Nerdcore Boxing

I am proud to say I was a UFC fan back as far as 1995, I even started grappling that year. Now that MMA is mainstream, many fans are having to catch up on their MMA knowledge. One of the biggest misconceptions I encounter amongst new fans is anti-grappling.

MMA Strikers Are Grapplers
Take a look at some of the top strikers in MMA: Andrei Alovski, Gomi, Chuck Liddell, Fedor, George St Pierre, Cung Le. Is it a concidence that most of them had extensive wrestling backgrounds before going into MMA?

Some MMA History
Watching today’s great MMA strikers can be quite deceiving to the untrained eye. It fools one into thinking that it’s easy to keep the fight standing against an MMA fighter. This is not the case.

Before greco roman and freestyle wrestlers flooded MMA and brought the sprawl, it used to be commonly believed that it was impossible to keep the fight standing. This period was when MMA transitioned from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s domination to wrestlers who could box a little (Marco Coleman, early Randy Couture, etc.).

Sprawling: The Real Anti-Grappling
Avoiding the ground doesn’t have to do with becoming a better striker, though it helps. You might think, “When they grab me I’ll start hitting them hard” — wrong! There is nothing easier than taking down a flailing striker.The most important anti-grappling skill is the sprawl.

Checkout this excellent instruction from Iowa State coach and wrestling legend Cael Sanderson:
Video: How to Sprawl

People unfamiliar with training at a boxing gym might be slightly intimidated by the environment. There’s no reason to be.

Boxing gyms are diverse places housing thugs, wannabe tough guys, criminals, kids, yuppies, women, amateur boxers and celebrity pro boxers. Due to the testosterone overload you’d think there would be a lot of tension at boxing gyms, but I’ve almost never seen it.

So much of masculine behavior is posing and attempting to display power: a man’s image, his dress, his tatoos, the way he walks around other men. There’s often a hint of violence behind these things, no matter how deeply buried. But in the ring it doesn’t matter how many tatoos you have, how long your criminal record, or how many untrained fighters you’ve beat up. To get in the ring and face another man in combat cuts through all this bullshit.

It takes a special kind of person to box, and these unique people develop a natural kinship. This bond goes across all boundaries, no matter race, nationality, creed, socio economic status or criminal profile. Boxing is the great equalizer.

I don’t care who you are, where you come from, or what you look like, if you keep your mouth shut and work hard you’ll fit in.

This is the second part of my two part series of posts on how to evaluate a boxing or kickboxing gym. (See: How to Evaluate a Boxing Gym - Part I)

Watch Out for Frauds in MMA and Kickboxing
Boxing is a more regulated and popular sport at the amateur level, so frauds aren’t that common. MMA and kickboxing on the other hand are infested with frauds. With the rise of MMA, every mini-mall McDojo is looking to hop on the bandwagon by adding the words, “kickboxing” and “MMA” to their signs.

Don’t just ask if they train fighters, ask around as to their reputation. Buyer beware.

Legit Gyms Train Fighters
Use the following criteria to determine if it’s the real deal:

1. Is sparring available?
2. Does sparring occur regularly?
3. Does the gym regularly train amateur fighters?

If the answer is no to the above three questions, it’s likely a cardio-boxing or watered down martial arts class. Of course make exceptions for a brand new gym that hasn’t recruited enough boxers yet.

Again, when in doubt ask around. What do other nearby gyms say?

Equipment
They should have a boxing ring, heavy bags, double end bags, focus mitts and lots of mirrors so you can watch your form. Most gyms have speed bags, but they are probably overrated. If the gym is missing one of these pieces of equipment I wouldn’t worry too much, but it should have most of the above.

Pricing
Boxing has traditionally been a poor man’s sport. Free training is out there. Inexpensive gyms typically run $30-50/month. You’ll also find well known pro gyms that let you in the door for $50 or so per month, but require additional hourly rates to get time from trainers.

Similar programs at MMA/kickboxing gyms often run $70-300/month, with MMA being on the higher end.

Happy hunting!

If you just want to get into shape there are many cardio boxing programs out there that will do the trick. But if you really want to learn to box and think you might compete someday, you’re going to need to learn how to pick out a good boxing gym.

Types of Gyms
Here are some of different types of gyms. Note many gyms fall under more than one of these categories.

1. Gyms with Classes - These are run a bit like martial arts schools, except the classes are a lot more physical. The class advantage is that you won’t fall through the cracks, each student is put through a specially designed regiment. The disadvantage is a lack of individual attention and having beginners hold (or try to hold) punch mitts for you.

You may notice some more experienced boxers only selectively participating in classes. These guys spend a lot of time working out between classes and during class are busy working on specific things (or possibly avoiding crappy mitt holders).

