You need more than a mean punch to be a good boxer – you also need proper footwork. No matter how fast and lithe you are, you won’t last long in a match if you can’t coordinate your feet. Good footwork helps you keep your balance, dodge blows, and stay on your feet if you get hit.

A pair of high-quality boxing shoes can greatly improve your footwork and keep you up to speed. Here are some things to look for when choosing boxing shoes:

Material and construction

You will be jumping around a lot in your boxing shoes, so they must be made from breathable, lightweight materials. Most boxing shoes use suede and leather uppers, with little or no support for the heel and forefoot. They also don’t have treading, but they do have non-slip outsoles to keep you from tumbling down the ring. Leather shoes are more expensive, but they provide maximum comfort and ventilation. Go for a leather pair if you have money to spare or if you plan to train professionally.

Ring Fashion

Boxing shoes also come in different designs and colors. But like the age-old adage of shoe shopping, make sure that it fits you perfectly. Although function is more important in athletic shoes, anyone can feel more confident knowing they at least look good in the ring.

When trying on boxing shoes, it is advisable to walk around and feel for any discomfort in the arches, toes, and/or heels. Also, choose the best boxing shoe type for you: low top ones fit like the ordinary running shoes, while the high top kind has a laced top that reaches the shins. If you are not comfortable with the high top boxing shoes, then go for the low top kind.

Picky Guide has a complete guide to boxing shoes. Picky Guide is one of the fastest growing online magazines giving free consumer advice and product information.

You’ve got to first know that I’ve been watching lots and lots of old Muhammad Ali videos. By movies I mean fight videos, and yes, even Hollywood scripts. But, getting back to the subject; Why have I been doing this, (watching these old videos), I mean?

Keep in mind I’m an old boxing wanna be. During my younger years, (and older years in my dreams), I would get into the ring and give it all I had. I’m talking pretty serious stuff here. All amateur fights. But, I dreamed of being a professional fighter. If the competition had, in my time, been what it is today, I might have done pretty well. But, I regress; The subject here is why I watch these old Muhammad Ali videos.

It is because there is magic in watching these old great fighters do their jobs. I’m not kidding about this, not in the least. The only reason it’s obvious to me that they are mortal men, is because they all got old. But, maybe that’s part of the magic?

Maybe I’m crazy. But, when I’m feeling overcome with the tedious aspects of this life - I put on an old Muhammad Ali video, (VHS, no less). Then, like magic, I feel a glimmer of the spark that was in my heart not so long ago. And to my wife’s consternation, I start dancing around the living room, throwing straight left jabs through the air. Then, for just a little while, I’m that strong young amateur that is going to be another Muhammad Ali!

When we all get to heaven, and btw, all fighters are going to heaven; I’m going to ask Ali, and Big George and Smokin’ Joe, if I can run with them. We’ll be young again and running against the wind. Hey maybe we’ll have to ask ole’ Bob Seger to run with us.? I’m pretty sure he’s a fighter at heart too!

So, after reading this short little story I think you get the idea of WHY I watch these old Muhammad Ali Videos. There’s a possiblity I watch too many.

D. LaLonde, aka loudsam is just happy to still be breathin’ in and out at. . .
http://muhammad-ali-posters-pics.com

A world champion boxer did not attain his title overnight. He passed through different stages of boxing to become a professional boxer that qualifies to fight internationally. Although most boxers have innate talents of the sport, it is important to understand the basics before competing with the real deal.

Amateur boxing allows younger men and women to explore the world of boxing not only to become a professional boxer, but also to develop confidence, discipline and focus that every young person should build up. Amateur boxing teaches the fundamentals of the sport, such as basic defense, proper stance, good balance and offensive techniques while conditioning and training the arms, legs and body to fit a boxing match.

If young boxers choose to participate in amateur boxing, parents should not worry because the Amateur Boxing Association of England has implemented various safety measures and different scoring systems, rules, regulations and safety guidelines for younger athletes to prevent severe injuries caused by hard beating.

Rules And Scoring Of Amateur Boxing

A young boxer aged twelve to sixteen can train or compete with other children of the same age in amateur fights. For all young boxers that will participate in local fights, the games will fall under the jurisdiction of the local sports amateur body or the Amateur Boxing Association of England. On the other hand, international boxing matches will be under the International Amateur Boxing Association.

Since amateur boxing associations protect younger boxers, specific rules for amateurs have been pre-set for all matches, regardless of local or international bouts. Boxers are assigned with either blue or red strips. Both boxers should participate in the match by wearing protective headgear. The gloves of young boxers should weigh ten ounces with a white strip on the central hitting area, covering the knuckles.

Compared to professional boxing that uses knockout blows for scoring, the winner of an match is determined by point scoring. Most bouts are fast and actions of boxers are furious because the competitors are limited to only four 2-minute rounds, instead of the standard 12-round matches for professional boxing.

The winner of a boxing match is the competitor with the highest points, unless the referee decides to stop the bout before the final bell. If the points of both young boxers are the same, the best score and worst score given to each boxer by the five judges is deducted from the total score. The winner will be whoever has the most points from the other three judges.

The ABA Golden Gloves

The first “Schoolboy Championships” was held around February of 1920 because of resistance within UK boxing. Meaning, even boxing matches held for secondary school children experienced some kind of restrictions. With the Schoolboy Championships, amateur boxing are divided into juniors and seniors’ weights. The second Championships were also held in December of the same year.

When the London Schools ABA (Amateur Boxing Association) was formed in 1922, the Schools Amateur Boxing Association followed around 1946. When the ABA and ABA county associations met in July 16, 1946, they decided that the annual Schoolboy Championships continued under the guidance of the Schools ABA.

The Schools ABA focused on promoting the development of young boxers, providing guidance of techniques, judging and proper conduct during bouts, improving facilities for young boxers in various schools and arranging the annual “Schoolboy Championships”.

In 2004, the annual championships were returned under the jurisdiction of the Amateur Boxing Association of England (ABAE). With the change of management, the age range was also reduced by allowing 15-year-olds move on to Junior ABA Championships. Due to the changes brought to the yearly championships, the “Schoolboy Championships” was also re-launched as “The Golden Gloves”, which continue to held annual competitions for young boxers.

For UK boxing news, views and reviews visit Amateur Boxing Forum. 4 nations updates from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland plus details on the new in-print magazine Amateur Boxing Forum.