There’s a lot of uncertainty these days with COVID-19 making its way around the world, so let’s talk about something that fighters CAN control: ourselves.
If you’re a competitive boxer, you want to compete! You want to be sparring. You want to be doing all the exercises that you feel are necessary to be ready for the next competition. You have that drive, which is why you’re a competitive boxer.
We are currently in the middle of a world-wide pandemic. No one can predict exactly what’s going to happen with regular social and work life, much less boxing competitions. People making decisions about boxing competitions that impact U.S. boxers include USA Boxing and your local boxing association leadership. And those organizations are depending on experts from the U.S. State Department, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO). Your own state and local laws also impact when competitive boxing can return in your area.
The writing’s on the wall that most states won’t allow contact sports and/or large crowds for at least several more months. The start of a new competition season is now likely 2021.
If the pandemic slows, it’s possible that Boxing Day could be a training opportunity for boxers to spar in front of a crowd. Check in with Boxing Day on instagram @boxingdayusa, and watch the USA Boxing calendar to see which LBCs are hosting Boxing Day events on Saturday, November 7th.
Otherwise, the competition calendar for the next several months is unknown. Rather than focusing on the uncertainty of when we return, we can shift focus to those things within our control.
So, what you can control?
There are lots of things you can be doing to keep yourself sharp, and be ready when it’s time to get back to sparring.
Here are a few things boxers can control:
1) Nutrition. Every trainer that’s worth their salt will tell you that you cannot out-train a bad diet. So get your diet on track right now. The simplest things that you can do are 1) cut out the junk, 2) manage portions, and 3) put your focus on eating nutritious foods. Basically get in your vegetables, fruits, nuts, and other nutrient-dense foods that work for you and give support to your immune system, and cut out the processed foods. Put in the work on nutrition so you’re not consumed with fighting the scale when you want to be learning and practicing your boxing. Proper nutrition gives your body a boost, an edge, and a foundation on which to train.
2) Mental preparation. Write down your goals in the sport. Start with what you want to work on when you get back into the gym. Take this time to take inventory. Decide specifically where you want your training focused when you can get back in the gym. Sleep is also part of mental prep. Take this opportunity to get your sleep right. Assess your sleep hygiene and see where you can make improvements. And try to get outside, if possible. Short walks through the day can help clear your head. Just keep that social distance if you’re out on the street or on a trail.
3) Physical training. Work on your strength, agility, cardio, coordination, and boxing skills. Outside of the gym you can do calisthenics, body-weight exercises, try some new exercises, shadowbox, and even work on technique in front of a bathroom mirror. If your gym is open, complement time in the gym with a running program outside.
Fighters know we have to be adaptable. This pandemic just means that ALL fighters are adapting at the same time, and in various ways. Stay positive and focused on the things you can control about your situation.
When you get a chance, share with us some of the exercises you’re doing to become a better boxer.
