How to Learn to Fight in Six Months

I am a skinny Jewish kid from the suburbs. If I can learn, anyone can

I was punched in the face for the first time when I was 9 years old. The smallest kid in my bunk at sleep-away camp socked me in the cheek. I didn’t fight back. I didn’t know how. I was picked on every day after that. 20 years later I walked into a boxing gym and decided to learn how to fight.

I am a skinny Jewish kid from an affluent suburb outside of NYC. I broke a different bone in my body each year from when I was 11-17. I broke both of my wrists at the same time trying to slam dunk on a low rim when I was 12 years old. Growing up, I did everything I could to avoid violence, not that there was much in my town. I recently won my 3rd amateur fight. If I can learn how to box, anyone can.

Fighting is unnatural. Though we are desensitized to violence since we see so much in film, television and online, it is extremely rare to deal with physical confrontation IRL. This is why fighting is uncomfortable at first.

My fifth grade science teacher fought in Vietnam. He once described war as the process of getting used to being shot at. At first the sound of bullets whizzing by is terrifying, but after a few months you get used to it. The same logic applies to boxing. 

Sparring for the first time is a major adrenaline rush. It is uncomfortable and horrifying. You always wondered what you would do if you got punched in the face. Well you’re about to find out. 

Many people may disagree with me, but I think it's important to spar early on when learning how to box. Understand what a punch feels like. Learn that your body is not made out of glass and humble yourself to the depths of this sport. This shit ain’t easy. 

After you’ve taken a few punches, and know that a 2 minute round can feel like an eternity, it is time to get serious about training. First things First, get in shape. Let me break down a base level of competence:

-Run two miles a day in under 20 minutes.

-Jump rope for 10 minutes at a time.

-Shadow box for 20 minutes a day.

-Be able to do at least 25 consecutive push ups for four sets (100 total).

No fancy gym membership is needed.

Another unpopular opinion: Take group fitness boxing classes. Yes, even Rumble. Get used to throwing combos and punches with other people. Usually partner drills are incorporated in these classes. Even if they are non-contact, it is good to move with others. 

Now that you’re in shape and are used to hitting the bag, it’s time to hire a personal boxing coach. This is the major investment. Good coaches range from $35-$50/hour on the low end to $150-$300/hour on the high end. If you want to fight, this investment is necessary. Make sure your coach is good. Ask others and see who he comes recommended by. A good coach will clean up your technique and notice your weaknesses. Train 1/1 with them 2-3X week.

Spar at least 3 times a week. Many people also may disagree with this, but when you are a beginner you need experience in the ring. The hard truth is that there is no other way to get used to boxing without getting hit in the face regularly. This does not necessarily mean hard sparring where you try to take each others heads off. Find partners who can work at all levels and get familiar with them. Go 5% some days and 50% others. Get to the point where neither of you has anything to prove, you just want to make each other better.

Join a community of men/women who are meeting regularly. Boxing brings people together. It is good to have a group of friends who you punch. As you work with a group, your growth as a fighter will become exponential. 

Attend as many amateur fights as you can. Remember, fighting is unnatural. Fighting in front of a crowd is absurd. You will be uncomfortable. People there will want to see you get knocked out. There will be referees and judges. Get familiar with this environment. 

Register with USA boxing and have your coach put you on a card that is 4-6 weeks away. Now it’s official. This added pressure will wake you up in the morning. This will be in your mind as you are training. You are going to fight someone. Be ready. 

Like it or not, boxing is dirty. Everyone wants an unfair advantage. That’s ok. But, do your research. I backed out of my first fight after seeing my opponents highlight reel on YouTube. He was a mini Mike Tyson and I was being set up. 

Ask your coach to confirm that your opponent is at a similar level to you. Trust that your coach has your best interest. Once confirmed, don’t think about your opponent. This isn’t a professional fight. You aren’t going to study them. You are fighting and that’s all you need to know. You should have enough sparring experience to be ready for anything. A short stocky opponent, a tall and skinny one, a south paw, etc.

Now it is fight night. You will experience nerves and anxiety you couldn’t prepare for. This is normal. All fighters feel it including your opponent. The nerves leading up to the fight reminded me of when I was facing legal trouble; the worst moment of my adult life. The fear of the unknown looming over. Focus on your breath and try to stay calm. Walk around the block and do whatever you can to get out of your own head.

When you get in the ring know that you are doing something brave and courageous. Everyone talks about it but few are willing to actually do it. You are facing your fears and will experience something sacred and intangible. Win or lose this is an accomplishment.

Depending on what type of shape you are in when you begin, this major transformation can occur within 6 months. Working out 5 days a week for 2-3 hours a day is enough time to become an unrecognizable person/fighter who has enormously improved. I experienced that first hand. You can check out my last fight here.

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This was a follow piece to What Recovering From The Fight Has Been Like.