Boxing coaches who have never boxed before are more common today
than ever before. They have no idea what the boxer is thinking whenever
he/she competes. Nor do they have any idea how it feels to get hit,
pivot, counter, or give angles. 99.9% cannot even give you the definition
of boxing. It would not be too far off to say that 80% of coaches have
never actually been boxers. Some have had a few amateur bouts, but most
have not even had “that much” experience. “Why not?” you ask. Answer:
It’s not necessary. In order to be an amateur coach, you must pay a $35
fee and take a “common sense” test at a coaches’ clinic. To be a
professional coach, it’s about the same cost and no test at all.
I’ll tell you some changes that need to be made in boxing. I’ll do
so, knowing that some of you out there, who have “conned” your way into
boxing, will not like it. But who cares what you think, anyway? We need
more testing, especially in the “practical” aspects of our sport. If
you cannot teach, you should not coach. This is not Little League
Baseball!!! When parents come into your boxing gym with their kid, they are
not bringing you their kid, so that you can make him/her into punching
bag. Boxing’s “winners” are determined by which boxers put knots all over
the other boxers’ heads. I am very sure that every kid’s parents want
their kid to be the winner. Do you not owe it to the parents, the kids,
and yourself to learn all you can about the sport and how to teach it?
Would you want a baseball coach, who has never played baseball, to

 

teach your kid how to play shortstop? I doubt it. I am sure that you would
not want your kid to be taught to box by someone who has never boxed
before. The pros are even worse. When Tyson fought Buster Douglas, he had
a guy in his corner who had never cornered a fight in his life. Just
because someone works a corner on television, does not mean he knows what
he is doing. I will not name names, but many work for the promoter.
They are there because they have replaced the person who the promoter
thought was too protective of his boxer. The boxer has “sold out” the real
coach for the money the promoter has paid him. This is a cruel sport.
One could actually say that the more knowledge and experience you have
in the sport, the more expendable you are. I know trainers in this
country who have forgotten more about boxing than the people you see in the
corners on television ever knew. How do you cure the problems? It’s
probably not even possible. The big promoters will be there until they
die. Then their kids will take over. Fighters (with few exceptions) will
always sell their trainers down the drain. The con men have now taken
over. The best advice I can give a young boxing coach is that you should
learn all you can about teaching, and never train a boxer without a
contract. Go to work with a promoter. Most importantly, PLAY DUMB!!
I have known very few “real” boxing guys. What is a real boxing
guy? My guess is that it is one who knows and loves the art and science
of it all, and has the ability to communicate all aspects of the sport
to others. They give credit to the sport, while not being blind to its
negatives. Teddy Atlas is also a real boxing guy. He can blend the old
with the new in boxing with honesty. Another is an old black man, who I
met while watching a workout in a gym in New York, that saw Joe Louis
win the World Heavyweight Championship and recognized what it meant to
his people. He understands our sport’s greatness! Joe Brown, Jacky
McCoy, Cuyo Hernandez, Cus Damato, Lou Duva, and George Benton are also real
boxing guys.

Today's young fighters aspiring for a successful career as a professional are presented with a wide range of opportunities and options. Most any career will demand sacrifice and, sometimes, risks. When it comes to sacrifice, it could be argued, professional boxing tops the list. To discuss all the risks and sacrifices possible would be to dwell on the negative and it wouldn't deter a single person who really wants to fight.

 

If you are going to be a professional fighter the worst thing you could do is simply turn professional and let happenstance direct your future. You should determine your own goals and lay a plan that realistically allows you an opportunity to accomplish them. Sure, you want to be world champion, but how are you going to get there.

 

If you are familiar with the television show American Idol you have seen countless participants who believe they could compete at the highest level. Their ineptitude is entertainment for us and relatively harmless to themselves, with the exception of some bruised egos. Even after total embarrassment, many participants refuse to face the facts and still believe they have the talents required. Boxing is a sport where failure to recognize your shortcomings could have disastrous results.

 

Professional boxing should not be a hobby. This applies to managers, trainers, promoters and especially fighters. You may play other sports but you do not play boxing.

