Source
r/amateur_boxing•
mowski

Tips for a very novice boxer 'sparring' a much larger opponent?

Training

Hi there! I've just taken up boxing two months ago. I love it, and am eager to do as best as I can. I'm doing the classes with a friend, who did boxing for about three years before dropping it for a couple of years.

I also do extra informal classes at this friend's place, who is doing padwork with me and teaching me the fundamentals of boxing techniques (footwork, etc). He's suggested a "practice spar" soon.

He's a 6'3, 270lb male, I'm a 5'6, 125lb female. I obviously know that in a real spar, he'd flog me, but I'd love to read any suggestions for doing as best as I can in a practice spar situation (he'll be going slow and not connecting his hits hard) and maybe surprising him/catching him off guard.

Thanks so much for any suggestions or resources to check out!

Posted Aug 1, 2017, 12:55 AM UTC · edited

415
chrstrmBoxing Coach•

Don't

15
mowskiOP•

He's only going to be going for bodyshots and even then will be pulling his punches - but I can go all out (within reason). Is that still a 'don't' situation?

2
aburkhartlawMODHits like a girl•

Throwing all out at an opponent is absolutely not the kind of training that should be done casually or outside of a gym setting.

5
mowskiOP•

I should have specified that we will be sparring at the gym with the instructor there; sorry, that was unclear. The only thing we do at his place is padwork and footwork

2
aburkhartlawHits like a girl•

Is this going to be in a ring, with headgear and mouthpieces?

6
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
MarquisMonetSuper Middleweight•

As a 180ish boxer who spars with fighters from different weigh classes, I can tell you that he won't feel any punches. Even when someone is 40 pounds lighter I feel nothing, unless they connect perfectly(Haven't met anyone who's power overcomes weight classes). Which if he is good won't happen against a 2 month boxer.

Don't want to be disheartening, but weight is a huge advantage and if there's not a huge gulf in the skill level, it's insurmountable.

1
GunsAreBool•

He is literally more than twice your weight. Not sure this is safe.

4
Superbuddhapunk•

The last time I had some trouble sparring with a tiny woman is because she was really fast at closing and breaking the distance. She also dodged and ducked a lot, which created lots of angles. So I'd say you need to work on footwork and head movement.

1
mowskiOP•

Thank you! The reason he suggested the spar in the first place is because he wants to help my footwork more, so that makes a lot of sense.

1
assgoblin69•

The only sparring you should try is him not throwing a punch and only working head movement/defense while you practice lightly throwing combinations. I'm a big guy and when there are no guys to spar with in the gym and theres only girls, thats what we do. Its good for me (and the guy you're working with) because we can work on slipping and weaving while not worrying about getting clobbered, and its good for you to just get a feel of moving around. anything else would be silly he's too much bigger than you, especially if you're doing it outside of a gym

1
mowskiOP•

Okie doke, that makes a lot of sense - I'll suggest this approach. Thank you!

1
sebaaadada•

Move your head constantly because this will make your head movement faster then dodge and step in at the same time when he throws a punch. Preferably you should step in while he throws a jab without getting caught. If you move towards him without stopping while you throw punches he will know that you are coming and counter you. If you just dodge his punches while standing still or stepping backwards he will keep his distance. You will not land a hit on his face most likely because you have only been doing it for 2 months.

1
oslougly•

I'm your size and have sparred some of the bigger guys (in muay thai) with the agreement that it's only "touch," no power from either of us. But I try to avoid it bc neither one of us gets much out of it.

1