2. Traditional Gyms -Traditionally speaking, boxing and Muay Thai (as trained in Thailand) doesn’t have classes. Trainers hang around the gym and work with fighters individually or direct them to do bagwork, shadowboxing, calisthenics, or setup sparring. Since there are no classes, you get the benefit of flexible training times.

3. Mixed Gyms - Kickboxing and MMA gyms sometimes have boxing programs. Generally these gyms have large facilities, but training times are often inflexible due to the panorama of classes.

4. Pro vs. Amateur Gyms - This distinction generally only exists in traditional boxing gyms. Some gyms specialize in pro fighters and some in amateur fighters. Pro and amateur are actually completely different boxing styles. Beginners should stick to amateur gyms in my opinion.

Trainer Attitude
A boxing trainer trains boxers. They don’t run the welcome committee. When it comes to new arrivals, this is what a trainer sees:

• Say a sample of 400 people visit the gym to watch or workout
• Probably 100 of them become regulars
• 25 progress far enough (and are willing) to spar
• After the initial beating, 8 of them spar more than a few times
• Only 1 of them competes

In the first session you’re just one of the 300 people out of the 400 who won’t come back. Should the trainers politeness in your first session be a factor? No!!! Don’t rate the gym on the trainer’s initial gruffness with you. You start out a nobody, you’ll have to train hard to earn respect and build a bond with your trainer.

Stay tuned for Part II in this series.

I run into people online all the time that are training themselves because they couldn’t find a gym, even though they live right next to one.

Don’t just look in the phone book and then give up! Gyms can be difficult to locate, but every major city has them.

Resources to Locate Boxing and Kickboxing Gyms
The best method to find a gym is to go online to a boxing, kickboxing or MMA forum and ask for recommendations in your area. Some major forums worth mentioning are Sherdog, AX Kickboxing, Underground Forum and Eastside Boxing. Note Sherdog and the Underground Forum, being MMA forums, have sub-forums for MMA, kickboxing and boxing. You might need to post on more than one of their boards.

Here are additional resources:

1. Try looking for on-line gym directories. Here are some good ones: BoxingGyms.com, BoxingHelp.com, Fightfind.com and AXKickboxing.com.
2. Search Google Local using your local address. For example, “Boxing gym, Los Angeles, CA.”
3. Call up any nearby gyms you do find and ask if they can tell you who else is around. They may not tell you, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.
4. Go ahead and check the phone book, though you probably won’t find much.

Remember MMA, Boxing and Kickboxing Overlap
Many MMA schools have boxing and kickboxing programs. Many kickboxing gyms have boxing programs. If you want boxing, don’t only look for “boxing gym” listings.

Other Organizations
YMCA’s have traditionally had amateur boxing programs.

I’m not sure if you’ll be able to get serious training there, but check out your local colleges, sometimes they have classes or clubs.

Self Training
Can one train themself at home? No!!! You need a trainer. You need to be around trained boxers.

If you’re going to take this ill advised path, at least take a long drive to the nearest gym once and a while. Workout with a trainer, get some tips, get your form corrected and then work on these new things at home.

Anderson Silva

Silva looked sharp in his title defense and won a first round TKO.

I’d love to see a rematch with former champ Rich Franklin. In their first fight Silva exposed a major Franklin weakness, dominating in the Muay Thai clinch. But Franklin is a great striker, putting aside Silva’s clinch superiority, I think Franklin has superior power in his hands and feet. A Silva/Franklin rematch would have me salivating.

Nogueria and Herring Controversy 

I’m still confused at this fight. Herring knocks Nog down and out with a high kick, then he lands 5-6 bombs on a semi-conscious, arguably unconscious Nog. I’ve seen many a fight stopped under less extreme circumstances. Even more bizarre the ref sort of stops the fight and lets Nog stand up as if the UFC suddenly has standing 8 counts, then he resumes the fight!

The UFC has been recently stung after signing high profile Pride fighters to big contracts then had them upset in their debuts. Cro Cop and Herring both were shocked by nobodys in their first fights. The fact that Nog was given a high profile rematch with Herring in his first UFC appearance indicates to me that the UFC didn’t want to risk another disappointment.

Herring got screwed tonight and frankly it came across almost as badly as some of the freak boxing decisions favoring big name fighters.

Rashad Evans vs. Tito Ortiz

Surprisingly, noted ground and pound specialist Tito Ortiz had a lot of difficulty getting the take downs and  maintaining top position. I was impressed by Rashad’s wrestling, and his striking looks better each fight. Rashad seemed to be winning the standing exchanges, but in a bizarre strategy continually went for failed take down attempts. The fight is scored a draw but if Tito wasn’t docked a point for grabbing the cage he brings home the victory.

