Hi, I'm 13 (turning 14 in a few days) and I'm training in Muay Thai/Boxing. My trainer is also teaching me boxing. I like boxing a little more. I'm nowhere near ready to fight, but are there any fights/competitions for kids my age? I'm 5'9" and 137-140 lbs.
Also, what do you think about young kids like me fighting? My parents don't want me to because they think I'm going to get hurt, but it's because they've only watched UFC. And those guys get messed up. I'm trying to convince them that ametuer boxers wear the head gear and there are very little injuries/bledding.
Thanks
You're not gonna like to hear this but new info has shown that blows to the head are especially damaging to adolescents because of the long term effects on the brain and that people really should start competing in sports where they will be taking shots to the head until they are fully grown... There is even a push to ban youth and high school football.
So unfortunately since it sounds like you want to get in there, your parents are probably right and you should give it at least a couple more years.
That said in Thailand they have 12 year old fighting pro and it seems to work for them... so who knows, I guess it comes down to how much risk you want to take.
Hi, I'm 13 (turning 14 in a few days) and I'm training in Muay Thai/Boxing. My trainer is also teaching me boxing. I like boxing a little more. I'm nowhere near ready to fight, but are there any fights/competitions for kids my age? I'm 5'9" and 137-140 lbs.
Also, what do you think about young kids like me fighting? My parents don't want me to because they think I'm going to get hurt, but it's because they've only watched UFC. And those guys get messed up. I'm trying to convince them that ametuer boxers wear the head gear and there are very little injuries/bledding.
Thanks
I would suggest moving more into grappling until you turn 18. Have you thought about wrestling? Submission grappling?
Repeated blows to the head aren't good for a developing brain. Training is one thing, live sparring and competition are another.
This. Also are you looking to get into mma later or boxing?
If mma train the ground game man. You gotta be well rounded. Train jiu jitsu and wrestling for 4 years straight in addition to your muay thai/boxing and you'll be a threat anywhere.
Under no circumstances should you be taking significant blows to the head before at least age 15. Don't blow this off the threat is very real for a developing brain. I'm not sure there are any competitions In the US at that age level anyway. As others have said continue to train your standup but bjj and wrestling will give you opportunities to compete safely. There will be plenty of time to get punched in the face, don't rush it.
This. Also are you looking to get into mma later or boxing?
If mma train the ground game man. You gotta be well rounded. Train jiu jitsu and wrestling for 4 years straight in addition to your muay thai/boxing and you'll be a threat anywhere.
I don't know about mma. I seems like there are so many injuries
Under no circumstances should you be taking significant blows to the head before at least age 15. Don't blow this off the threat is very real for a developing brain. I'm not sure there are any competitions In the US at that age level anyway. As others have said continue to train your standup but bjj and wrestling will give you opportunities to compete safely. There will be plenty of time to get punched in the face, don't rush it.
I agree with you. I actually meant starting boxing fights at 16-18. I don't think they have any fights for those ages, too. Haha maybe smoker matches?
These is, strictly speaking, no "good" age to start fighting. That being said, somewhere between 16 and 18, depending on the person, is the earliest you can start with reduced risk. Since you don't know which you are, I recommend waiting til 18. In the grand scheme of things, there's no point in rushing it.
Boxing has the most head blows while kick boxing and MT aren't far behind. BJJ, Judo, and Wrestling are far more head friendly, so if you want to train young go for those or do any of the first three without sparring until you turn 18.
You can also do things like Karate and TKD to improve footwork, discipline, and learn some strikes, but I'm not a big preacher of those unless you get a fantastic teacher.
