Born on September 12, 1957 in La Romana, the largest city of Dominican Republic, Eleoncio Mercedes was a world champion boxer in the Flyweight division.

Most of Mercedes’ boxing career was spent in the United States and Mexico. He debuted as a professional boxer on July 2 of 1978 in a fight against Darryl Jones in which he won. His first taste of defeat was in a fight against Joey Olivo in Las Vegas. It was Mercedes’ third bout as a professional boxer. It was in 1979 where his first eleven fights were done in Mexico. During that span of his boxing career, he garnered 6-3-2 record in various Mexican places such as Mexico City, Reynosa, and Monterrey. He also lost to Candido Tellez and Juan Diaz but eventually beat Guty Espadas, a former world boxing champion by a knockout

In 1982, Mercedes had his first boxing fight in his home country through a rematch with Diaz. The fight was held in Santo Domingo and ended with Mercedes winning the bout by decision in twelve rounds. Until that moment, his record was 10-6-2 – 10 wins, six losses, and two draws.

In a surprising decision, the World Boxing Conference (WBC) announced that they are giving Mercedes the chance to be a world champion. On November 6, 1982, he fought two time world champion Freddie Castillo in Los Angeles. Surprisingly, Mercedes won the fight and brought home the World Flyweight Champion, a title that gave pride to Dominican flag. Mercedes defended his title for the first time against Charlie Magri. During the seventh round of the fight he suffered a cut and eventually lost his title to Magri. After that, he continued his boxing career but was only able to win some.

On December 22, 1985, at the aged of 28, Mercedes was killed by a police officer in unclear circumstances. He was shot because he was allegedly pulling out a gun at the police officer.

If you’re training to be a pro boxer, amateur boxer, or even a fight, one thing you’ll definitely want is a “boxer’s body.” What do I mean by a boxer’s body? It’s quite simple. Look at the greats of the boxing world like Muhammad Ali. Broad shoulders, built back, chest, and triceps.

And what do all boxers have in common? They train hard on the punch bags. A boxing bag is the boxer’s number one tool. So how does this contribute to getting a boxer body? Well, let us define a boxer body.

On an overall basis, I would define a boxer’s body as being very firm. This is key to having a boxer’s body and all pro boxers have this. Just go up to a boxer in the gym next time and give him a punch on the arm or chest! Whether he is muscularly built or not, you’ll feel as though you just punched a wall or a 250 lb heavy bag. If you look at fighters in the boxing world, you’ll notice a couple of things.

1) They are not all huge in terms of muscle mass

2) Muscles of many boxers aren’t overly defined

It is a common misconception that boxers are supposed to, or do, have bodies like weightlifters. This is not the case. Remember that muscle mass does not equate to strength. Proof of this lies in the MMA/UFC cages.

We’ve all seen very muscular fighters get completely owned by fighters who have very little muscular mass. A great example of this was the Lyoto Machida vs. Evans fight in UFC 98.

So a boxer body therefore equates to a body with much inner strength. An exercise that helps gain inner strength, that is, strength of the tissues, organs and ligaments, is hindu pushups. Another exercise is grappling and throwing a punching bag dummy. These help to built inner strength and not necessarily huge muscles.

So the secret to developing a real boxer’s body is to train like them. Do exercises that contribute to your inner strength. Meditate, train hard on the punch bags and don’t give up. If you want to firm up, use the boxing bag to train in rounds. Move around so you develop both endurance as well. To really firm up your muscles, you’re going to have to do a lot of cardio and inner strength training.

Boxing gloves come in different sizes and different styles. So how do I know what is right for me?

The size of the glove you choose will depend to some extent on the size of your body. The bigger you are, the easier it is going to be to control heavier boxing gloves. If you have a smaller body frame then I would suggest using lighter gloves.

The heavier gloves will mean more weight for you to lift each time you punch. This can assist with developing strength in your upper body and will also give you a more powerful workout.

Lighter boxing gloves will be easier to lift thus enabling you to work on your speed. You will be able to punch faster with lighter gloves which will also help you work on your cardiovascular fitness.

