Competing

Ask any boxer and he or she will tell you there is nothing as memorable as stepping into the ring for the first time.

Once you have been training at your club for a while you may decide you want to compete. Your coach will help you decide when you are ready for this. You can train up to this point from a young age, but you must be aged 11 or over to spar or compete.

All boxers need to get ‘carded’, which involves a doctor filling in a medical form to say that you are fit to box. Your coach may be able to arrange for a doctor to visit the club, or you can ask your family doctor. Your club will provide you with this form.

Once you have your medical card (ME3) you can train towards your first competition. Training to compete includes sparring with other members of your club to develop your skills. When you are ready to compete, your club coach will 'match' you (based on your age, weight and experience) for a club show or a skills bout.

On the day of your bout you will need to attend a weigh-in with the Official in Charge, before going to see the doctor for a medical to ensure that you are fit and well enough to compete. Both of these processes are in place to ensure the safety of the boxer and that the bout is fair.

You can compete in amateur boxing until the age of 34, but you can continue to train after this. The maximum age of 34 has been put in place by the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) to protect boxers.

If you show particular talent you may eventually find yourself competing in one of the ABAE's championships or at international level. The age categories for competing internationally are defined as:

Elite boxers, aged between 17 and 34.

Youth boxers, aged between 17 and 18.

Junior boxers, aged between 15 and 16.