 

After a serious discussion with the people you trust the most, put together a team that can best assist you in reaching your goals. Search out experienced people with successful track records, especially your trainer. Everyone believes they can train a fighter. At the level you are considering, few really can. If you can fight, true boxing people will be glad to assist you. If they are not in a personal position to assist you they will usually direct you to someone else. Do not be afraid to ask for advice. Although the common stereotype of the crooked fight manger, promoter etc. is mostly just that, a misconception, you are ultimately responsible for yourself. Do not get greedy and believe a host of empty promises. If it doesn't feel right, move on. There is no "fairy godmother" and you are not the savior of boxing. If it seems too good to be true, it is. For your plan to work it has to be realistic.

 

I would hope if you are at a level that professional boxing is a consideration, you are already aware of the dangers. (There will be an average of 10 boxing deaths per year, 7 in '05 and 4 in '06. None of these thought it would be them. The AMA estimates that 3 out of every 4 fighters with 20 bouts or more have resulting brain damage. However, more die from organized football and far more from hang gliding.)
The odds are that you will spare many more rounds than you fight in sanctioned bouts. Do not spar for stamina. You can not learn to fight anywhere but in the ring and this time is extremely valuable, so spar with deliberate purpose and focus. Never spare without talented, experienced supervision that have the knowledge and ability to take full advantage of this ring time to teach and improve your skills. There will be times you may be asked, or paid, to be a sparring partner. This is a necessary part of the sport but the same advice applies. Do not allow yourself to develop bad habits. Have a plan, focus on what you are learning and participate at a high level of intensity. Let someone else be a punching bag.

 

Stay in shape. Do not let your weight fluctuate between bouts. Your body will pay the price as you get older, forcing you to move up in weight prematurely. Early in your career opportunities will present them selves at unpredictable times. Be prepared and take advantage. You know what your good at and what your weaknesses are. The best way to improve is to constantly be improving your weakest point.

 

Boxing is different than any sport. There are no seasons, schedules or tournaments as in team sports, tennis or golf. Opponents fail to show, don't make weight or fail a physical. If a trainer told his fighter each and every time he heard an opponent was pulling out or a card may be cancelled, the emotional roller coaster would be unbearable and the fighter would never be in top shape. Don't make poor decisions because you are mad or disappointed. It is a part of the business and if you want to be a fighter you must be mature enough to take the boxing industry as a whole. Surround yourself with people you can trust and depend on them.

 

If you are successful you will be tempted to look around and discover all the people you have been listening to, all the people who have been telling you what to do, in reality, work for you. This could be the most critical point in your career. If you decide to become the boss, chances are good your career has just started its downward slide. Many fighters have been there before you, many have made this mistake.

 

The exception to the above rule is money. Do not trust anyone in boxing. My mechanic is great. I wouldn't trust my car to anyone else. That doesn't mean he can take care of my finances. You take care of your finances by keeping the money separate from boxing. There are plenty of good financial people however; none of them are in boxing. If you believe you need an entourage and can picture yourself pulling up in front of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in your humvee limo with your posse and home-boys, your money is already gone and no one can help you. Save, save, save! Do not spend money frivolously on girls, friends or family. You will be in much better shape to help others if you take care of yourself first. Along the same topic, prepare for your next career. Boxing will be much easier to quit if you have saved your money as well as prepared for your career. This one will be over soon. Do not get addicted to the press clippings; you will not be able to make a living off of who you once were.

 

Pay attention to your career. Be sure you are on track to achieve your goals. Learn to use the system. The best way to do this is through the various boxing associations. Most people see them as a nuisance and unimportant. If you are not a former Olympic gold medal winner, you better learn to use the system. Some of the associations are, let's say, "Triple A" to the major leagues; the NABF and the WBC for example. If you want to be recognized by the majors you need to perform well at AAA. Positive movement in the NABF ratings, for example, will certainly gain recognition from the WBC. Ratings people need to know you exist. Send them updates. Let them know when and who you will fight. Use the ratings as a gauge to determine how you are progressing. You can move up through the rating and get your title shot or you can fight in obscurity for years and never get your chance, risking it all for nothing.

 

Before every fight, the referee's instructions are to "protect yourself at all times". This is often the last thing you will hear before the bell rings. Why does he tell you this; for one reason, he can't protect you and is informing you it is your responsibility. This is as true in life as it is in the ring. Your success, failures and how you handle both are no ones responsibility but yours.

 

Last but not least, respect the sport and all that have been there before you. The people you meet in boxing will be your friends forever. They will never forget you and will always admire you. Do the same for them. Visit the Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota New York and pay homage to everyone responsible for making boxing the greatest sport in the world.