Over the years I’ve worked with all kinds of age groups and skill levels, but for me, the teenage years are the most important. That’s the stage where you really see who’s serious about boxing and who’s not.
I’ve seen so many talented teenagers fall off—not because they weren’t good enough, but because they couldn’t stick to the discipline and consistency needed to compete at amateur level. It’s not easy, and talent alone won’t carry you through.
The ones who do stay, who keep showing up and putting in the work, are the ones who give themselves a real chance to go far in the sport—some even all the way to the professional level.
And it’s not just about what happens in the gym. Being a good boxer at that age is also about how you carry yourself outside of it. School matters. Behaviour matters. As a coach, I’m big on making sure my fighters aim for high grades and stay on the right path.
Because in the end, it’s those habits—discipline, consistency, and respect—that help them succeed not just in boxing, but in life as well.