Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with boxing

Mama Said Knock You Out

azure_swing — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:50:16 -0800

What are the best boxer autobiographies? Looking for first-person accounts of being a boxer. Autobiography, "as-told-to" books, oral history, even ghostwritten accounts.

Boxing events in Bay Area, CA

prior — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:26:16 -0800

Where can I see professional or amateur boxing and/or fighting in the Bay Area? My googling has led me to some listings and ads for past fights and some fairly expensive pro fights in San Jose, but what I'm looking for is a list of upcoming boxing, muay thai, mma, etc. fights in the Bay Area. Where do those generally take place? Anyone know of a site that aggregates that kind of stuff?

How do ringside pro photographers do their thing?

wastelands — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 12:08:11 -0800

How do ringside (boxing, MMA, etc.) photographers work? Are there any pro or serious amateur photogs at MeFi who could satisfy my curiosity about ringside photography? Specifically:

* Given how fast action can occur, do they plan shots or just take a ton of them and filter out later?

* I notice they use two cameras, presumably for close up vs. far off shots. Do they pre-focus at the two distances so they don't have to think about it? Or do they still do some adjustment on the fly?

* Analog or digital? I'd assume digital would favor the approach of taking loads of shots and culling later. But I think a lot of pros still use film.

* How do they decide which shots to use? Or is it their newspaper/website/etc. editor that does that for them? I assume shots with punches landing, people dropping from knockouts, etc. would be favored over all other shots?

Thanks!

fiction/poems/plays about boxing & boxers

.kobayashi. — Wed, 06 May 2009 14:29:10 -0800

We've had a couple good threads on good books about boxers & boxing (here and here) but I'd like to ask about boxing books once more -- this time with a twist. Most of the last recommendations were biographies, essays and sports journalism. I'm looking to widen the scope of those previous questions to focus on novels, short stories, plays, poems -- that sort of thing. What are the best writings on boxing that aren't biographies, histories of specific fights, or general essays? Specifically I have in mind things like Leonard Gardner's Fat City, or Philip Levine's "The Right Cross" (both "literary" but I'm interested in genre fiction too) but I'd like to cast the net as wide as possible.

Pacquiao Hatton Fight

eggman — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:24:17 -0800

MaineFilter: Where can I watch the Pacquiao vs. Hatton fight on PPV within 20 miles of Oguinquit, ME this weekend?

How does conditioning work in sports?

wastelands — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:33:33 -0800

Uh oh! He's "out of gas"! How does conditioning work in sports like MMA and boxing? In the color commentary for UFC, you often hear them say a fighter is "out of gas." The fighter appears slow, tired, and doesn't move much.

My question: is this expression literal? I mean, does it mostly have to do with oxygen intake? And how do you deal with this problem... just do a crapload of cardio exercise before fights to improve your lungs? What exactly do they mean when they say "conditioning"?

Recommendations to the best free standing boxing bag

mdwiffle — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 11:57:26 -0800

Suggestions for the best freestanding boxing bags After having a lot of fun with Wii Fit boxing and having an interest in Boxing/MMA, I want to add a more physical element to my workouts in regards to boxing. Since I live in an apartment, a heavy bag that comes form the ceiling is probably out. I also don't want to have to weight down a free standing bag with 250 lbs of water or sand. Are there any viable options out there?

punch, kick, hi-ya! pow! oof!

pointystick — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 06:16:35 -0800

I want to explore adding some punching or kicking to my workout. How should I do this with activities, classes, or games? Recently I took a self-defense seminar and I found I really enjoyed the punching/kicking motions. It was the movement I liked, not so interested in the part of another person being involved. I also realy like Wii boxing and I have always been curious about that kind of workout - people punching bags, doing kicking exercises, etc. What types of classes, activities, or games might I try?

Possibly relevant info: About 8 months ago, I exchanged my couch potato lifestyle for a more active one and I regularly do strength training & cardio/aerobics. I am steadily moving toward my goal. I am not totally buff by any means, but I can get through an hour of cardio or a few weight circuits just fine. I am female in my mid 30s. I work out at the Y and have access to Wii too. I don't think I'd enjoy hitting people or being hit, Million Dollar baby style. The only thing I know about kick boxing is what I know from watching Say Anything.

Music during De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao?

exhilaration — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 21:49:14 -0800

What was the orchestral music they kept playing during the De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao fight tonight? Not during the fight itself, but whenever they showed an old clip or some training footage, they had the same dramatic orchestral music playing. Can anyone identify it? Unfortunately I don't have a clip that I can point to, but I'm some MeFites recognized it immediately.

Up for the count.

