Boxing

[lowsweep]

I am interested in studying western boxing, and I have found a place to take it. However, I have talked to several docters, and almost all say it is going to give me brain damage. I think there is a misconception between training boxing and holyfield and tyson hammering each other to a pulp. I am wondering if the training for boxing includes taking lots of head shots, how long do you train before you start to get hit a lot, and how dangerous is amateur boxing? Amatuer boxing has headgear and it's for points, you don't have to kill the other guy, but still, it looks like most amateur boxers are trying to knock you out with every shot from what I have seen. Also, how effective is the headgear worn by amateur boxers? If I do take boxing, I will probably not be competing as my parents are very much against it (not against full contact sparring, though, go figure). If I just train and do little or no competing, am I still going to get a whole lot of brain damage?
thanks,
adam

[Budokan]

If you wear appropriate headgear and follow safety precautions, you should be okay.

[wufupaul]

I had the same type of questions before I started to train in full contact for awhile. I asked a teacher I had, a clinical neuropsychologist about it. He said that getting hit at all, even lightly over a long period of time can cause damage. Of course, I wasn't getting whacked in the head with a bat, so I wasn't too worried about it. I think that getting hit in the head every once in a while won't cause too much damage, at least I hope not, haha.

[Cyborg]

uhh, i dont c wut da big deal is guys. i been boxing fer a long time and i ain't no worse for it! Just kidding! Practice smart and don't take too much, quit if it gets bad. It's great fun and I learned alot from it.

[shaolinboxer]

Boxing does not necessarily lead to brain damage, especially if you are not trying to become a pro but rather just develop technique.

I also recommend NOT borrowing gloves. You could get infections on your hands (I have).

Boxing is great fun! Enjoy!

[Spark]

I BAX AL THE TAME AN ME BRAN IS STIL GUD

[Kristoffer]

its good for ya

[SevenStar]

Funny thing about boxing gloves....they actually increase trauma to the head, and the possibility of brain damage.

I would say, as with most things, do it in moderation. The training itself is not going to give you brain damage - it's continually sparring at full contact. That will happen with any art if you are constantly going at it full contact. Spar at about 30-40% and only go all out once a month or so.

[Mr Nunchaku]

This is really a joke more than anything, but I really would like to know the answer to this.

In boxing, are backfists legal? How about spinning backfists?

Are knife and ridge hands legal (it is hard to form a knife or ridge hand with the gloves but the motion can be applied)? Basically, is any formation of the hand allowed other than the punch?

Are stances legal (like front, back middle etc)?

Is jump attacking allowed (like leaping forward and doing a downward punch as you land on the opponent's head)?

Here's the big question. Are blocks, parries and evasive attacks of that such allowed in boxing?

If so, I wonder what people think if a boxer did all this stuff.

[GunnedDownAtrocity]

backfists are not legal. any motion of the arm resembeling a back fist is not legal, though im not sure what the penelties are.

i assume you can use any stance you wish, but i don't know of any more practical than the boxers front fighting stance for boxing.

i don't think you are allowed to jump at your opponent.

blocks and evasive movements are absolutely legal. havent you ever heard the phrase bob and weave?

[Ford Prefect]

Just to add to the answer:

You are allowed to jump at somebody if you feel inclined as well as stay in stances. You can block and parry, but you can't trap or impede the your opponents arms by holding, etc.

[Badger]

Don't go into a deep stance against a Boxer,you will be eaten alive.

From my experience backfists,reverse punches & ridgehands are not that effective esp. with gloves on.
For self-defense I find a hammerfist is better than a backfist,The cross is better than the reverse punch & A palm slap is better & safer than a ridgehand.

In Boxing you want to keep it simple,fast,accurate & powerful.Hands up & chin down.






Badger

[Shooter]

What Ford Perfect said....Frazier comes to mind as someone who used the leaping hook to good effect.

[fmann]

You can clinch, but that's only for defensive and resting purposes, to break the rhythm of the opponent. Good boxers can tie up the arms of their opponents and buy time.

As for punches, backfists are illegal, but i think knife hand type techniques could be gotten away with (with gloves on) since they could appear to be poorly structured hooks.

[Paul]

but i think knife hand type techniques could be gotten away with (with gloves on) since they could appear to be poorly structured hooks.

why not just throw a proper hook? that's what I would do.