Is boxing a sport for children?

By: Psychologist Diana Sosa, member of the World Boxing Council Medical Committee.

Sport  is essential in a child’s life, because in addition to giving health and forming  healthy habits for a lifetime, it helps with various motor functions and socializing.

It is essential that children and adolescents practice sports and do physical activity, in a world where inactivity and sedentary lifestyle prevail and this results in many chronic conditions such as obesity, which seriously damages the life of an infant. 

Boxing is classified as a combat sport and therefore carries  risks. However, many children do  it for the multiple benefits it has for health and select  it as their sport of choice.

We interviewed one of the most recognized boxing trainers in Mexico to give us his opinion regarding boxing in children. His name is Pepe Morales and he has spent a lifetime dedicated to boxing training. He is the son of the renowned and also coach Pepe Morales Sr. (RIP). Both are renowned and synonymous with quality in the boxing world, having trained and forged many Mexican national and world champions.

Pepe explained to us why boxing is a good sport for children and how children should be introduced to the sport of gloves, always putting the care and integrity of the child first. He stated that training for children is not the same as that for an adult:

“Boxing is a hard sport that demands a lot. However,  for children,  a different type of recreational training should be offered, as there are various activities and games that can be used. This is intended to get children interested in the activity and not make it rough or boring.”

 He also assured that boxing brings psychological benefits: “Motor skills are something that develop throughout childhood and boxing helps this part a lot, as well as coordination.

“Throughout my career as a trainer, many fathers have brought their children to me to train them, since they are hyperactive, sometimes they are referred by teachers as “aggressive” and it is very common for them to come to the gym to do an activity that helps them release all their pent up energy.

“Boxing helps them to be responsible and something very important: to respect. It is a sport that demands respect for the rival and here they learn it every day”.

Pepe suggests that parents DO NOT force children to train boxing, in addition to the fact that he likewise recommends as a trainer that they not start boxing or sparring with such young children.

He asserts that boxing should be a choice and not something imposed and that usually this decision corresponds to an individual when he is already entering adolescence, a stage where the taste for boxing can be more defined.

He concluded  the interview by saying that whenever he trains children and teenagers, he transmits the value of studying to them, urging them that it is possible to combine boxing practice without leaving school aside, since by doing so they will be more complete athletes, young people more prepared for life and that both activities are beneficial for their development.