Boxing is much more than just a sport. If you’ve ever had the opportunity to train, you’d understand that boxing entails not just stamina and endurance, but also heart. It’s so much more than simply hitting the heavy bag or focus mitts. It’s a battle between head, heart and body – the ability to persist and persevere, even when you’re down to your last straw. That’s why we believe that boxing can and will change your life, once you commit to it.
- Beyond physical strength:
Having a strong, fit body would be the result of your intense training sessions. See, you’d be spending several hours jumping rope, training with the heavy bags, shadowboxing, and maybe even sparring.
However, apart from learning the various boxing techniques, you’d also be entering the best shape of your life – both physically and mentally. Which means you’d be able to uncover the strength needed to push past your limits and climb out your comfort zone. And ultimately, this strength would help you overcome life’s day-to-day challenges.
- Teaches you the value of hard work and discipline:
If you want success, you have to fully commit and always give your all in whatever it is you’re doing. Without training regularly, drilling, and putting in enough effort, you wouldn’t go far in boxing. After all, it’s no secret that hard work is what separates the great from the good.
Apart from having the discipline to train hard, you’d also ensure that you’re always making healthier choices – so that you can maximize your performance in the gym. Although sacrifices have to be made, you’ll understand that you’re making them for the better, and remember why you even wanted to do it in the first place. Basically, once you decide that you want to be the best, you’ll do what it takes to get there.
- Builds Confidence:
For those who are in need of a confidence boost, why not try boxing? Besides getting a good workout, you’d also build up your confidence as you watch yourself progress. Over time, you’ll believe in yourself and your fighting abilities, rather than dwell on your insecurities. After all, why waste time entertaining negativity when you could be turning your weaknesses into strengths?
The beauty of self-confidence is that you’d be able to mute that inner voice of doubt, and take charge of your life. That means you’d focus on things that you can do – such as staying fit and improving – rather than let external things control your life. When this happens, you’d definitely be able to make every fleeting moment count.
- Teaches you how to adapt to change
How many of us can honestly just embrace the unexpected and go with the flow? It can be difficult to adjust to tough situations, or deal with change. Fortunately, boxing would teach you to adapt and evolve to change because you’d learn to adjust to different fighting styles.
When training and sparring, you wouldn’t be afraid to try various combinations as well as pick up new techniques – all in the name of becoming unpredictable in the ring. What’s more, you’d be able to handle the unfamiliar and take things as they come. In fact, you’d be more than happy to engage in all kinds of situations because you’ll realise that it’s what helps you grow.
- Learn to accept imperfection:
Nobody’s perfect. The thing is, not everyone is able to accept their flaws, and this could sometimes lead to low self-esteem or get in the way of unleashing their potential.
However, when you take up boxing, you’ll realise that it’s okay to run out of steam before the training session ends, or that you’re going to take a while to understand a certain technique. What matters is that you don’t ever stop trying, and that you keep improving by 1% every single day. You’ll also learn that without imperfection, there would be nothing to work on to get better – and there’s nothing worse than remaining stagnant.
Welcome to the online space for African Ring. We are dedicated to covering all the latest news and events in the world of South African boxing. African Ring is solely owned and run by Jeff Ellis. Jeff Ellis’s participation and commitment to the sport of boxing is well documented. He has acquired a formidable background regarding boxing through years of commitment, participation and passion for this sometimes brutal yet gratifying sport. Having participated at all levels of the sport (as a boxer, trainer, publisher, matchmaker, promoter, official and International Fight Commissioner) his wealth of experience has certainly complimented the formation of African Ring. 1959 was the year Jeff had his first ring experience, winning a decision and along with it a small trophy: his then prized possession. Today his collection of boxing photographs, which runs well into the thousands, is his prized possession. African Ring, Jeff’s publishing company, is the sole publisher for Golden Gloves (Pty) Ltd souvenir boxing programs.