Coach Kenny Weldon has been teaching amateur boxing for around 40 years. And if you’re looking for boxing knowledge, you couldn’t ask for a better teacher. If there’s something Kenny Weldon doesn’t know about the fight game, you don’t need to know it either.

This is my review of Kenny Weldon’s three-volume series of boxing instructional DVDs called Becoming a Better Boxer. I found tons of great ideas in these videos and if you’re in the market to learn boxing from the ground up, this is the place to start.

Whether you’re a novice or an experienced boxing coach, here’s how Coach Weldon’s latest videos can help you.

Learn without an in-person coach

Odds are, you want to learn proper punching technique so you can defend yourself, win fights, and stay in shape.

Or maybe you’re a boxing coach and you’re looking for new ways to train your fighters so they learn proper fundamentals. Those are all good motivators.

As a student of boxing, you quickly find out there’s so much more to learning how to punch than simply whacking a heavybag and throwing punches in front of a mirror.

And without a deep knowledge of the fundamentally correct way of fighting – techniques that have been developed of the course of more than a century – you will develop bad habits that limit your ability to ever become a really good boxer.

You won’t make progress without good coaching.

Boxing — Does it take two to tango?

Lots of people will tell you can’t learn to fight from reading articles on the internet or watching instructional videos. While they’re essentially correct, they’re not telling you the whole story.

Yes, it’s true that you need to spar with a partner if you really want to be a well-rounded fighter.

Here’s why. Unless you have a sparring partner:

• You won’t learn bulletproof defense unless you have someone throwing punches at you
• You won’t learn to easily break down an opponent’s defense simply by shadow-boxing
• It is hard to learn how to fight moving backwards
• You’ll have a hard time pushing yourself past your point of exhaustion if you rely only on self-training

So, does all this mean that you should give up your dreams of being tough and in shape, simply because you’re not lucky enough to work with an experienced boxing trainer every day?

I hope you didn’t expect me to answer “yes” to that question.

The truth is, while you’ll be limited in your ability to progress past a certain point, when you get the fundamental knowledge of the “how” and the “why”, you are more than capable of self-coaching all the basic punches and punching combinations.

Plus, you’ll be able to design your own workouts, get yourself in tip-top shape, and condition your body so you’re tougher than you ever were before.

Practice versus self-coaching

There’s a huge difference between practicing by yourself and self-coaching.

Practice is going over things you already know. It’s repetition designed to develop ‘muscle memory‘. And the problem is: if you learn wrong, practice only reinforces your mistakes. Practicing incorrect technique creates more problems than it solves.

But self-coaching is another thing altogether.

With self-coaching:

• You’ll have the knowledge you need to step outside your body and, in essence, view yourself from afar
• You’ll fix problems before they become habits
• Your progress will keep coming until you’re as good in reality as in your mind’s eye.

Boxing knowledge on video

Some boxing trainers are good, and some are lucky. But lots of them simply repeat what they learned long ago when they were young.

Good trainers need a ton of boxing knowledge, and they have to get it somewhere. It’s not enough to just watch boxing on TV, or hang around a boxing gym. There are plenty of tricks, tips, and techniques that some boxing trainers never learn, simply because they’ve never been exposed to a wide variety of styles and training methods.

Kenny Weldon’s Becoming a Better Boxer DVDs are more than just another ‘intro to boxing’ video. They’re the collected wisdom of a man who has trained many thousands of amateur boxers (and some notable professionals too).

In these videos, Coach Weldon doesn’t just teach you the moves. He teaches you the reasons behind the fundamentals. He has a deep understanding of why some styles work better than others, and unlike many boxing trainers, he’s articulate enough to pass this knowledge on to anyone who wants to learn what he calls ‘fundamental boxing correctness’.

Kenny Weldon’s system works

Coach Weldon isn’t just some guy who got lucky and ended up riding the coattails of a world-class athlete. Some boxing coaches are one hit wonders, but not Kenny Weldon. Here are his bona fides:

• Trainer of 26 national amateur boxing champions (14 from scratch)
• Technique coach for Evander Holyfield
• Part of Mike McCallum’s training team under head trainer Lou Duva
• Coached Vinny Pazienza along with Lou Duva
• Coached Sergei Liacholvich
• Trained 3 USA Olympians
• Coaches committee chairman for USA boxing
• Has given numerous sold-out ‘coach’s clinics’ in the US, Canada, and Central America
• Along with his staff, has provided free or low-cost boxing instruction for many thousands of kids in and around Houston, TX.