Gordion Knott — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 03:05:36 -0800

Awesome books about boxers, and the age they lived in? I just polished off Tunney. The book won points with me because it strayed from its subject, the somewhat prosaic, braniac Gene Tunney, into riffs on the colorful Jack Dempsey, and extended passages on American history of the 1910s and 20s.

I'm looking for additional great books on boxers that also include an overview of the historical milieu.

What boxing books have floated your boat?

Yo Adrian!

PFL — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 20:00:56 -0800

I watched "Rocky" with my roommate last night and we had a debate about what happened when Rocky was knocked down in the 14th. Mickey yells "stay down!" to Rocky when he gets knocked down in the 14th round. Personally, I thought he was telling Rocky to stay down and take the knockout. My roommate thought he was telling Rocky to stay down and rest to take full advantage of the 10 count. I just thought that it was an displayed Rocky's determination to get back up even though he had every excuse to stay down.

Does anybody know what Mickey was really trying to say?

Help me choose a sport

mateuslee — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 07:15:25 -0800

Jiu jitsu vs. aiki jitsu vs. kick boxing vs. thai boxing etc: Which is best? So I noticed that the gym to which I belong has a bunch of interesting sports that are more appealing than the usual bunch (jazzercise, nordic walking, etc) and this seems interesting, but I know nothing about these sports... jiu jitsu sounds like fun, but then again, I'm not really sure what its all about. Sure, I could try them all, but I don't really have time and so I hope you guys can give me some hints.

I am in my late 20s, moderately healthy, walk/bike regularly.

I'd like to do a sport that keeps me in shape and, being the practical person that I am, will also give me some other benefit (e.g. learning self-defense). Yeah, walking and swimming will keep you in shape, but what of it? This is why these courses seem more appealing, like two birds with one stone.

So, happy to hear from those of you with experience in one of these sports and with some insights for a total novice.

Thanks!

Getting into boxing in Cambridge / Boston?

Pontius Pilate — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 07:48:28 -0800

Getting into boxing in Cambridge / Boston? I'd like to get into boxing. Zero prior experience, but I'm in decent enough shape (work out about 3x / week on average). I've read over some past AskMes about boxing, which had some good information, but I am looking for sort of basic n00b information. Where do I start? What can I expect? Things to look for or avoid? Oh, and if anyone can throw out some trainer or gym recommendations for Cambridge (best) or Boston (farther, but still works), that would be great. Thanks, all!

How to work with a heavy bag?

Manhasset — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 18:34:28 -0800

Newbie--never thrown a punch before--wants to work out with a heavy bag... So, someone just donated the following to me:

Century Vinyl Water Core 70 lbs Bag
Boes Leather Bag Gloves
TKO Wrist Wraps
300lbs Heavy Bag Spring Coil

But I've never thrown a punch before or done any boxing drills. I've read past Ask Qs regarding heavy bags but they don't really mention the basics of throwing a punch.

I don't live anywhere where I can take any lessons. How would you recommend starting? Are there web sites with good videos for newbies so that we don't break our wrists?

My goal is to build muscle/lose some weight, increase stamina/endurance.

Thanks!

Boxing Lessons in NYC

glooper — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 06:15:46 -0800

Looking for boxing lessons in NYC, open to group lessons or a personal trainer. 1. My girlfriend and I are looking to learn, have fun, and get a workout. I don't think we will make it to the Olympics, hopefully we can find a place tolerant of beginners.

2. If possible, I would like to purchase a series of lessons only and avoid buying a full membership at a parent health club.

Google produced a lot of listings and phone numbers but I had trouble finding any reviews or personal experiences.

I want to punch

Dr. Lurker — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:10:31 -0800

What kind of heavy bag should I get? My life has recently become quite stressful and I suddenly have the urge to hit stuff. I was looking at heavy bags on amazon and noticed they come in weights from 40 lbs to 100 lbs. The 40 lbs bags are a nice price, the 100 lbs not so nice. For an amateur that wants to release stress and maybe use it for exercise, what weight should I get? Any recommendations on specific brands, etc? I am a 31 year old 6ft tall 200 pound male in OK shape. I intend to hang it in my basement.

How can I be a silent (and compact) ninja?

ajp — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 17:31:10 -0800

Having recently moved to a small flat with little outside space, my free-standing kick-boxing bag is of no use. Even if I had room to hurl myself at it, I'd annoy the neighbours. What sort of equipment can I use to practice Thai boxing and grappling at home? I'm surrounded by neighbours on 5 of 6 sides, and the 5th wall has precious little space for mounted equipment because there are windows in the walls. Anything I get will either need to be relatively unobtrusive, or easily stowed away. So far I'm thinking of investing in:

1. Grapple dummy.
2. One of those flat, wall-mounted sandbags for punching.
3. Elastic-mounted speed-ball for speed punching.

