We all know there are a lot of tough sports out there to challenge even the most elite athletes. From running marathons to mountain climbing, every sport has its hurdles to overcome, but have you ever wondered which sport might be the hardest to learn and master?
Boxing is often regarded as the toughest sport to learn, a claim that is backed up by an ESPN study of sports ranked by what it takes to conquer each discipline.
Eight panellists assigned scores to ten different attributes such as endurance, hand-eye coordination, strength, and power. Of course, some sports scored higher and lower in each of the categories, but when averaged out, boxing maintained a slight margin ahead of ice hockey, and football.
From training regimens to mental toughness to fight night itself – every element of boxing requires an immense amount of discipline and tenacity. So, if you’ve ever been curious about what makes boxing so incredibly tough, keep reading to find out.
Strength And Endurance
Boxing is an incredibly demanding sport that requires great strength and endurance. The conditioning for boxing involves a combination of aerobic exercises, such as running, jumping rope, and swimming, along with anaerobic exercises like weightlifting or sprints that help build endurance and power.
Training for boxing focuses on the mind and the body to build muscle strength, cardiovascular health, and mental fortitude to survive each match. You are not just relying on your adrenaline or natural speed; you must be strong enough to throw punches at full force without running out of steam too quickly (or at least long enough to outlast your opponent).
Strength and endurance go together for boxers because it allows them to last longer in the ring, as well as land more powerful shots with greater accuracy. The ability to sustain energy during a fight can be the difference between winning and losing.
You also need strong core muscles for both offence and defence, because, without a strong core, you don’t stand a chance. Your punching will be inaccurate and will lack strength. Weak cores also lead to falls because of poor body mechanics when you are throwing punches or trying to fend them off.
Tough in Body, Tough in Mind
Mental toughness is a key factor in boxing and could be the main factor that holds many people back. The mental battles and struggles that come with fighting are incredibly difficult to overcome, yet they are necessary for success.
Standing in the ring against an elite athlete trained to throw punches with full force takes a lot of mental fortitude. Three minutes may not seem like a long time, but it can feel like an eternity when you are getting pummelled.
The volume of boxing classes you will need to attend before you are ready for the ring can feel overwhelming at times, so strong mental fortitude is critical to staying in the game. Having the willpower to keep pushing forward and stay focused on your goals even when things get tough is just as essential for training as it is for when you get in the ring.
Boxers need extreme discipline to focus and block out all distractions, such as a heckling crowd, so they can give their full attention to an opponent during a fight.
Dance Like a Butterfly with Technical Mastery
Technical mastery of the sport is one of the toughest aspects to get right and requires a great deal of dedication, hard work, and time. While there are no set moves that everyone uses in boxing, there is an underlying structure that all boxers have to learn if they want to be successful.
For a boxer to be able to land punches with power and accuracy, they must understand how body movement works in combination with punches. This means learning how to move quickly from different angles while throwing punches so as not to miss the target or waste energy on ineffective wild swings.
Additionally, defensive techniques such as blocking and parrying must also be mastered for a boxer to protect themselves from their opponent’s blows. This takes careful practice as well as an understanding of proper footwork to keep you out of harm’s way.
Pain And Injury Can Sting Like a Bee
When you think of boxing, pain and injury are probably the last things that come to mind. But make no mistake about it, these are very real parts of the sport that must be taken seriously if you want to step into the ring in an amateur or professional capacity.
When you take a punch in boxing, it comes with a lot more force than most people realize. You’re dealing with every ounce of power that an opponent can generate with both arms. While protective gear like headgear or gloves can reduce some of the impacts, they still have limits when it comes to helping you avoid pain and injuries sustained during bouts.
You need to be aware of this potential for harm before stepping into the ring. This way, you will be less likely to let your guard down too much or underestimate how much damage your opponent can cause. Don’t forget, once a match is over, the pain you are feeling will follow you out of the ring, and it can take some time to fully recover.
Zen and The Art of Boxing – Keeping it Together in the Ring
One of the most important skills for boxing is having the ability to control your emotions. You need to be able to remain calm and in control even when you’re getting punched or feeling intense pain. You need to be able to keep a cool head so you can focus on your training and finish what you started, win, or lose.
It takes a great amount of discipline, practice, and dedication to master emotional control while boxing. Additionally, it’s important that you show humility after being victorious and respect towards your opponent after competing against them. Boxing is all about staying focused, channelling emotion into power, but also keeping an appropriate attitude throughout the match.
It All Comes Down to What You Want to Get out of Boxing
We know we’ve probably made it sound like boxing is only for the elite few, but that isn’t true. Boxing is one of those sports that will give you back as much as you put in. Plenty of people get a lot out of their morning jog without ever thinking about running a 40K marathon and you can approach boxing in the same way.
If you want to go pro or step into the amateur ring, then you have a gruelling but worthwhile future ahead of you. However, if your goal is to get fit, lose weight, meet new people, and have some fun at your boxing classes, then boxing might be for you. Not only will you get fit and make new friends, but you will also develop self-confidence and more than a few formidable self-defence skills.
Whether you plan to go pro, or your goal is to get leaner and fitter, professional trainers at Brooklyn Boxing are available for professional advice. Call today to find out more.