Some boxing gloves have the thumb attached to the rest of the glove. This will ensure that your thumb cannot be stretched backward which is a fantastic safety precaution.

You might like to also consider grappling gloves if you are doing an interval boxing circuit. The grappling gloves have no palm which allows you to grip the bar to do chin ups, or to lift weights without having to take the gloves off. This means no time is wasted putting boxing gloves on or off and you can concentrate on keeping your heart rate elevated during your boxing circuit.

So when choosing which boxing gloves to buy, consider your body weight and what style of boxing you will be using them for. For general speed and fitness work the lighter gloves will be a good choice. For strength development the heavier gloves should be your choice.

Kick boxing is part of mixed martial arts training and has become a highly sought after activity to improve health and build muscle tone. Having been introduced to the United States sports industry in the early 1970s, it has since grown as an intensive and challenging workout. The high standard of cardio activity has gained increased recognition among fitness enthusiasts offering a dynamic approach during group classes and structured gym sessions.

Kick boxing is a combination of martial arts and traditional boxing allowing attacks using the hands and feet. In Asian practice, opponents engage the elbows and knees during a fight. Participation in a structured class can produce a variety of long term health benefits provided that it is performed under the guidance of experienced trainers and safe gym environment.

A stimulating and whole body workout is provided with kick boxing programs that can burn over 500 calories within an hour of activity. It is a fitness approach recommended for men and women who wish to lose weight and tone physique through a specific form of exercise. For optimum health and improvements in functionality, top-of-the-line cardio actions deliver both mental and physical prowess.

The unique sport targets the different muscle and joint groups during the performance of high kicks, punches and knee jabs incorporated in many self defense and even dance classes. The cardiovascular workout aims to improve stamina, coordination and sheer confidence. The intensive approach to fitness offers a multitude of benefits for individual health and can be enjoyed by both novices and masters.

Physical fitness activities targeting core bodily components maintain a slim and toned appeal. With a shapely physique and strong function, one is equipped to engage in endurance sports and provide essential skills for future self defense. The challenge provides improvements in cardiovascular health and the opportunity to condition the body.

Mental benefits enable participants to implement self control and discipline with a commitment to the process. A specialized trainer can teach beginners the basics and the correct physical form to prevent injuries and support efficient results. Understanding the skills and its application develops persistence and enhanced confidence in different levels and spheres of exercise.

The popularity of kick boxing training as a form of highly intensive cardio workouts has grown among beginners and professional fitness enthusiasts. Reliance on experienced and skilled instructors in a group class or individual session can assist in learning specialized techniques encouraging mental and physical benefits. Certified programs introduce a challenging workout that will go beyond a regular exercise plan.

An authentic boxing workout is very different from box-aerobics. In an aerobic style class/DVD you punch into the air. With a boxing workout you hit targets – punching bags or punch mitts. But you still need a routine to call the shots and push you through your workout. This article explains why an audio / Mp3 routine works better than a DVD for boxing, and gives 5 tips for getting started.

Tip 1 – Watch the target, not the screen.

If you are following a boxing workout on a TV or computer screen, there is a higher chance of miss-hitting the target. When you hit a target such as a punching bag or punch mitt you need to be focused on that target, not a screen. One reason is the safety factor. The angle of your fist against the target is critical. Anyone who has miss-hit a hook or uppercut knows what I’m talking about. Ouch.

Tip 2 – Learn the moves visually, then switch to audio.

Audio works best, but only once you have learned the moves. If I say throw a double jab, cross, hook, cross but you don’t know how to throw a proper jab or even what it looks like, it’s going to be difficult to learn that from audio only. It is possible, but only if the audio track contains very clear technique tips. So the main point is – learn your good technique from a proper boxing trainer (not a personal trainer, unless they really know boxing), or from video. Then switch to audio only.

Tip 3 – Train the Authentic way.

Find a boxing workout routine that has authentic punches and combos. In other words, not box-aerobics. If you are going to do a fitness boxing workout, you may as well learn to punch correctly. After all, someone is going to want to see your uppercut one day – so you’d better be able to look the part! Also, in my view the “beat timed” aerobics approach does not work for boxing. How can you keep a beat for a jab, cross, slip cross, hook, cross combo? Especially on the punch mitts!

