Sign into an existing account

In my 20s I was an amateur boxer. Was trained by a former army boxing champion and he had me do really basic drills like the balance beam and ring movement for the first 6 months without even hitting the bag. That's just what they did back in those days, build a technical boxer before you get to punch. It was kind of frustrating but honestly was very useful because I didn't trip over myself awkwardly like a lot of other heavyweights at the time did.

Anyhow being a tall athletic muscular heavyweight who could move well, I could not find sparring partners where I was living. Everyone in that area who boxed were Italian or Hispanic so they were all 5'10 and under. Heavyweights who were at my beginning level were all shorter fat guys who lived to eat. They refused to spar.

That being said my coach did finally find a few people who were game. Only problem is, they were all professional fighters. One guy for example was literally a UFC heavyweight fighter known for knockout power and another guy was a regional contender who competed across several states in boxing.

Needless to say while I never got knocked out or seriously fucked up, they kicked my ass. I hated sparring the first 6 sessions. Was basically learning how to block and take a hit. They couldn't get me to quit with head strikes so they learned to go to the body.

Eventually though, I learned it's a simple matter to counter guys who get excited and start winging punches. The jab keeps them from coming in. Started putting them on the ropes by slipping and throwing a straight right with my better reach.

The skills I learned eventually got me to the golden gloves championship which I won by decision. Not an impressive title in my state by any means but it was a good accomplishment.

Decided not to pursue boxing professionally because I saw how the gym owners son who was a former pro was kinda permanently punch drunk from his time as a contender.

Still it was a great lesson in persistence and those lessons of taking a beating and learning from it stuck with me and helped me later in life.