Question for any Boxers Out There

ChrisW

I know this is a stretch, but you guys are (more or less) reliable when it comes to providing advice, so I figured this was as good a place to ask as any (plus a couple boxing forums, too):

I've been going to a boxing gym for a couple months now. The last 20 minutes of every class is comprised of sparring: two boxers climb in the ring, put on head and groin protection and square off. The rest of the class does what the trainer calls "light sparring" – which is, well, exactly that: pairing-up, not hitting too hard and practicing what we learned in the first 40 minutes of the class. However, it's done without headgear.

At the risk of sounding like a wimp: Is this type of light sparring without headgear normal? And is it safe?

The hits aren't hard, but after all the research that's been coming out regarding successive blows to the head – even relatively light ones – I've started to wonder.

Thank you very much in advance.

Goose!

Did you pose this over in H/A? Because that might be a better spot for real advice.

Snowbeat

just remember: your face is the toughest part of your body, so be sure to put it in front of any incoming punches

Edcrab

Stupid question, but I'm assuming you're wearing gloves right

We're not talking bare knuckle here are we

Hobnail

Joe "Tricksy" Mahoney was famous for wearing away at the structural integrity of his opponents fists with his chin

Lord Dave

I'm more of a briefs

Hunter

I want to encourage new folks, I really do, but coming to a video game centric website and to its anything goes forum asking about boxing advice and head injuries doesn't sound like the best plan.

I would look for a fighters forum for this question, or ask a doctor. Maybe even a large black gentlemen that rides a bicycle and helps small white guys train to fight incredibly larger athletes.

Crashmo

Snowbeat wrote: »

just remember: your face is the toughest part of your body, so be sure to put it in front of any incoming punches

Pay no attention to Wimp Lo. We purposely trained him wrong...as a joke.

The Geek

Fire Truck

OP

You have my name

Why you have my name?

Let's hug and be buds

YoSoyTheWalrus

What

Wear the headgear

Your brain is important

Don't be a dumbass

Snowbeat

whoa

WHOA

The Geek

Boxers get cauliflower ear, right?

So yeah, wear it for that reason too.

Bucketman

Lord Dave wrote: »

I'm more of a briefs

damn you, you stole my crappy joke!

mcp

Level up your butterflies and your bees.

Tasteticle

ChrisW wrote: »

I know this is a stretch, but you guys are (more or less) reliable when it comes to providing advice, so I figured this was as good a place to ask as any (plus a couple boxing forums, too):

I've been going to a boxing gym for a couple months now. The last 20 minutes of every class is comprised of sparring: two boxers climb in the ring, put on head and groin protection and square off. The rest of the class does what the trainer calls "light sparring" – which is, well, exactly that: pairing-up, not hitting too hard and practicing what we learned in the first 40 minutes of the class. However, it's done without headgear.

At the risk of sounding like a wimp: Is this type of light sparring without headgear normal? And is it safe?

The hits aren't hard, but after all the research that's been coming out regarding successive blows to the head – even relatively light ones – I've started to wonder.

Thank you very much in advance.

alternatingAberration

Fire Truck wrote: »

OP

You have my name

Why you have my name?

Let's hug and be buds

W-why do you both have my name?

Snowbeat

yes hello

Fire Truck

alternatingAberration wrote: »

Fire Truck wrote: »

OP

You have my name

Why you have my name?

Let's hug and be buds

W-why do you both have my name?

This means something. This is important.

jippee

Snowbeat wrote: »

just remember: your face is the toughest part of your body, so be sure to put it in front of any incoming punches

bonus fact and lame observation: It's the only body body part you never cover up, unless you have certain fundamentalist beliefs.

I figured that out when last year for the first time in my life I broke something: my nose. It's not even a bone and everybody thinks I "walked into a door".
I was drunk and I fell on my face, you stupid caring friend people!

moral of story: remember that people look at your face when they meet you, so be careful who you pick before they disfigure the only part of your body you can't hide.

AgentofOrange

I never wear underwear.

Hunter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-DblXaqQMk

Raijin Quickfoot

We called that the "Sting-ah"

jippee

Why start boxing when you can play Snooker anyway?

Tommy2Hands

Calamity Jane

ChrisW wrote: »

I know this is a stretch, but you guys are (more or less) reliable when it comes to providing advice, so I figured this was as good a place to ask as any (plus a couple boxing forums, too):

I've been going to a boxing gym for a couple months now. The last 20 minutes of every class is comprised of sparring: two boxers climb in the ring, put on head and groin protection and square off. The rest of the class does what the trainer calls "light sparring" – which is, well, exactly that: pairing-up, not hitting too hard and practicing what we learned in the first 40 minutes of the class. However, it's done without headgear.

At the risk of sounding like a wimp: Is this type of light sparring without headgear normal? And is it safe?

The hits aren't hard, but after all the research that's been coming out regarding successive blows to the head – even relatively light ones – I've started to wonder.

Thank you very much in advance.

successive light and very hard blows to the head come with the territory of boxing

the old man says light sparring sans headgear is fine but how long do you spar? a few rounds? how long are they?

BahamutZERO

I'd guess the sparring goes for 20 minutes like he said.

Repeated head impacts should not be taken lightly, even if they don't seem to cause immediate damage. Football (not soccer) players' brains end up pretty damaged by the ends of their careers even if they don't have that many impacts that cause actual concussions.

Snowbeat

so how much natural headgear do you have

jowls absorb impacts very well

BahamutZERO

snowbeat are you being a bit facetious

Snowbeat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILvi7WpI_9c&feature=related

BahamutZERO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69cIEiutWTY&NR=1

Tommy2Hands

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wx3UaJwLkk

Kakodaimonos

ChrisW wrote: »

I know this is a stretch, but you guys are (more or less) reliable when it comes to providing advice, so I figured this was as good a place to ask as any (plus a couple boxing forums, too):

I've been going to a boxing gym for a couple months now. The last 20 minutes of every class is comprised of sparring: two boxers climb in the ring, put on head and groin protection and square off. The rest of the class does what the trainer calls "light sparring" – which is, well, exactly that: pairing-up, not hitting too hard and practicing what we learned in the first 40 minutes of the class. However, it's done without headgear.

At the risk of sounding like a wimp: Is this type of light sparring without headgear normal? And is it safe?

The hits aren't hard, but after all the research that's been coming out regarding successive blows to the head – even relatively light ones – I've started to wonder.

Thank you very much in advance.

If you don't like getting hit in the head, clinch. And while you're in your sweaty man-embrace, head butt your opponent or give in to your forbidden passion. :winky:

TheStig

Yeah, not wearing headgear is pretty dumb.

GeoMitch

I have 2 rescued boxer dogs and they are the sweetest dogs in the whole world and I love them so much yeshidoiloveyoulildoggies

Tommy2Hands

I punched both of those boxers in the head

and they don't even make dog helmets!

Tallaclassee

is getting punched in the head safe

JoeUser

Tommy2Hands wrote: »

I punched both of those boxers in the head

and they don't even make dog helmets!

Crashmo

I would definitely wear the headgear even during the "light sparring". Even if it's a million-to-one chance that something could go wrong, that's still a stupid chance to make

And if they make fun of you, just punch them in their unprotected heads 'til they can't remember what they were laughing about

TheStig

Also be sure to protect ya neck.

GeoMitch

headgear is for pussies bro

you wanna be a pussy?