Tip 4 – Take the workout with you.

One of my students, Louise, 46, and from the UK had lost a lot of weight with her class boxing workouts. She went on holidays recently and wanted to keep up the good work. She was able to load an audio boxing workout to her iPod and work out while she was away. Her partner knew how to hold punch mitts, so they packed a pair to take with them. That’s the other great thing about an audio workout – it travels well.

Tip 5 – Make sure your audio workout is compatible with your boxing equipment.

What sort of boxing equipment have you got? Punch mitts (also called focus pads)? Punching Bag? Speedbag? If your audio or DVD routine is designed to work with shadow boxing (air punching) it may not work so well on the punch mitts with a partner, which has its’ own timing, technique and safety factors. Here’s a few quick tips to match up your equipment with your delivery method for your routine.

If you are training with a partner indoors using punch mitts = use a CD based routine so you both can hear.

If you are training with a partner outdoors = use an Mp3, where one hears, then calls the shots to the other.

If you are training on a speedbag (a.k.a speedball) = normal combos like jab,cross,hook will not work.

If you are training on a punching bag by yourself = use either CD or Mp3.

Golden Rules to Survive Them AND Learn How to Box!

Being an active, competitive boxer requires that you attend one of the many boxing gyms scattered throughout many towns and cities across many countries all across the world. Even in those countries where professional boxing is banned (for example Norway and Sweden), there are a wealth of well-run amateur boxing gyms where the skills and techniques of the noble art are taught for a very reasonable price. To learn how to box is really one of life’s cheaper pursuits (assuming the cost is not measured in blood, sweat and tears of course).

It being the case then that there are many boxing gyms and it will only be by a quirk of geography, a lack of desire to box competitively or some medical-type reason (for example acute agoraphobia) that might prevent you from joining one of the community boxing gyms to learn how to box, I wanted to write a short article to provide 3 simple rules to observe if you are about to cross the threshold of a local boxing gym in your area.

Without further ado, let’s go over the simple considerations that will allow you to cope with the new environment of the boxing gym and learn how to box in double-quick time.

Rule 1:

Don’t feel the need to go and spend piles of cash on sparring gloves, head-gear, boxing boots and so on. Keep it simple in the short-term. You will need as a minimum training clothes and shoes, boxing wraps and shower gear. That’s it. You don’t even need in the short term to buy bag gloves or a skipping rope as the gym will provide these. As time passes and you make a decision as to whether you like being around boxing gyms, you can spend your dollars on the bag gloves, skipping rope, boxing boots and gum shield. All other gear will continue to be provided by the gym.

It is worth understanding that you might want to avoid buying gloves for sparring as the coach will often want to assess their suitability to be used in his or her boxing ring. On a number of occasions I’ve had to disappoint boxers by refusing to allow them to wear their freshly imported and eye-wateringly expensive gloves for sparring because of the lack of padding in the knuckle area. A boxing coach’s primary responsibility is to the safety of the boxers, so they will not mind at all leaving you with a very, very expensive pair of bag gloves rather than allow those gloves into their sparring ring where the risk of injury to one of his or her boxers will increase.

Rule 2:

When you join, don’t feel upset that the coach does not immediately welcome you to the gym with open arms and spend every waking moment bestowing their knowledge upon you. The reality of most boxing gyms is that the coach is very, very busy and time is always a commodity they need more of. Whilst being flat-out busy is not an entirely acceptable excuse for ignorance, there is a much more understandable reason for them to, as you see it, disregard your considerable efforts and focus on others. The reason is quite simple really, they are testing you.

In the boxing gyms of yester-year, the number of young Dempsey wannabes wishing to don the gloves and throw themselves into the sport probably outnumbered modern patronage by at least 10 to 1. Back in the day, when insurance policies were less fear-inducing to those who ran the boxing gyms, the main method used by coaches to gauge the commitment of hopeful pugilist was to throw them in the ring with very limited instruction, against an experienced opponent, and allow the beating to play out. After a few nights of such a systematic thumping, if the hopeful kept showing up then their desire to fight was no longer in doubt and the coach would honour them with some advice and guidance…everybody’s happy.