Does anyone have any experience of purchasing or using these things? Are those wall-mounted sandbags really bad for joints?

One real problem is how can I practice kicks? I'd prefer something that can take a good solid impact.

Any other suggestions? I have plenty of other kit (skipping rope, gloves, weights, Thai pads etc) and I do get to train in a gym, but I'm specifically interested in training I can do by myself, in my own lounge. I can mount things on one wall, possibly, but I really need to insulate whatever I'm using so the sound won't travel. I think a grapple man on a thick wrestling mat might be the best I can hope for. Shame I can't punch it without the lights falling out of the ceiling in the flat below.

Any creative suggestions most welcome :-)

Blocking for dummies

Gordion Knott — Wed, 23 May 2007 03:32:04 -0800

Many Asian martial arts rely on an extensive, and often showy, system of blocks to protect the face and body. Boxing arts don't. Why? You've seen 'em in the movies. The elaborate blocks employed in kung fu, karate, and other Asian martial arts to guard against hits. Beyond protecting our sensitive areas, blocks can injure the arm or leg of an opponent, stopping an attack dead-on.

Muay Thai, kickboxing, and Western boxing seem to prefer ducks and dodges to blocks, and fighters are often on the receiving end of a bloody nose, a cracked rib, or a KO.

What's the philosophy of blocking in the boxing arts? Why have these arts taken a "muted" approach to blocks? In what ways is this style more effective than the aggressive blocks of Asian martial arts?

Where can I find a great boxing gym for a teenage boy in the South Bay area, SoCal?

sweetlyvicious — Thu, 03 May 2007 16:31:39 -0800

My youngest brother is 15 and became interested in boxing recently. So far we have the gear ready and laid down some ground rules (eg no boxing outside the club, keep up grades if want to continue). However, the club he was hoping to get into are not accepting new members and now he's crushed. We're looking for gyms in the Torrance/Lomita/PV/San Pedro. We live towards San Pedro, but my brother's high school is in Torrance. Hopefully there's a gym my brother could ride the bus to. I am also worried about him training with adults as he's quite slight. Any suggestions?

Am I turning into a boxing cartoon?

Ash3000 — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 08:39:08 -0800

Y'know how, in cartoons, when one is knocked out, particularly in a boxing match, there'll be stars floating around your head as you lay there? My grandfather said this was based on a real medical condition where boxers would see 'stars' of light in their field of vision after getting knocked out, and I need to know more about this. Details inside. So my grandfather always said (this was years ago) that this was inspired by a real condition where, if you get 'punch-drunk', you'll potentially see little points of light, or 'stars', floating around your field of vision. Recently, I've noticed that I'll sometimes, especially when I've been shaking my head around a lot, see little points of dark light, like the size of lady bugs floating around. Any help on this? Google has yielded nothing for me.

I want to read some great boxing books. Suggestions?

holdkris99 — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 10:47:42 -0800

What are the best boxing books in these three categories: History of Boxing, a specific fight, and a specific boxer bio?

Why do boxers wear hoods?

hypersloth — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 23:40:33 -0800

Why do boxers wear hooded robes before entering the ring? This question came up while watching "Raging Bull".. Having no luck finding an answer; it's trivial, but bugging us. Thanks in advance.

Oooh, after that haymaker his eye looks bad!

nekton — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 18:07:49 -0800

What is being used by the cutman to heal your boxer (reduce swelling) in the video game ESPN Fight Night Round 3? In ESPN Fight Night Rd. 3, when you are injured your cutman can heal you between rounds. To reduce swelling, he rubs what looks like some sort of block with a handle against your boxer's face. What is this tool? Is it used to reduce swelling "in real life"?

Help me re-learn to hit a speed bag

matteo — Mon, 10 Oct 2005 14:43:52 -0800

I can't hit a speed bag anymore. I've been boxing training for a couple years, then quit for six months, started again and I can't hit it anymore. It's like I never had a boxing lesson before (boy, I did). I thought it was like riding a bike, that one couldn't un-learn it. It seems more like golf, that without constant practice I'm screwed. My trainer is indeed baffled. Boxing MeFites, any past experiences? Thanks. Should I get a heavier bag? P.S. My deltoids hurt like hell.

boxing help!

stevejensen — Sat, 17 Sep 2005 14:17:25 -0800

Where to watch pay-per-view boxing in Chicago TONIGHT... None of the usual sports bars are showing the Barerra/Mosley fight on DirecTV PPV tonight, I've called all the places that usually do:
O'Tooles, Joe's on Weed St, ESPN Zone, Shenannigans etc.

Do you know of a place/bar that's in the city that will be showing it?'

Show starts at 8 pm cst....