Novice/Ametuer fights

[Fisher]

Hi, i was just wondering how these fights are evenly matched for people just starting to fight? like lets say you have a person who has been training for a year and starts ametuer, but you also have a person who has been training for lets say 3 years and just starts his ametuer career. Obviously this wouldnt be evenly matched, and would be detramental to the confidence of the person who had been training for 1 year. Would this just be the 1 year training fighters bad luck or what?
I've done an interclub, and that is based on how long a fighter has been training and weight obviously, which i think is good...but ametuer career is just take what you get sort of thing?

Joel

[southpaw]

hey fisher IMHO the time spent training b4 first fight in most cases shouldnt give that much of an advantage 4 two reasons. 1 both fighters will be nervous and probably will take time to settle into it so skill goes out the window 4 the first part (or at least thats what i found my first fight :)
second fighters generally are only put in to fight when their trainer believes they are ready so some guys may only need 1 yr to get prepared compared to some other guy who may need 3-4.
thats how i see it, reality of it could be completely different obviously.

[TAO @ JTS]

hi fisher and cheyne,

this is good topic... i think that attempting the first fight is quite a daunting exp for many beginner fighters. i believe that these interclub sparring sessions are a brilliant way to get the ball rolling and/or see if you have what it takes to be a fighter without getting banged up too much.

however, i was recently witness to a beginner amatuer fight involving an extremely well built heavyweight, with biceps that were quite literally bigger than my thighs. needless to say this man of epic proportions KO'd his opponent in the first 10 secs of the rnd 1, with 16Oz glove and headgear on... i feel as though guys of this stature and this one obviously coming from fighting stock shouldn't be competing in this type of tournament. that's just my opinion.

however this is an extreme example also... most of the novice fights that i've attended with my guys have been more than helpful as a stepping stone to a fighting future. many of my fighters incl. Konsaknoi, Mei Hua, Teiporoa, Dylan all began their fighting days in the novice fights...

as far as matching is concerned it is difficult. weight isn't such an issue but exp can be. as beginners, it is difficult to know exactly what a young fighter will actually do in the ring... at training, in the comfort of their own gym, and sparring with their team mates, a beginner may show all the qualities of being a very promising fighter, but then choke in the ring under the pressure of a cheering crowd etc. others who seem a bit apprehensive at training come alive on fight night, and shine...

regardless, considering the fights take place with 16Oz gloves, body guards/shields, elbow pads, shin pads (the thick leather ones) and head gear... you're pretty safe in there to give yourself a good shot at it. added to which the referee's are well aware that the match ups are lossely based on weight and skill level/history, they know that sometimes one will definately be a stronger fighter... the ref's have called off many fights that have been too one sided... not necessarily because the other fighter was hurt, but that he wasn't in any position too win. this can be initially disappointing for the young fighter, but atleast he lives to fight another day, and, he can take his experiences back to the gym and work on the weaknesses and consolidate the strengths he showed in the ring. i believe that first fights present a good opportunity for the fighter to recognise what they may be lacking in, and can often rekindle the inspiration to train harder and smarter...

i think also that beginner/novice fighters shouldn't be too concerned with whether they actually win their first bout, but more with how well they fought. fighting success and titles are something that you work towards over many fights, hence, your first fight should be the beginning of this learning curve and not be it's summit. having said that of course you should attempt to give 100% in your fights regarless of whether its your first or your 100th. if you give a 100% and lose it just means more work in the gym, its not the end of the world, infact it can often be the beginning.

novice fights are IMO a great stepping stone to professional fighting and i try to get my guys on these shows regularly. i believe each and everyone of them has benefitted in their latter fights from doing them. i think also that sometimes its best to get into these things fairly soon in your training... obviously not too soon, but when the skill level of a novice picks up at training and they're becoming comfortable with each aspect of the training incl sparring, jump in... i think it helps with the training and that the skill level develops faster in the long run from participating in these events.

so i say "go and get em... have a crack". if you trust your trainer and your training you should be okay in there. your trainer will also be looking after your best interest. if your not doing so well, he'll throw the towel in, and you can both take the exp, back to the gym and train for the next one.

this is my opinion anyway... i think this is a good topic, i'd like to hear the ideas of others who are interested in this subject... after all, you guys who are getting in the novice/amatuer ring now, may well be the Pixe's and Preacher's, and JWP's of the future.

CHOK DEE
TAO (JOOK)

[imported_n/a]

I would agree 100% with Tao here. These are invaluable for not just fighters who may get in the ring but also underage fighters who are prevented from competing and also for those that train in the sport but may have no desire or opportunity to have a ring career.

One of the keys here is that both trainer and fighter must have the goal of "work" in mind. You are there for the experience thus its the time to try your techniques, see what works and make your mistakes rather than take the easy option and blast someone out with repeated shots to the head.

My youngest at 9 years old does interclubs, usuually boxing due to lack of 9 year olds who do thai, and enjoys them immensely - indeed the three bouts he has had he and his opponents have shown maturity and skill well beyond their years. This can only benefit the sport.

[southpaw]

tao you really love the sound of your keyboard tapping away dont you <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
always got a nice long answer for the real good questions...

just wanted to add after reading tao's post, you definitely learn things in the ring you can never pick up training, after every fight (5 in total) i've had i always walk back into the gym a better fighter, win lose or draw (esp. lose, that's where you learn the most, hence why i've learnt alot <img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle> <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>)

see you at j.n.i. show tao, taking your advice it's time to give the grapple a go..

[DazMon]

quote:fighters shouldn't be too concerned with whether they actually win their first bout, but more with how well they fought
This is what I try to push too, winners get complacent, losers usually come back a more complete fighter. But the old cliche that 'everyone who steps into the ring is a winner' couldn't be more true of those novice fight nights.

+-+-+-+-+-+-+
Oooooh Yeah!
+-+-+-+-+-+-+

[TAO @ JTS]

hey southy,

good to see you jumping in for an MT fight... the clinch is a tough and technical game... be sure to keep the miles up running and grapple every night mate atleast half an hour... get your team mates to take turns grappling you so that they're always fresh and your getting tired... if you can get through this at training its easy in the fight... but remember the clinch can be exhuasting for guys who aren't used to it... it can sap your energy so quickly... so mate two weeks to go.... grapple grapple grapple.

look forward to seeing again mate

CHOK DEE
TAO (JOOK)

PS i've never had a quote at the end of my posts but i'll add one now...

IF YOU WANT TO FIGHT... TRAIN
IF YOU WANT TO WIN... TRAIN HARDER !!!

[Bushi]

TAO,

At least this time offereing advice to Southpaw he's not fighting one of your guys....<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Wasn't it the nutrition / making weight thread some time ago !!

Off the topic a little, it's great to see trainers & fighters interacting with each other, ALL for the betterment of the sport.

Keep it up..

Bushi

"Yours in Bushido"

[southpaw]

thanz for the advice, already on it, hard when everyone's bigger than me but i guess that'll just make it easier on the night (i hope)... don't have to point out the grapple is exhausting found that out very quickly, drains you physically but more mentally, have to be always thinking, a lot to learn, but definitely enjoying it... looking forward to this one.