Professional boxers have a short window in which to make their career happen. Pro boxers have to build their experience and skill, and also navigate a career in a difficult entertainment industry.
Here are 8 nasty traps to avoid:
1) Staying with a bad trainer because it’s easy. Instead, seek out a trainer that treats you with respect, demonstrates their knowledge and interest in continuing to learn, and who supports your goals (not theirs).
2) Trying to recreate another fighter’s path. Instead, play to your strengths that make you appealing to promoters, and find ways to win big in front of crowds.
3) Relying on others to help you. Instead, take action yourself. You are responsible for your career. Participate in decision-making.
4) Trusting that others in the industry have your best interests in mind. Instead, keep your head on a swivel. Build a team of trusted people around you — trainers, manager, promoter, and sparring partners — that give you energy, not worry or demotivate you.
5) Getting caught up in minutia. Instead, focus on the big picture and don’t sweat the small stuff.
6) Getting discouraged from a loss. Instead, decide if you want to continue. If you do, work for it. Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.
7) Being cocky. Instead, practice some gratitude and humility as you rise to the top. Be confident and calm. Only people who are scared and insecure are cruel to other people. Treat people well as you rise, and they’ll be there for you if and when you have a fall.
8) Assuming your talent will speak for itself. You will not be discovered walking down the street. Instead, gain followers on social media. Network with trainers, managers, and promoters to see what opportunities lay ahead. Pro boxing is an entertainment industry.
Work to avoid these traps for a more robust and long career as a professional boxer.
Looking to fight, or want to train like a fighter? Coaches at Fighters Boxing Gym are trained to help! Pop in the gym and chat us up.
