Boxing, like basketball, baseball and soccer, has developed a significant, almost mythical place in the public imagination in many countries. People like Muhammad Ali have developed folk-hero status in some communities. Raging Bull is considered a modern classic among movies. The Thai film Beautiful Boxer has changed a large number of viewers' perceptions about masculinity and femininity. Though not everybody can become a Sugar Ray Robinson, boxing schools of different styles can be found all over the world. Still, no matter what style of boxing you practice, or whether you are an amateur or professional, you will be able to fight better and longer if you practice appropriate breathing techniques.You should improve breathing to increase endurance. Some boxing matches can be over in a few minutes. Witness the match between Manny Pacquiao and Mike Hatton. At least one television viewer went to the bathroom at the beginning of that match and returned to find that it was over. Usually, however, a fight goes on for much longer, especially if the opponents are evenly matched. Endurance definitely becomes an important factor in these matches. Fighters have to be able to keep going despite being tired, and having taken many hits. (Not too many, hopefully. We don't want a Million Dollar Baby bedridden-boxer situation on our hands.)
Though there are some fundamental similarities between the respiration needs of all people, every person breathes in his or her own way. You should select a pace, pattern and rhythm of breathing that are compatible with your body and your boxing style. However, be careful that you are not employing hyperventilation tactics too often. Even if you think your body can handle it, you can do yourself serious long-term damage this way, which you will pay for in the later years of your life. Certain boxers, and, indeed, athletes in other sports, are willing to use unusual, unhealthy tactics in order to win the next game, even if they will damage their well-being in the long term. You must ask yourself carefully what your real priorities are.
Yet another important consideration is the point at which you happen to be at a particular moment in a fight. Are you gaining momentum over your opponent, or is it still too soon to tell? Is it time for you to go on the defensive, or should you go for an all-out rapid-fire attack? Talk to your trainer about breathing strategies for "special cases" within a fight. There might be times when you have to change your breathing pattern drastically in order to gain or maintain an edge.
Finally, proper breathing can be a great boon at the end of the fight, particularly if you have had many hard blows to the head. Concussions are a frequent problem for boxers. Certain types of breathing exercises can help you to stay conscious, and can minimize brain damage after a tough match. You can even do these exercises in between rounds, because getting a second concussion while your body is still trying to recuperate from the first one is very dangerous.
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