How to Start a Professional Boxing Career

Becoming a professional boxer takes extensive training and preparation.

Boxing is a popular sport that can be traced back to ancient civilizations with discovered documentation showing combatants facing each other in hand-to-hand combat. Today, boxing is shown on television daily while events are held throughout the world. Superstars such as Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather make millions of dollars for just one fight. The road to becoming a professional fighter is tough and takes plenty of training and great physical fitness.

Things You'll Need

• Boxing gym membership
• Athletic clothing
• Training shoes
• Boxing shoes
• Boxing gloves
• Headgear
• Mouthpiece

Instructions

1. Consult your physician for a physical check up. Your doctor will be able to assess your physical capabilities and determine whether your body is able to sustain the damage that professional boxers endure. Doctors can also check for conditions with your brain, heart and lungs that could worsen due to the strain of boxing.

2. Find a gym that can train you to box. Gyms are located in numerous cities throughout the country. Use the Internet to search local listings. Do not pick the first location you find--visit several. Research their facilities, trainers and how other boxers from them have done. Pick a gym that has reputable trainers, preferably those who were former fighters and current fighters who participate in the sport. These gyms will train you on the physical tools and boxing skills needed to compete in the ring. Being associated with a gym will help you line up amateur fights to practice your abilities.

3. Once you've competed in amateur fights, find a manager to help you land professional fights. Your manager will promote your abilities and negotiate contracts for you to fight at different shows. The manager can also help you land other promotional deals to boost your financial earning power.

Tips & Warnings

• Training is a major step into becoming a boxer. Everyday you must work on a different part of your boxing abilities to become "complete." Along with this you must improve your cardiovascular endurance and eat properly to have the energy to continue training. The gym trainer can help prepare your workout plans and nutritional needs.

• Boxing is a dangerous sport that can lead to serious injuries. It's important that you discuss all the risks with your doctors and potential trainers to keep yourself safe while in the ring. Have your manager create legal documents to protect your assets in case of the event of an untimely injury.

References

• Guide2boxing: Information about professional boxing
• Sportscomet: Becoming a pro boxer

Resources

• USA Boxing: Information on boxing in the United States