Sean Sherk

Sherk wins his title defense but disappoints the fans with a boring performance. Sherk is a dominant wrestler and always gets the takedown and maintains top position. Yet as long as I remember him he never seems to finish opponents. If he wants fan approval he’s going to have get more pound to go with his ground, or bring along his submission game.

Kenny Florian

Florian dominated his opponent getting a TKO via strikes from the top position. His post fight comment about consistently finishing his opponents was obviously a taunt aimed at Sherk. Despite his submission prowess and blossoming ground and pound skills, I just don’t see Florian beating Sherk in a rematch, Sherk is just too good of a wrestler.

Chris Lytle 

I was disappointed they didn’t show the Lytle fight. Lytle won via triangle choke at about the 2 minute mark, but I had to read about it online.

Stephan Bonnar

Bonnar won via first round submission. Unfortunately this fight also didn’t get shown.

If you love MMA, this weekend’s UFC will be a treat. There might not be a main event that stirs up national press, but this is the deepest fight card I ever recall seeing.

I want to highlight a few of the interesting matchups:

Tito Ortiz vs. Rashad Evans - Racially charged trash talking from Ortiz puts the grudge factor behind this fight. Since loosing his belt, Tito has been a gatekeeper to other contenders, he’s one notch below the elite, but better than the rest. Personally I think there is no place for racist comments in sports and I’ll be rooting for Rashad.

Chris Lytle vs. Drew Fickett - Lytle is a welterweight contender, former pro boxer and all around badass. I’m always exciting to watch him fight. He just came off a loss to ground and pound specialist and MMA legend Matt Hughes.

Nogueira vs. Herring - Two top heavyweights that came over from Pride will be battling it out. Nog, one of the best submission fighters in MMA, could easily be the next UFC heavyweight champ.

Anderson Silva vs. Nate Marquardt - Anderson Silva is an uber-aggressive Muay Thai fighter in the Chute Boxe tradition. Silva is so tall his long legs make it more difficult to defend against takedowns. He’s no slouch on the ground, but I keep waiting for a ground and pound fighter to exploit this weakness.

Sean Sherk vs. Hermes Franca - Sherk is the lightweight champ, a short stocky ground and pounder. Franca is a well rounded brawler. You won’t see technical boxing from Franca but he has heavy hands and he’s not afraid to throw bombs.

Stephan Bonnar vs. Mike Nickels - Bonnar is always fun to watch, I’ve been a fan since the first season of the Ultimate Fighter reality show. Bonnar doesn’t sport big knockout power but he’s a very technical boxer. Besides being a former national Golden Gloves champ, he’s also a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Fighters displaying an advanced knowledge of the sweet science are referred to as boxers, as apposed to brawlers or punchers. When an analyst refers to a guy as a brawler or puncher, it can actually be mildly derogatory. Punchers generally aren’t as skilled in boxing and attempt to make up for it by going for knockouts.

One thing that can be frustrating about boxing is that it’s heavily attribute based. A puncher that can take a punch can go far in boxing without gaining a great knowledge of boxing.

There is an art and science to boxing that’s based on theory, practice and technique. Make no mistake a boxer schooled in the sweet science can definitely defeat an unskilled puncher.

When the great Floyd Mayweather Jr. moved up in weight he lost his ability to KO the bigger opponents, but he dominated them nonetheless. In the absence of knockouts many fight fans found his dazzling defenses lacking, but I loved watching his genius.

Fortunately for those lacking natural punching power, you can make up for it. KO’s often come from an accumulation of punches, not one big haymaker. Sneaky punches, or punches buried in combinations can also be deadly. Sugar Ray Robinson, the greatest pound-for-pound boxer ever, KO’ed more than his share of opponents. He was quoted as saying, “I was really a weak puncher. It’s the punch you don’t see that hurts you.”

So no matter what your physical attributes, work on your punch accuracy and landing combinations!

Performing “tricks” when jumping rope is probably overrated when it comes to actually learning to box. But it’s good for passing the time and has some training benefits, though usually it’s just to show off your mastery of the jump rope.

Checkout this video. Mayweather has taken it to a whole other level. I don’t think Sugar Ray ever looked this good jumping rope.

During my Saturday weigh in ritual, I was quite shocked and disappointed to see I gained 5.4 lbs! I didn’t think I ate that much!

Besides a little cheating on the ol’ diet, I think there was an additional cause. See I sprained my ankle sparring last week and missed half a week of working out. At my level of training, my workouts burn a lot of calories and cause me to drop a lot of water weight. Without the intense excercise I needed to reduce my caloric intake, but didn’t pay attention.

Lesson learned.