GUIDE TO STARTING BOXING IN TORONTO (OR ANYWHERE)
Welcome to another guide to Boxing in Toronto.
This one will be a bit different. I will not be rating or ranking the boxing gyms this time.
This will be a guide on how to get started in boxing..Even if you don't live in Southern Ontario you may find this guide helpful as it will take you through the steps of how to become a competitive boxer that can be applied almost anywhere.
Please now enjoy "The Brick's" Guide To Boxing -- Fourth Edition
So you wanna be a boxer?
The first question you should ask your self is, "Are you sure you wanna be a boxer?"
I say that because boxing is not like other sports.
It is not only the oldest sport but also the most difficult. Both ESPN and MSN have deemed boxing as the the most demanding sport in the world. Even within the top 10 the rank between sports is different between ESPN and MSN, but both placed boxing at number one.
That means that if you wanna be a boxer, you have to be ready.
Boxing requires stamina, hand-eye coordination, speed and agility.
SO YOU WANNA BE A BOXER?
I personally don't recommend trying boxing if it has been a while since you have been exercising.
You should start slowly and work your way into it. Of course, if you are already in spectacular shape, it may be okay to jump right into boxing. However, just like any exercise program you should get clearance from your physician first.
I will give you an idea of how boxers train later in this article, but first you need to find a coach and trainer. This process is probably the most time-consuming part of your start to a boxing career.The search for a good coach takes time. You may even have to try working with a few before you find one you can connect with.
Here are some tips on how to search for a coach: Attend some local amatuer boxing shows and study the coaches. Look at how they intereact with their athletes and also with the officials.
Once you find one you are interested in, try to get feedback from the althetes who are already working with that particular coach.
From there you should collect information about the boxing club where that coach works. Location is important and also the hours. Some boxing gyms have very limited hours.
Now, if you like the coach and the gym, make an arrangement to meet the coach at the gym.
I always like to notify the coach in advance that I would like to meet him, instead of just walking into the gym unannounced.
Some notes about coaches and gyms.
From my own experience, many coaches do not like coaching Masters division boxers. This category is for athletes over the age of 35. I found many coaches ignore or only provide absolute bare-minimum guidance to Masters. The reason for this is unclear, but I have heard a few reasons floating around. The reason is not important, but finding a Masters-friendly gym and coach is part of the searching process if you fall into that category.
Also, for everyone, avoid gyms that appear to be "commercialized". I find that the best coaches are those at gyms that are run by a non-profit organization. This is not to say that you won't find a good coach at other boxing gyms as well. I guess what I mean is to avaoid gyms that "OVER-commercialized".
Also try to avoid "boxing gyms" that also offer fitness-only classes. Try to locate a real boxing gym. They are getting harder to find but still exist. The so-called boxing gyms that also offer fitness classes tend to lean focus on the fitness and less on the boxing. To get the best boxing experience the gym should be focused only on boxing or fitness classes that are directly related to boxing.
Okay, so you have spent two months or so finding your ideal coach and boxing gym, now what?
Now, you start the fun part. Your training regiment.
Your coach will first guide you on what gear you will need for training and also what your training will involve.
Generally speaking, if you are a beginner you will need to take basic boxing classes before anything else. The length of time you will need to spend as a beginner will depend on how fast you learn. Follow the guidance of your coach.
Training is generally 60 to 90 minutes per day for at least three times per week, but to take it seriously, I recommend going five times a week.
The sessions will almost always contain tradional exercises, weight training, technical drills, and cardio. Technical drills may include target-pad work, shadow boxing, and non-contact sparring.
A note on sparring.
After you have been at the gym a few times, and you notice others in the ring doing real sparring, you will for sure want to try it.
One misconception about boxing is that you can step in off the street and right into the ring to spar. That is the furthest thing from the truth. Beginners are not allowed to spar full-contact. Generally, you will need to be assessed by the coach to see if you are ready. Even then, there is an administrative process involved.
This is the point where you begin the process of becoming a boxer.
