What would you say to parents worried about their children starting boxing?
I don’t think I’d want my children to do contact boxing under the age of 16 as I'd have concerns over their mental development. The skull is not fully formed, the neck and shoulder muscles are not developed sufficiently. They would not have developed sufficient technique, for defence. However, in France, no force is allowed in the punches until 16. If you'd like to get involved, ask around, find out about the club and the coach. Boxing is a sport and the best boxers are the best sportsmen. Choose a coach that focuses on technique. This question makes me think of a time we drove three hours for a fight on a Friday night. We arrived and, as usual, at weigh in, my coach looked at the opponent’s boxing card. He turned to their coach and said: “I told you not to take the ****. We’re going home”. At that stage I’d had only seven fights and the opponent was two times national semi-finalist. I was really pleased to be with someone of that quality as I figured I’d learn a lot. “Learn what? What it’s like to be a punch bag?” You want a coach who looks after his boxers. There's a health advantage too: boxers don’t drink or smoke and have to eat sensibly.
What injuries have you sustained in the ring?
Three broken noses, two cracked ribs, two cut eyes, two concussions, three “chamber maids finger”, long term tendonitis in left elbow - if you throw a jab and forget to turn your shoulder into it, your tendon takes the force of the blow if you miss, hence the importance of technique. If you do any sport for 9 or 10 years you’ll have a similar and perhaps even greater list of injuries.
Have you ever won/lost by KO? (Knock Out)
I’ve lost twice by KO, in the national semi-final to the eventual champion, and to Danny McIntosh who later became European professional light heavyweight. I’ve won three times by technical KO, never by KO (coach throws in the towel or boxer doesn’t come out for next round).
Prentice Everett
17