This photograph really captures the essence of backyard boxing. Remember putting on those red vinyl Everlast 12-ounce gloves and boxing with your friends? No one got hurt too badly, maybe a bloody nose from time to time, but nothing more serious than that! And when you won you felt like you were the "champeen of the world."
After a few years of messing around with your friends in the backyard, you decided to really get serious about boxing. You learned the basics from coaches at the CYO, PAL, YMCA, or Boys' Club gym. Starting with the stance, progressing to the jab, cross, and hook, these trainers showed you how to box. They all seemed to be gruff old men, like the character Mickey from the Rocky movies. They growled at you but always found time to show you how to slip a punch and parry. They spent countless hours with you, in three minute intervals, watching you on the heavy bag or working the focus mitts with you in the ring until your and their arms ached. Eventually, you perfected that drop-in right, that sent your buddy reeling in a sparring session! You never understood why the coaches worked with kids, you were just glad they did.