You will need to register yourself as a competitive athlete with your sanctioning organization. For example, in the province of Ontario, the organizatin that sanctions boxing is Boxing Ontario. Contrary to popular belief, Boxing Ontario is not a government organization. It is a non-profit organization that is licensed by the government to oversee the sport of boxing in Ontario.
There used to be two such organizations. Up until 2017, there was also the Ontario Boxing Association. The OBA was an extension of the World Boxing Council. It also had different rules from that of Boxing Ontario. However in 2017, the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sport revoked the OBA's license after a change in the laws governing combat sports in Ontario. The decisition was made amongst concerns over althete safety.
In addition to sanctioning boxing in Ontario, Boxing Ontario is also responsible for providing insurance for its athletes. Many Ontarians don't know this, but the Ontario public heath insurance does not cover sports injuries. The sanctioning organizations are legally required to provide injury insurance for all of their athletes.
When you are ready, your coach will explain the process required to register yourself with your repective sanction.
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| USA Boxing Master's passbook |
Once registgered, you will receive a passbook, which many mistake as a license. It is not a license. Licenses are issued by the government. Your boxer's passbook is your boxing passport. Everytime you step into the ring to compete, an official signs off in your book. It also contains all of your previous opponents and the results.
However, a passbook is also required for full-contact sparring. It is your proof that you have insurance coverage, which is required for full-contact sparring.
Now you are ready for your first sparring session. I won't lie. Your first time sparring wil be scary.
I always have said, once you have sparred the first time and come back again, you can call yourself a boxer.
Once you are used to sparring, you should spar as much as possible but not over-do it.
As with everything else, follow your coach's guidance when it comes to sparring.
If your coach tells you "no more sparring", it is for your own good. That being said, your coach may want you spar more. It may be that he feels that you need more work or he wants to evaluate your performance.
In all cases, always listen to your coach.
The boxing sanction will place you into a category.
If you chose to do more than just sparring and want to compete, the category you are placed in will determine who your opponents will be and any specific rules for your division.
For example, some divisions have shorter rounds or use a different sized gloves.
There are also different weight classes. Also, right now only in Ontario, there are age categories within the weight classes. This began in 2007 when Boxing Ontario started receiving complaints about there being too much age difference in the boxers. Although, age really doesn't matter that much, Boxing Ontario created the age categories anyway, so now there is a maximum age spread between boxers amongst everything else.
The age spread is 10 years for most divisions.
There is also a Novice and an Open category for the Elite and Masters divisions.
Up to and including 10 bouts you are a Novice and can only have another Novice as an opponent. In tournaments, they spit that category into Novice and Sub-novice. The latter being boxers with only up to five bouts.
After 10 bouts, you become Open. The rules are slightly different and your rounds will be longer. It also means that your opponents will only be Open with no limit on the number of bouts.
Boxing Ontraio boxer's classifications (may apply to other jurisdictions as well):
Elite (19-34) Novice: 3x2 rounds, Open: 3x3 rounds
Masters (35+) Novice: 3x1.5 rounds Open 3x2 rounds
Female (19-34) Novice: 3x2 rounds Open: 4x2 rounds
Boxers 11 - 18 are classed as Youth or Junior A,B,C depening on age.
Initiation division for ages 8-10 are exhibition bouts only called 'Funbox'.
Novice bouts are resticted to a maximum of three Standing-8 counts per bout.
Masters division uses 16 oz. gloves in all competition bouts.
That is how you start yourself in boxing.
Also, talk to other boxers as well. Boxers who have been in it for a while can be very helpful in getting new people involved in the sport.
MORE INFO:
Boxing Sanctions
Boxing Ontario (Local Sanction)
Boxe Quebec (Local Sanction)
Boxing BC (Local Sanction)
Boxing Alberta (Local Sanction)
USA Boxing (United States Sanctioning Body)
Boxing Canada (National Team Sanction)
Government
Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sport
Not-For-Profit Boxing Clubs (Ontario)
Cabbagetown Boxing Club (Toronto) [Master's friendly]
Corcoran's Boxing Club (Peterborough) [Formerly BEL Boxing Club]
McGrory's Boxing Club (Hamilton)
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