So if you have a bit of boxing knowledge under your belt, but you really want to dig deeper and learn all about the sweet science, click here to go to Amazon and buy Kenny Weldon’s ‘Becoming a Better Boxer’.

What’s the first thing that happens when you start to win a fistfight? The other guy tries to rush you and grab hold. That’s why, no matter how good a striker you are, it’s important to be able to throw him when he tries to muscle you around.

Why take a risk that your clinch-fighting abilites are better than his, especially if he’s bigger and stronger? Clinch-fighting is OK for sport, but during real self-defense, it’s a gamble. Your best bet it to get him off of you as soon as possible.

When you know how to maneuver and throw your opponent, you’ll be a well-rounded fighter with no reason to fear anyone. But without these techniques, you’re just hoping for a quick KO before things get really ugly.

For self-defense, not sport

Effortless combat throws by Tim Cartmell

You’ll find techniques here that don’t rely on your opponent wearing a gi. This no-gi combat training is perfect for self-defense. Many traditional judo and aikido moves depend on the gi, making them worse than useless on the street.

A must-have book

This book has been around; it’s a classic. Most martial-arts and self-defense experts have a dog-eared copy lying around someplace. Chances are, if you go into a martial arts school and ask to be taught throws, unless your instructor is a judo expert, he’ll simply show you the things he learned by reading this textbook.

Author Tim Cartmell earned his reputation by translating martial-arts books from Chinese into English. But it is this textbook that sets him squarely among the best contemporary fighting instructors. The book makes a lasting impression on most who read it. Here are some things that people are saying about Effortless Combat Throws:

[A] view-changing book — Joseph M. Burtner of Kennesaw, Georgia

Cartmell is extremely thourough (sic) in his description of each stage of the technique, describing every little facet of motion, how to balance, how to turn, what you will feel and what is happening to your partner. Each technique offers an analysis of entry, analysis of the technique, of body use, of practical application, of counters and combat use, and variations on the throw. — C.J. Hardman of San Diego, California

The BEST book on throws. As both a martial artist (student & instructor)and a person who loves to read and collect books, I own and read a tremendous amount of material on different subjects. Tim Cartmell’s depth of knowledge on this subject shines through page after page, matched only by his ability to explain the details of motion in such a way that the reader can easily envision and perhaps ‘feel’ what he’s talking about. — J.D. Haag of Wichita, Kansas

In “Effortless Combat Throws” Tim Cartmell masterfully unravels the core principles of internal martial arts devoid of “chi” oriented mumbo jumbo. Tim clearly explains how to generate natural, effortless power starting from posture and alignment. This book is extremely well written and organized in a “tell, show, do” format that takes the reader step by step through the application of effortless power in the form of arc, circle, spiral and sacrifice throws. This is a gem of a book and a MUST read for aspiring, novice or highly experienced martial arts. I have practiced martial arts for 21 years and this book changed the entire direction of my training and my understanding of the essence of martial arts. — Chris G. of Los Angeles

Want to know more?

For more information, additional reader reviews, and pricing, click through to Principles, Analysis, and Application of Effortless Combat Throws
at Amazon.com.

This DVD isn’t for absolute beginners to the game of boxing. It’s for serious fighters who already have the fundamentals down pat. In it, famous trainer Freddie Roach gives us his thoughts about how champion fighters modify basic technique to build on their strengths and minimize their inherent weaknesses.

Along with his own personal brand of boxing philosophy, Freddie demonstrates a few advanced moves and shows how he works with his fighters when he’s trying to teach them a new and unfamiliar skill. This is a great insight into a process that’s usually kept secret and hidden.

What makes these techniques advanced?

All the “signature” moves that famous fighters made famous in the past didn’t just spring into existence fully-formed. They were developed in the gym during many hours of interaction between trainer and boxer.

While Freddie doesn’t minimize the value of talent, he shows how a thoughtful trainer can take raw talent and mold it something spectacular. This sort of glimpse into the mind of a hall of fame trainer is something that most of us would never have had if it wasn’t for this video.

After watching this DVD, you’ll have an insight into how and why boxers and their trainers develop a certain style. Beginners should all learn the same things, but after a time, it’s important to play to your own strengths. Copying what champions do isn’t the sort of strategy that works in the long run; individuality is the key to success.

Click this link to buy the DVD: TITLE DVD – Freddie Roach’s Advanced Punching Techniques

If you’re into boxing or MMA, hall-of-fame trainer Freddie Roach needs no introduction.

But did you know that he does more than just train such boxing greats as Manny Pacquiao, Amir Khan, James Toney, and many other big-name champions? That’s right, he makes instructional videos for Title Boxing too.