These days boxing coaches have to be a little more considerate when showing prospective fighters how to box. The most efficient (and least blood-thirsty) way to measure the commitment of an individual in the boxing gym is to ignore the guy. In fact, many coaches appear to go out of their way to totally blank new boxers. If the hopeful just keeps on turning up with their kit bag over their shoulder, then they have proven themselves worthy of the attention of the coach and their journey to boxing greatness begins.

Rule 3:

Watch and Listen. This might seem like obvious advice, but it is very important. It goes without saying that you must listen to and follow the instructions of your coach. It is also worth considering that in some cases challenging what the coach says often brings benefits as it demonstrates an inquisitive mind. Be careful how you approach this though as depending upon the coaching style of your coach he or she might well appreciate the debate unless of course they use a more authoritarian approach, in which case you could well find yourself in the midst of a storm of press-ups.

As importantly though, watch the other boxers in the gym. Boxing gyms have a varied mix of skill and experience levels among the fighters. As a novice, watching the more experienced and skilled boxers when they shadow box, spar, work the heavy bag, or anything else for that matter, will help you learn how to box more quickly. Success breeds success. Be warned though, don’t make it too obvious otherwise you might give the wrong impression, if you know what I mean. Ask for advice from the boxers themselves. Boxing gyms are a melting pot of learning and generally all are considered equal. In my experience boxers tend to be very giving in their guidance to less experienced gym buddies, so make the most of this and soak it up like a sponge.

So there it is, 3 simple rules that will help you to flourish in any boxing gyms that you venture into. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll not only survive, you’ll truly thrive.

Mustapha (Mustafa) Wasajja (Wassaja / Wassajja / Wasaja) was born on July 16, 1953 in Kampala, Uganda). As an amateur, Wasajja fought at welter-, light-middle-, and middle-weight. Wasajja, debilitated by weakness and shakiness for years, eventually succumbed to Parkinsonism on April 26 2009, near Kampala in Uganda

In the early 1970’s, Wasajja was under the tutelage of Uganda’s legendary and most famous coach Peter Grace Sseruwagi (Seruwagi) and national trainer Kesi Odongo (who at the 1962 Commonwealth Games held in Perth in Australia, won a a silver medal in the lightweight division). As a light-welterweight, Sseruwagi represented Uganda at the 1960 Olympic Games held in Rome but was eliminated outside medal contention. Long-time Uganda sports official and ex-Uganda army commander Francis (Frank) Nyangweso, a light-middleweight contender at that time, was also eliminated in the earlier bouts at the same Games.

Wasajja’s first distinguished international accomplishment came in the African Amateur Championships held in his native Uganda, in Kampala in November 1974. Wasajja won gold in the middleweight division. Gold medal wins by fellow countrymen James Odwori (Oduori), Ayub Kalule, Vitalis Bbege, Mohamed Muruli; together with silver medal wins by Ali Rojo and Jacob Odongo, further established two-time (1970 and 1974) Commonwealth boxing overall champion Uganda as international ring master. Earlier on in January 1974 at the Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand, Wasajja, as Uganda’s middleweight, was in the quarter finals knocked out in the first round by Les Rackley of New Zealand.

And at the World Boxing Championships held in August 1974, Wasajja was outpointed in the quarter-finals by Dragomir Vujkovic of Yugoslavia. An upcoming major outing for the glorious Ugandans would have been at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal in Canada. Many African countries, including Uganda, boycotted these Games. Notable Ugandan boxers such as Wasajja, Ayub Kalule, and Cornelius Bbosa (Boza-Edwards), would henceforth move into the growing field of professional boxing. These were the seeds of the 1980’s golden era of Uganda boxing during which Ugandans, notably Ayub Kalule, Cornelius Boza-Edwards, and John “the Beast” Mugabi became professional world champions.

