Is Boxing Hard To Learn? (Answered)

Most people who are thinking about learning how to box ask themselves: “Is boxing hard to learn?”

Before you make the jump, read this article so you know what to expect!

Below we’ll discuss why boxing is hard to learn in some respects, and why it’s easy to learn considering others.

Is Boxing Hard To Learn?

No, boxing isn’t hard to learn, but it is difficult to master.

There’s a saying going around recently:

We don’t play boxing.

This quote explains why boxing can be so difficult: its fighters don’t consider it a sport.

Like surfing (“We don’t play surfing”), many people view boxing as a way of life, a calling.

From our personal experience, boxing is one of the most difficult sports that we’ve ever trained.

At the same time, we’ve found that boxing is a great entry-level martial art and one of the most beginner-friendly sports out there.

Below we’ll discuss the reasons why we think boxing can be hard or easy, depending on how you look at it.

Reasons Why Boxing Is Hard To Learn

Some of the reasons why boxing is hard to learn include:

• It Takes A Long Time To Get Good
• You Have To Train Everything
• You Take Full Responsibility For Failure

It Takes A Long Time To Get Good

The first reason why boxing is hard to learn is because it takes a long time to get good.

Beginners tend to underestimate how long it takes to get good at boxing, while overestimating their skill.

This is why the best age to start boxing generally trends younger, to give a boxer the maximum amount of time for training and growth.

If you started boxing later in life and want to progress quickly, you have to train efficiently and constantly expose yourself to better opponents.

You Have To Train Everything

The next reason why boxing is hard to learn is because you have to train everything.

To excel at this difficult sport, you have to train:

• Hand-eye coordination
• Footwork
• Physical conditioning
• Strength
• Agility

More than just technical training, you have to train your mental state as well and stay in control of your fight-or-flight response in the ring.

To contrast, look at the shortstop in baseball who can’t fill in for the pitcher or the punter in football who couldn’t sub in for the quarterback.

After you reach a certain skill level, you’ll find that boxing becomes more of a job than a sport.

On any given day, you’ll schedule a block of time for roadwork, another block for sparring, and another block for pad work.

You Take Full Responsibility For Failure

The last reason why boxing is hard to learn is because you take full responsibility for failure.

Even though you have the wisdom of your boxing coach and the support of your boxing gym to help you, in the end you’re on your own in the ring.

On the other hand, if you fail at basketball, you can always rely on your teammates to have your back or ask your coach to put you on the bench.

Failure means many different things to boxers, including taking paralyzing liver shots or getting knocked out cold.

To move forward, you have to decide what failure in boxing means to you.

Once you accept this responsibility, boxing becomes much easier (and much more fun).

Reasons Why Boxing Is Easy To Learn

On the other hand, some of the reasons why boxing is easy to learn include:

• Boxing Has A Low Barrier Of Entry
• You Can Learn The Basics By Yourself
• You Have A High Amount Of Information On The Internet

Boxing Has A Low Barrier To Entry

The first reason why boxing is easy to learn is because it has a low barrier to entry.

This is part of boxing’s mass appeal: anyone of any age, race, or class can join.

Most boxing gyms will accept you as you are, with whatever clothes or shoes you have on at the moment.

To start boxing, you don’t need a basketball court, or a surfboard, or a hockey stick.

You can show up to your local fitness gym and work the punching bag or learn the basics by yourself without any equipment, as we’ll discuss next.

You Can Learn The Basics By Yourself

The next reason why boxing is easy to learn is because you can learn the basics by yourself.

You can start your boxing journey right now just by getting off the screen and going outside to jump rope or shadowbox.

You don’t even need a pair of boxing gloves to learn how to throw the basic punches.

We should warn you though: if you spend too much time learning boxing by yourself, you might grow bad habits when throwing punches or holding a stance.

Because of this, you should join a gym as soon as possible and get feedback on your technique.

You Have A High Amount of Information On The Internet

The last reason why boxing is easy to learn is because you have a high amount of information on the Internet.

This is one of the newer developments in the boxing world today.

The last generation had to go to a boxing gym and earn the boxing coach’s time, and could only watch their favorite boxers once in a while via pay-per-view.

Now you have access to your favorite fighter’s fights on YouTube, meticulous technique breakdowns, and online coaches.

If you want to copy a move or take notes on your favorite boxing style, all you have to do is pause the video, rewind, and then replay it at half speed.

And to top it off, you have this blog to guide you on your journey!

Conclusion

Even if you don’t become a pro boxer, learning the sweet science is one of the best decisions you can make for yourself.

Just by picking up a simple training routine, boxing will teach you:

• How to defend yourself
• Self-confidence
• How to push your limits

If you really think about it, it doesn’t matter which combat sport you choose to learn; everything is hard.

We can say this for sure: once you box for some time, you’ll find that everything else in life becomes easier.