Wondering what the best age is to start boxing?
To maximize skill and compete successfully, the best age to start boxing is 7 to 12 years old.
But boxing doesn’t necessarily mean fighting. There are other reasons to start boxing, such as learning self-defense, building up confidence, and getting in shape.
For an adult, decide for yourself why you want to start boxing. It’s one of the hardest sports, but also one of the most rewarding sports. The best time for you to start is now!
Keep reading to learn the best age to start boxing!
Ages 3-6
At this age, it’s not good to start boxing as kids at this age haven’t strength, coordination, and attention span required to box yet.
In these years, kids are sponges, watching and copying whatever they see adults around them do. They learn about the world more through observation rather than interaction.
If you’re a parent who boxes, bring your child to the gym with you while you train and get her comfortable in the environment.
Make sure she sees you having fun with your friends and doing your best, and she’ll do the same.
Teach basic coordination skills, such as catching and bouncing a tennis ball. Even a simple game like Tag can teach basic ideas like cutting off the ring or feinting.
Children are much smarter than we give them credit for, but we need to be careful regardless.
Of course, at this age it’s up to the parent. If you want your kid to go pro, start as early as possible since it takes a long time to get good at boxing.
(On this note, we can’t think of a single professional fighter who made it because their parents forced them to.)
The most famous example of a boxer who started at this age was Floyd Mayweather Jr, who grew up around Floyd Mayweather Sr. and Roger Mayweather, both professional boxers.
Ages 7-12
Ages 7-12 are the best years to start boxing.
The strength, coordination, and attention span required to box are developing day by day.
Kids at this age have no fear, so you can slowly introduce the pressure and competition of boxing. At the same time, you begin to introduce rules, structure, and discipline.
At this age, kids are still learning about the world via observation, but now they are able to interact with it more.
Parents should still prioritize their child’s development, finding that balance between supporting them and challenging them.
Let your child make mistakes and praise her whenever you can. Don’t be that guy in the bleachers harassing their kid. This leads to resentment, burn out, and injury.
Now is a good time to begin vetting gyms and introduce a coach that you trust. This relationship will set your child up for success as they get older.
Ages 13-17
Ages 13-17 are the best years to grow in boxing.
At this point, kids have the basic coordination skills and athleticism and are comfortable with boxing’s mechanics and environment.
They’ll continue to build skills and test them, and begin to spar and compete, all within a safe environment and with proper equipment.
In these years, they have extreme energy and quick recovery time, and can use boxing as an outlet for puberty. This is also the best time for young adults to be guided by a coach.
At this point of life, it’s good to see hard work and dedication translate into victories. That confidence will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
Ages 18-21
Like the previous age, this is the best age for growth.
At this point they’ve spent enough time boxing and should know whether they’re cut out for it.
They may reach a plateau, where boxing becomes a chore, or a hurdle, where they’ll face someone who got twice as better with half the effort. If and when that moment comes, they’ll know whether they can live without boxing.
If this happens to you, don’t worry. Balance boxing with life and keep it up as a hobby and for personal fitness.
Remember that boxing doesn’t always mean fighting.
Famous examples of boxers who started at this age are Bernard Hopkins and Sonny Liston.
Ages 22-30
This is similar to 18-21 but by this time, you’re in the full swing of life, balancing work, relationships, and independence.
Most people are reaching their peak physical years and brain development. By now they can decide for themselves if they want to pursue boxing full-time.
For those that are new to boxing, use it to stay fit, challenge yourself, and make new friends wherever you go for work or travel.
Even internationally, stop by a boxing gym and tell them want to train while you’re visiting. Be humble, work hard, and you’ll make friends. There’s no friendship like that of someone who was trying to drop you with a liver shot five minutes ago.
For those who want to compete and go professional, it’s still possible. If you want to be world champion and you’re starting from scratch, you’d better stop reading this article and get to work.
As you approach 30, you’ll have less energy and more recovery time. Injuries will become more common. Add your job and life responsibilities, and it becomes that much more difficult.
Self-awareness becomes more important as you begin to ask yourself why you chose to start boxing instead of enjoying the comfortable haze of Netflix and Sunday brunch.
The most famous boxer who started in this age range is Rocky Marciano.
Ages 31+
At this age, self-awareness is paramount. Before jumping in, ask yourself what your goal is. This will help you to train with efficiency and will leave you with no regrets.
Consider where you are in life: you may have a stable career and a family that depends on you. In terms of health, your recovery time is high, injuries are common, and 8 hours of sleep are mandatory.
Many hesitate and ask themselves if they’re too old to start boxing. The answer is no, you’re not too old. It’s never too late to learn new skills and get fit.
To compete and go professional is a different beast. Most pros start to wind down their career at this point.
If you want to compete, the upper age limit for amateurs is 40; it’s recommended that you fight 20-25 times before turning pro.
Even though that number seems small, each fight takes countless hours of preparation.
The odds are stacked against you, but as long as you act with your goal in mind, you’re headed in the right direction.
Where Should You Go From Here?
Now that you know the best age to start boxing, you can make the best decision for your child or for yourself.
No matter your age, anyone can pick up something useful from boxing.
As a parent, you’ll watch your child become a strong, disciplined person.
If you’re a teen or young adult, you can learn self-defense, build confidence, and make lifelong friends.
As an adult, you can learn boxing to stay in shape and challenge yourself with a new hobby. It’s never too late to begin!
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