Amateur Boxing--A Work-in-Progress
Boxing activities take many forms from unsupervised backyard boxing to supervised sparring in gyms to competitive amateur boxing sanctioned by USA Boxing (USAB) to professional boxing. As one moves through the categories, the number of participants decrease, the skill increases, and time commitment becomes more crucial if one is to succeed. Face it, unsupervised backyard boxing only requires a couple pair of boxing gloves, a place to box, and at least two willing participants. The skill level is zilch and the time commitment lasts only as long as the bout, which is usually less time than it takes to prepare a three-minute egg. So where does recreational boxing end and competitive boxing begin? The question may be better answered in the positive, where does recreational boxing reach its zenith? This happens at supervised sparring in gyms. Any amateur boxing beyond this level falls under the auspices of USA Boxing.
Amateur boxers get their start at USAB-sanctioned local boxing shows or "smokers." The term "smoker" conjures images of two fighters slugging it out in front of a boisterous crowd in a auditorium that saw its best days about the time newspaper headlines were heralding the great triumph of a little know air mail pilot named Charles Lindbergh. This myth lives on in Hollywood portrayals of "club boxing," a movie theme which seem to get popular every generation or so. Today, USAB-sanctioned amateur boxing bears no resemblance to its forebearer. The boxer's safety is the primary concern. At the sanctioned shows, USA Boxing-registered amatuer boxers of all ages begin their competitive boxing. This activity is a lot different than a club where I used to work out, when we were periodically visited by boxers from a nearby YMCA. The Y kids came to our club for supervised sparring with each other, since they were not allowed to make contact with each other when they trained at the Y. (A far cry from the days when I learned to box at the Northside YMCA.) Every so often, the family and friends of the boxers would come by to see what was going on. But this was not amateur boxing. It was supervised practice for people learning to box.
Supervised sparring has its place. It is understood that two boxers from the same club don't compete against each other. It would be like north Florida going to war against south Florida. It just isn't done. Its too disruptive and can leave bad feelings that last long after the last bell has sounded and the dented brown metal chairs have been folded and put away. If you train with someone, and become their friend, you shouldn't have to competitively box them. So supervised sparring allows you to box with your club compadres. But if you want to compete, USAB-amateur boxing is the only way to go.
So, the smoker becomes the scene where some fighters pass from recreational boxing to competitive boxing. You can stay on one side, but upon crossing that thresh hold, you can never really go back and you really don't want to. You've paid the ferryman to take you across that experiential River Styx. Its a one way trip to fun and excitement.
To be continued