Of note is that a tune up for the 1976 Olympic Games included the international Pre-Olympic Boxing Tournament held in Montreal from November 27 to December 1, 1975. Uganda was represented by Wasajja (middleweight), hard punching and dreaded knockout specialist and Africa Champion Vitalis Bbege (welterweight), and Jacob Odonga (light-heavyweight). Only Wasajja emerged winner, while his counterparts were defeated in their finals. In the quarter-finals, Wasajja thoroughly outpointed Pietro Contarini of Canada. This was followed by Wasajja beating Jacobus Schmidt of Holland on points. The finals involved Wasajja beating Bryan Gibson of Canada by 4:1. Vitalis (Vitalish) Bbege was also scheduled to fight for Uganda at the upcoming but aborted Olympics. Bbege soon moved to West Germany (FDR) where he boxed as a club amateur and even represented Germany at a dual friendly with the United States. He is well settled in Germany with family and he is a fitness and boxing trainer in Flensburg.

Wasajja fought in 28 official fights as a professional boxer. These fights of Wasajja took place from March 1977 to March 1983, and Wasajja became a top-ten world contender as a light-heavyweight and cruiserweight from the late 1970’s to the mid-1980’s. Aside from his last three fights, his bouts essentially took place in Denmark and Norway. Of his only professional wins and one draw (25 bouts), 76% of them went the distance, Wasajja registering 24% as knocks-outs of his opponents. Wasajja stood out as a southpaw, a mostly agile, fast, and stamina endowed puncher who would endure all the rounds other than deliver as a power knockout pugilist.

On September 9, 1978 in Copenhagen, Wasajja technically knocked out legendary former world light-heavyweight Bob (Robert Lloyd) Foster with a retirement in the 5th round. The lanky 6’3″ tall Foster, considered one of the world’s all-time (light-heavyweights) greats had over the years been in many vicious battles with notable fighters, including epic heavyweights like Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, and Ernie Terrel. He is regarded as the best boxer to have hailed from the USA state of New Mexico. Foster achieved mixed results when fighting the heavyweight boxers. Foster had also retired several times and made comebacks. When Foster battled Wasajja, he was aged 40 and undoubtedly way past his prime. After one more fight thereafter (a rematch with Bob Hazelton in which Foster was knocked), Foster would retire for the last time. Wasajja was only 25 at that time. Foster lay his gloves down, ending with a marvelous 56 wins (46 by knockout) and 8 losses.

From his professional debut in March 1977 until February 13, 1982, Wasajja achieved a 100% winning streak. It was then that he battled legendary Michael Spinks (later to become World Heavyweight Champion) for the light-heavyweight crown, in the New Jersey Atlantic City in the USA. Wasajja’s crossing the Atlantic for a chance at the belt, spelled his demise. Prior to the fight with Spinks, Wasajja, regarded as a mystery man (whose names were difficult to spell) by the American fans and writers became the number one ranked contender for the WBA light-heavyweight crown. Previously, in 1980, Wasajja had become the 3rd-ranked WBA contender.

Subsequently, Wasajja was knocked out by Spinks in the sixth round, and therefore failed to capture the World Boxing Association (WBA) title. In July of the same year, Wasajja lost his next bout (which went the distance) to Tony Mundine in France, and thereafter in Lusaka (Zambia), Wasajja was knocked out by Zambian Lottie Mwale in only three rounds, and thus failing to capture the British Commonwealth Light-heavyweight title. At age 29 Wasajja had fought his last professional fight. Undoubtedly, the last three were bouts were Wasajja’s toughest and most significant; they were against game opponents. Sadly, it was in the three that Wasajja succumbed. These three significantly injured and exposed Wasajja’s weaknesses. Nevertheless, Wasajja established himself as one of the greatest Uganda boxers, and significantly as one of the greatest among the pioneering Uganda professional boxers.

