventional." Like all stereotypes, some of these assessments have hints of the truth, but cannot be applied to each an every case. For every iron-chinned Mexican boxer (e.g. Julio Cesar Chavez, Sr.), there are glass-chinned ones (e.g. Fernando Vargas). For every conventional British boxer (e.g. Lennox Lewis), there have been fluid, unorthodox ones (e.g. Naseem Hamed). If you bet on Jeff Lacey (American) to beat Joe Calzaghe (British) a couple of years ago, I don't need to tell you why stereotyping fighters is not only a bad philosophy, it can also lighten your wallet.

3) "They fight, so we must fight." In rare cases, the conflicts that take place in the ring between the fighters themselves lead to violent confrontations between the fans watching the fight (like the ugly ringside brawl at the Riddick Bowe (American) and Andrew Golota (Poland) heavyweight fight back in 1996). In short, the individual battle in the ring can occasionally lead to a group battle outside of it. Sadly, many soccer fans are well aware of this unfortunate phenomenon.

Rooting for fighters who represent "us" is natural and, for many, a source of pride. However, if taken too far, this pride can lead to division, stereotyping and, in rare cases, violence. I leave you with a few words of advice on this matter: simply enjoy boxing for its entertainment value; respect its gladiators for their courage and skill, and root for the best boxer to win regardless of where s/he comes from. It's a nifty little concept that has enhanced my viewing pleasure over the years.

One Of The Oldest Myths In Boxing Training

Lifting heavy weights will make you slow, is a myth that has been around for many years. It doesn't sound like it's going to be dying anytime soon either. This myth comes from coaches who know nothing about exercise physiology, and strength/conditioning. Ask any coach, what is there main goal in training a fighter? Their answer usually is, to make their fighter faster, and more powerful. The fact of the matter is, that most fighters are bloody weak! These coaches don't understand, that to get fast, you first have to be strong. To be strong, you have to lift heavy weights. They also fail to understand ,that strength and speed, are prerequisites of power. So to be powerful, you have to be strong and fast.

Now don't get me wrong, if you do nothing but lift heavy weights, they can make you slow. The key is though, you must combine speed strength exercises with your strength training, to increase the rate of force development. This combination of training means, will then make you more explosive. The thing I question is, don't you increase your rate of force development hitting the speed and double end bag? Yes you do. Keep in mind, by rate of force development, I'm talking about how fast you move an object. The key here, is how fast.

So even doing eight weeks of a base strength training block won't make you slow. You can then add more speed strength exercises in the next block, or plyometric exercise in conjunction with strength training, to increase the RFD.

The results of adding these training means is, is a fighter who is truly faster, and stronger. strength training will also prevent injury's. It's beyond the scope of this article to discuss how strength training can prevent injury's. I hope I've shed some light on this old wives tale for you. The next time you hear a boxing coach say lifting heavy weights will make you slow, you will know the truth, and the ignorance he is spreading.

It All Starts With Footwork In Boxing Training

It amazes me nowadays on how many trainers fail to teach proper footwork. Many trainers have it backwards, thinking boxing starts from top to bottom. The truth is, boxing starts from the ground up. Footwork is everything. Great footwork will put you in position to punch, and allow you to elude a punch at the same time. This is called in and out boxing. Fighters that have poor footwork are easier to hit. They're also easy to outbox. So what if you have great hands, what's the use if you can't use your feet?

Young fighters must be taught proper footwork before punching. The better their footwork, the better their punching will be. Fighters often get out of position do to the way they move. Proper footwork drills work best to remedy this.They must be taught how to move, while still being in position to punch. That's how boxing is defined. To hit, and not be hit, yet still being in position to land a punch. That's the sweet science. Fighters who lack proper foot work look ridiculously out of rhythm. It was said, that Ali would move around for over an hour before touching a bag. Now you see why he had such nimble feet.

You must work on good foot work. Certainly you don't want to turn a puncher into a boxer. You do want a puncher to have solid footwork though. This will allow him to get in better position to punch, and allow him to punch of a solid base. This then will result in more knock outs for the fighter. Just having the fighter move around the ring for 4-6 rounds, while doing nothing but moving, will work wonders for his footwork. The fighter will find his rhythm. He will feel more comfortable moving around.

In ending, I hope I shed some light on going back to the basics and working of the most important boxing fundamental there is. Footwork, and boxing does start from the ground up.

Your Boxing Questions Answered

Boxing is a sport that some argue vehemently over. It may be considered a violent outlet of aggression that is rigged and the winner is known before the bout begins.

But for other individuals, it is a sport that involves true skills and a testament to the fighting spirit of the human soul. Humanity has been fighting since our first steps began on the evolutionary ladder and will likely to continue.

The sport has fully integrated itself into the world of sports and even has its own celebrities that titillate our urge to gossip and watch their lives like a hawk.

Hopefully the information in this article will address some of the basics of this great sport and will help you make up your mind about the sport.

When did boxing begin?

Boxing dates back to the Ancient Greeks but was initially called Pugilism. There were many forms of the fighting style, some of which were deadly and many of which has made its way into Greek literature. It was the Greeks that first introduced the sport into the Olympic Games but later also removed them.

Other cultures, such as the Chinese and the Europeans, took up the sport as a way to entertain the masses. It has also been used in pubs and bars throughout the world as a means to settle disagreements though that type of bare-knuckle fighting is more akin to street fighting than it is to the sport of boxing.

In 1908 amateur and collegiate boxing was once gain admitted entry as an official event in the Olympic Games.

What are the rules in boxing?

The rules of this sport can be pretty complex and differ according to which organization the boxer is a member of. Some of the standard rules are no hitting below the belt, no biting, no kicking and not using gloves that contain metal or weight.

How long does a boxing round go?

A typical round lasts for three minutes at the professional level. Amateurs fight in two minute rounds.

Can anyone learn how to box?

Anyone can learn to box provided they have some mobility. Boxing is a very rigorous sport and there is a lot of stress put onto the joints and bones in the arms and legs. Many people have turned to this sport as a way to exercise since it works all parts of the body.

Before beginning boxing it is important to consult your physician to make sure there is nothing that would hinder your decision to learn how to box. The next step is finding a good gym or trainer and beginning your program.

Is boxing considered self-defense?

Yes, in some ways it could be considered self-defense but would not be advisable since it is a hand-to-hand combat that is of no use to someone who is armed.

It has been used many times in school yard brawls and bar fights but would not typically be used as a primary self-defense.

What are the dangers of boxing?

Boxing can result in brain damage and fatalities. It is common for life-long fighters to develop brain damage after a long period of competing.

Why? Because you are taking repeated hits to the face and even with gloves, the impact is severe. There is also damage taken to the stomach and the ribs as well.