Featherweight contender, Morris, knows what it takes to make it in the sport of boxing. He has impressed EBU crowds over the last few years and is on the brink of a major title shot.
He tells us how to start it in boxing.
The club.
When you are starting out in boxing, you need the right gym. Look for a gym that is packed out. If theres a waiting list of a few months, wait. Ideally the gym will be packed out and should be taking part in competitions monthly, at least. That way you know there will be a lot of sparring and loads of variety.
The gym.
Its not important to train in a state of the art gym. Many champions actually pick what we call ‘spit and saw dust’ gyms. It depends on you. There are a few things to look out for. A gym should be spacious. Movement is so important. It should have more than one trainer. You want plenty of pad time.
The trainer.
the most important thing is to look out for a good trainer. Everything else can be sacrificed in place of a good trainer. Trainers either have a positive or negative approach. A negative trainer isn’t a negative. In fact, most EBU Champions have negative trainers. They use shouting and berating to get the best out of their fighter. A positive trainer uses praise. Whichever suits you. Some trainers are both. They use whatever methods motivate the individual. A trainer should have a extensive fight career behind him.
What you need.
A T-shirt. It should be loose and comfortable. Don’t spend much on it. After all the sweat and washing, it wont last long.
Hand wraps. Make sure you use them. They protect you hands. They cost less than £5.
Shorts. Again, make sure they are cheap.
Boxing gloves.
Boxing boots. Get ones that go over your ankles. They are for support and the sole is thin.
Gum shield. It can be cheap or expensive, but make sure you have one. The cheapest are under £5. They work fine but aren’t that comfortable.
Subs.
Training fees vary. £4 to £7 are the norm. Some trainers charge more. Remember, you are paying for a wealth of knowledge and experience. How much is that worth?
Be keen.
Your trainer was once a fighter. After years of trial and error, learning from mistakes, he knows so much. You want a trainer like that because they are a short cut. Your trainers knowledge was paid for with blood, pain, sweat, failures, disappointments, successes. Don’t expect him to part with all of that just because you are paying him. When he sees someone giving everything they have got, he will give them everything he has got….. and that’s a lot.
The thing about boxing gloves.
Good gloves will set you back more so than anything else you need. You can get gloves for £10. They wont last long. The padding will go quickly and they aren’t real leather. They will tear quickly. A £10 pair of gloves shouldn’t be used after 8 week. They don’t have enough padding left. Really, they don’t have enough padding to begin with so should be avoided.
My gloves cost £150. They are really good because I train so much and need to look after my hands. Most people should aim to spend around £50. That will get you good quality real leather gloves.
Never put them in the wash. Clean them by putting them in the freezer for 24 hours. Replace gloves after a year.
English Boxing Union 