Of note, Lottie Mwale, who was the same age as Wasajja, boxed professionally until 1994; he stands out as one of the greatest of African boxers. He participated in 53 professional bouts won most of them by knockout and was also an African Boxing Union (ABU) champion. The greatest Zambian boxer succumbed in 2005, at age 53, to Parkinsonism which is the same affliction that legendary Muhammad Ali endures. Zambians, with their love for boxing, apparently harbor an appreciably enduring memory of Mustapha Wasajja. And Zambians, have for decades been traditional boxing rivals of Ugandans. Charles Chisamba, the Zambian light-heavyweight champion, carries the nickname, “Wasajja” (“Wasaja”). On January 24, 2009 in Lusaka, Chisamba outpointed Tanzania’s Mbaruku Kheri in an African Boxing Union (ABU) light-heavyweight vacant title and thus became Africa champion. Wasajja has guided young and promising boxers at Mulago Yellow Boxing Club, some of whom have starred as professionals abroad…mainly in Europe, notably in the Scandinavian countries.

In an October 8 2005 article by Moses Mugalu in the Uganda newspaper “Daily Monitor,” Wasajja is said to talk about having invested in Kenya businesses (together with long-time boxing counterpart Ayub Kalule) after retirement from boxing, on until 1990. But Wasajja claimed to have eventually been duped by Kenyan business counterparts; a consequence of which he became a poverty-stricken slum dweller in Mulago in Kampala. His five children were similarly struggling, some young and not enrolled in school. Wasajja recounted his memorable amateur exhibition bout with his executive President, Idi Amin, soon after Wasajja won the Africa Championships title in the series held in Kampala in 1975. Wasajja was obligated to lose in that puppet bout. In the “Monitor” interviews, Wasajja is described as weakly, frail, shaky, and occasionally stammering,” but that both his memory and speech are quite focused and clear; and he maintains his pride and humor.

In the Uganda newspaper, “Bukedde,” dated July 28 2008, an ailing bedridden Wasajja mentions to Ibrahim Katongole that it is his children Rehemah Namuddu, Nakayiwa and Salif Abdul who tend to him. According to a former national boxer, Charles Lubulwa, some of Wasajja’s sufferings stemmed from disconnecting himself from the boxing bodies and persons that had employed him and supported him during his boxing career abroad. They had, largely, lost contact with him.

As regards the memorable fight with Michael Spinks in which he lost in 1982, Wasajja strongly suspects that food given to him prior to the fight (in Atlantic City, New Jersey) was tainted and consequently weakened and disabled him: he claimed that foul play was involved in his losing the fight. This was Wasajja’s most memorable and most prestigious fight. And who knew? Wasajja fought with the two Spinks brothers who became world heavyweight champions! One of the brothers beat Muhammad Ali, and the other was beaten by Mike Tyson, among other things! Also, notably, Wasajja fought during an era regarded as a golden one for light-heavyweights. These included Michael Spinks, Dwight Mohammed Qawi (formerly Dwight Braxton), Eddie Mustafa Muhammad (formerly Eddie Gregory), Marvin Johnson, and Mathew Saad Muhammad (formerly Mathew Franklin, and born Maxwell Antonio Loach).

Wasajja was a notable amateur Uganda boxing champion and an Africa amateur boxing champion, but his wins were not as many or as striking as those of his counterparts such as Ayub Kalule and James Odwori. In the professional ranks he rose to prominent heights, but he did not win that coveted world title. Wasajja’s fame is intertwined with his being a mysterious Ugandan champion, one who had shots at both world title and the Africa professional title but came short of winning. Wasajja, Uganda’s mysterious champion became outstanding as one of Uganda’s pioneering professional boxers, one of those who had the audacity to challenge some of the best boxers on the globe.

Anyone with even a nodding familiarity with boxing can probably name the basic punches. Before you move onto combination punches and other advanced tactics, you should be sure you are getting the most out of the fundamental blows.

Essentially there are only six punches – jab, cross, lead hook, rear hook, lead uppercut and rear uppercut. But you can subdivide these punches according to target level and thus double the number to twelve – and even add a few variations to raise the number even higher.

There are however a few broad considerations that apply to all punches:

– Always observe the hinge principle when using any technique – this is basically to whip and snap every punch thus increasing range speed and power. With every punch you imagine that you are slamming a door while pivoting on the hinge (the ball of your lead foot).

