I'm seriously thinking about taking on an amateur bout.

There's so many reasons why I shouldn't do it. I have brittle bone disease. I have a great job that requires my fingers be operational. I really don't like the sensation of being hit.

But if I can pull this off, I can pull off anything. If someone ever tells me I can't do something, I'll tell them, "I once fought in the ring, ************. I can do anything I want." I will have answered a challenge that pushes the extremities of human capability.

Of course, I'm going to need to train some more: build more muscle, build more stamina, build more speed, and cut more weight. But, I take my training very seriously. The only question is: should I train for a fight, or should I train as if I were training for a fight?

You have full permission to make fun of this post. I completely accept any verbal barbs that come my way.

I too often flirt with the idea of taking a fight. The way I see it, if you're taking it just so you can say 'I've been in the ring' and that's that, by all means, go for it. The only person you're trying to prove anything to is yourself.

I'm not seeing the distinction between 'training for a fight' and 'training as if I were training for a fight' as they both seem to be saying the exact same thing. I'd say, however, don't do either until you actually have the fight lined up.

There's so many reasons why I shouldn't do it. I have brittle bone disease. I have a great job that requires my fingers be operational. I really don't like the sensation of being hit.

Nobody likes getting hit, all the way up to the best in the world. That's not really relevant. But the fact that your livelihood depends on not being injured combined with you being apparently easily injured makes this sound like a spectacularly terrible idea.

I've had multiple fights. I don't use it as a license to proclaim my bravery.

In other words if this is why you are fighting:
"But if I can pull this off, I can pull off anything. If someone ever tells me I can't do something, I'll tell them, "I once fought in the ring, ************. I can do anything I want." I will have answered a challenge that pushes the extremities of human capability."

Don't bother.

The difference between being "foolhardy" and "courageous" is regret.

If you can foresee regret (as Neo mentions above), then you are going into it foolhardy.

I've had multiple fights. I don't use it as a license to proclaim my bravery.

No, not a license to proclaim my bravery. That's not what this is about. This is about living with less limits. It is about a challenge. If I can pull this off, I think I can do almost anything.

If you want to do it for fun and your own betterment go ahead. If you have severe, I've read there are different levels, brittle bone disease it is IMO foolhardy.

Some of the best feelings I've had have been after i've came out the ring. I've only ever competed in a muay thai interclub and some random open "kung fu" tourny, but it was a goal that I set myself and one that I needed to push myself to achieve. I think I know what you mean about it not being a license to proclaim your bravery, to me it was more of a benchmark of my mental and physical strength (I was nervous as hell before and tired as hell afterwards), so less of giving me a license to proclaim anything to the world, more of testing myself and giving myself confidence and knowing that if need be I can step up the level far beyond my comfort zone. I would definitly say go for it as long as you are fairly sure that you will not sustain any permanent injurys that will hinder any other aspect of your life. If you don't do it just because your scared theres allways gonna be a part of you that looks back and goes "hmm, am I a *****?".

But if I can pull this off, I can pull off anything. If someone ever tells me I can't do something, I'll tell them, "I once fought in the ring, ************. I can do anything I want."

"Foolhardy", "courageous"... pfft.

Let's tackle "delusional" first, OK?

If you want to do it for fun and your own betterment go ahead. If you have severe, I've read there are different levels, brittle bone disease it is IMO foolhardy.

I have a mild case. To be honest with you, I haven't had a severe break since I was 14-years-old. My last break was two years ago when I kicked a dumbbell and broke my toe. But that healed in a month, and I was still able to walk.

To be honest with you, the biggest risk is falling awkwardly. But then again, that's the same risk I take every day.

I read about how Pacquiao broke Margarito's orbital bone. But I wonder if the typical amateur has that kind of power.

I have a mild case. To be honest with you, I haven't had a severe break since I was 14-years-old. My last break was two years ago when I kicked a dumbbell and broke my toe. But that healed in a month, and I was still able to walk.

To be honest with you, the biggest risk is falling awkwardly. But then again, that's the same risk I take every day.

Ahhh......



I read about how Pacquiao broke Margarito's orbital bone. But I wonder if the typical amateur has that kind of power.This is when you talk to promoters on this board and make sure your coach has your best interest at heart. If it is your first fight you do not want to be put up against someone with more than 3 fights IMO. Hell, you'd preferably want someone with one or none like you.

Setting a goal, for whatever personal reason is a good thing. If it makes you feel "courageous" then that is why you do it.

"Foolhardy", "courageous"... pfft.

Let's tackle "delusional" first, OK?

I considered "delusional" too. But I honestly can't think of a bigger challenge for me than entering an amateur bout.

It sounds like you really want to do it and are just looking for that little push to get you over the edge.

My opinion: go for it. The more you convince yourself you shouldn't do it, the more you'll end up wanting to do it. Just make sure you take IIF's advice and fight someone with a comparable amount of experience. You don't want your first foray into the ring to be your last (and don't be surprised if your one ammy fight turns into two or three).
Good luck and make sure to post vids.:bully:

Hey man, big respect for wanting to push your boundaries and live with fewer limitations. That's commendable by Anyones standards.

To answer your question, the difference between courage and foolhardiness is often one of forethought. I'll echo uncle Skippys sentiment here. You say you're tempted to fight in order to attain a sense of empowerment, and I think this fairly common amongst new students in a competitive art. I'm guessing your coach already knows about the brittle bone disease and that it caused you no problems so far, as boxing is heavy on the sparring. You need to ask your coach if you're ready for this, and listen to him. You need to make sure the promoter in question is pitting you against a suitable opponent. And you NEED to check with your doctor before hand that a heavy contact sport like boxing's acceptable considering your condition.

Think honestly about what your goal is in taking this fight, and whether it's realistic. what's the worst case scenario regarding it's outcome, and what is the likelihood of you having to face it? If you do, are you ready to deal with the physical and
psychological implications of said beating? Having considered these questions and come up with answers will give you more chance of being courageous than foolhardy, but remember, those terms are not mutually exclusive.

If you decide to take a fight, then I wish you the best of luck, and congratulate you on your decision. Boxing is a great sport and I have no doubt that it will do wonders for you. If, however, you decide not to fight, I hope you remember that there's no shame in not being ready for it yet. Or in putting your health before your pride, should that decision be medically warranted.

Apologies for any weirdness / bad spelling. I am replying from my I phone for the first time and am quite pissed.

Not kn

Courageousness is actually the 'Golden Mean' between cowardice and foolhardiness - according to Aristotle.
Hey man, as long as you're not like Mr.Glass in that movie Unbreakable and you have the go ahead from your doc its all good.
I had a good number of Amateur bouts , but never a professional one and I wish I had. Not because I wanted to prove anything to myself or anyone else, but just to push things to that next level - as you are contemplating doing.
If its not going to endanger your health, do it. Otherwise you may find yourself 40'ish and wishing you had done it when you were in good enough shape and young enough to pull it off.
:cachas:

I'd say the only difference between the two is success as everything else besides that in the situation beforehand is speculation and opinion.