Alan was out this past Wednesday, so I ran the gym. A couple of guys came in, one of whom I recognized as a former tenant in the building I live in. The former tenant's friend was looking for a place to learn how to box because he wanted to go professional. Amateur boxing can be a springboard to a professional boxing career. The Chicago Park District's boxing program is purely an amateur program. But joining a boxing gym/club is the first step.
Starting training early, preferably before the age of eighteen, is a plus. Train often, and maintain a stable weight. Sparring is good practice, but a boxer will have a better handle on their strengths and weaknesses when they participate in an actual match. It is good to go up against a variety of opponents.
Males still have the advantage in this sport because there are several avenues they can take to move up, especially if they have an eye on the Olympics. Competing in the Golden Gloves, the P.A.L. tournaments and the Pan-Am Games are crucial steps in that direction. The Olympics are not yet open to female boxers, but work is being done in an effort to make that possible.
All boxers wanting to go pro should look into finding good trainers, as well as managers who have contacts with professional matchmakers. They should also join one of the professional boxing associations (IBF, WBO, WBC, WIBF), and obtain a license from the boxing commissions where they intend to compete.
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