– Make the negative portion of your punch just as crisp as your positive motion as lazy returns create a field day for counterpunchers

– Maximise you stopping force by utilizing the physics of power with every punch

– Return immediately to your guard position, identifying the arc, plane or path that each punch is to travel and endeavor to retreat along that same path.

– Exhale with every punch – ideally from the nose (so your mouth is kept shut against your mouthpiece to prevent a broken jaw). This allows greater muscle in the punch, just like a power lifter moving a bar. Also by exhaling you release body tension allowing you to be stronger and more relaxed as well as making the receipt of your opponents blow easier (when they counterpunch).

– Shadowbox often as this prepares you for missing and you will miss far more than you hit. This will teach you to return to a good guard whether you have hit or missed.

– Lastly, but most importantly – always keep your guard up while snapping those punches out!

When people join my Fitness Boxing classes, many wonder if boxing is a good leg workout. So I show them what a great leg workout boxing is – when you do it right. Here are 5 quick tips you can include during your home or gym boxing workouts to get a better leg workout. Notice these are all authentic boxing moves – not star jumps, squats or “filler.”

1 – Float like a butterfly

The great man said it, but what does it mean? For fitness boxing it means getting up on your toes and moving in and away. Here’s how. Get into your boxer’s stance, side on, guard up, left foot forward (for right handers). Then lift the heels and go in and away, in and away – on the balls of the feet. Do this between combinations, so you are always moving, or floating. This will give you a much better leg workout.

2 – Feel the ground through your feet

One of my early coaches used to tell me the power comes “from the center of the earth.” He would tell me to connect with the ground, by really feeling the ground through the balls of my feet. Too many people punch on their tippy toes – but it is that connection to the ground that is the first step to engaging your legs in every punch.

3 – Drop, then drive

Before throwing a punch bend your legs. Simply squat down a little, keeping your back straight, like you are about to pick up a box of groceries. This forces you to engage your thighs and will create a much better punch with more leg muscles involved.

4 – Put out the cigarette

This tip is not about smoking – it’s about punching with your legs. A good punch has leg drive behind it. You want to get your whole body in shape right? Then use it! Here’s how. When you throw a left jab PUSH off the ball of the back the foot. When you throw a right cross TWIST the right foot until it points at the target (punch mitt or punching bag) – like you are putting out a cigarette. For the hook, twist the ball of the foot so it points in the direction of the target. If it’s a left jab, twist your left foot to the right.

5. Try the North, South, West, East, footwork drill

This is a great warm up drill. Get into your boxers stance. Start floating like a butterfly (tip #1). Go Forward (North), Back (South), Left (West), Right (East) and repeat for one minute. This is a tricky drill to try to explain in a written article, however, I hope you get the idea. It’s just like a dance – so try it to music if it helps. Make it a double step in each direction, as though it’s a double bounce on the balls of the feet. If you’d like a demo, email me and I’ll send you a video clip.

May you get fighting fit.

Purple boxing gloves make more than just a fashion statement in the ring. Boxing is not just about the physical aspect, there is a mental part to it as well. All by themselves these types of gloves can be some what intimidating. And adding the color purple to them can help enhance the intimidation.

Purple boxing gloves can give a boxer a psychological advantage over their opponent. The color purple, as with all basic colors, has a meaning behind it that makes a declaration on its own.

The color purple is associated with royalty. It symbolizes power, nobility, and ambition. The color purple is also associated with wisdom, independence, creativity, and mystery. All of these meanings are great attributes to posses when trying to mentally outsmart your opponent.

Purple boxing gloves are made up of the same qualities of other gloves made for this sport. You can find these gloves in many different sizes ranging from 4ozs to 16ozs. It is very important to pick the right size for your hands. Wearing an incorrect size not only will feel uncomfortable, but can cause damage to your hands and wrist.

Some of these gloves are made from leather while others are made from vinyl. Leather gloves cost a little bit more but are recommended because they will last longer and provide better support. Vinyl gloves are suitable for lighter activities such as a boxing fitness classes.

Purple boxing gloves are for more than just a sense of style. The meaning behind the color purple can give a person a mental advantage while training or in the ring.