In this DVD — Freddie Roach’s Punching Bag Training — he covers all the basic ways to use the three punching bags.

The heavybag

Along with former heavyweight contender Justin Fortune, Coach Roach shows how he uses the heavy bag to help a fighter develop power. While cautioning us that technique should be learned “on the mitts”, he thoroughly describes the dos and don’ts of heavybag training.

The speedbag

Again, Freddie shows us how he uses the speedbag to get his fighters’ arms and shoulders in shape. He even “shows off on the bag” for a minute; he can still work the speedbag as well as any pro fighter (which he was when he was younger).

But the speedbag isn’t just for conditioning. He uses it to dial in his left hook too. He talks for a few minutes about how this bag is better than the heavy bag for practicing and perfecting a short, compact left hook.

The double-end bag

This is the most frustrating and least-appreciated of the three main types of punching bag. Freddie and Justine Fortune explain how to incorporate it into your training routine, and how it can help you develop not only a good offense, but a good defense too.

Video quality

As with all Title boxing videos, the quality is good. There are at least two cameras, with good, unobtrusive editing that focuses in on the important details when necessary. The sound quality is good too.

Buy your copy today. Click here to get it: TITLE DVD – Freddie Roach’s Punching Bag Training

Boxing lessons from A to Z — The best boxing training DVD series

In his 8-DVD set of boxing lessons, Coach Christopher Getz starts with the basics, then builds up to full-scale boxing drills that require a partner.  Later, he covers sparring, boxing strategy, fitness routines appropriate for boxing, and ways to use boxing skills in self-defense situations.

Coach Getz’s teaching style is characterized by attention to detail.  There is nothing flashy or self-serving about his presentation.  Instead, his lectures are chock-full of information and devoid of surperfluous fluff.  It’s obvious that he spent a great deal of time thinking about how to introduce each concept so it builds upon and reinforces what comes before.

Chris Getz gives away the farm in this boxing training DVD series.  The wealth of information packed into these  DVDs could have been broken up and made into more than 8 videos.  I get the impression that this was a labor of love rather than a cynical money-making scheme.

The 8 DVDs included in the full set cover these topics:

1. Fundamentals
2. Combinations
3. Defense
4. Counter Punching
5. Focus Mitt Training
6. Sparring and Ring Strategy
7. Workout Routines
8. Self-Defense

In the following sections, I’ll briefly describe the contents of each DVD.

Fundamentals

You’ll learn all the basics. Chris Getz and his assistant teach every aspect of footwork and all the punches.

This DVD is an especially good overview of basic punching technique.  Every movement is defined down to the smallest detail.  You’ll gain an understanding of, and appreciation for, flawless technique.

Coach Getz first demonstrates each punch slowly and from at least two angles while mentioning the important points to keep in mind when you practice.  Often, he’ll use his assistant to show how to deal with an opponent’s defense while you throw a punch.  Then, he shows the punch at full speed on the punch mitts from many different angles, giving you a chance to see how the upper body works in concert with the footwork to generate power and speed.  Finally, he moves to the heavy bag and shows how to train your punching power.

After you watch this DVD, you will know how to throw each punch in a fundamentally sound manner, and how to move around the ring.

Combinations

As you can imagine, there is more to boxing than just throwing isolated punches.  Throwing effective combinations isn’t easy.  You need to understand how and when to step and shift your weight.  And there are very good reasons why some combinations are better than others.

Coach Getz starts out with some basic two-punch combinations.  He goes into exhaustive detail about how to throw the combos effectively, how to incorporate defense into your offense, and when it is appropriate to use each combo.

Later, he demonstrates the standard three-punch boxing combinations.  By this point, viewers will begin to understand that punching combinations are not just random collections of punches, but meticulously-practiced strategic moves designed to penetrate and break down the opponent’s defense.

Finally, he shows some multi-punch combinations that, for various reasons, have become favorites of boxers the world over.

After watching this DVD, you’ll be an effective offensive fighter, with the knowledge to get into range, hit an opponent with a scoring blow, then retreat back into your boxing stance, all the while exposing as little of yourself as possible to your opponent.

Defense

You’ve heard it said many times: “the best defense is a good offense“.

Coach Getz explains that every offensive move — punches, footwork, body shifting, etc. — incorporates a solid defense within itself.  If an offensive move leaves you open to attack, it is worthless.

Later, he shows the standard defensive techniques:

• Crouching or ducking
• Catching and blocking
• Slipping punches
• Rolling with punches

Finally, he gets into some unconventional moves like the cross-arm position (Philly shell) made famous in modern times by James Toney and Floyd Mayweather.

After you watch this lesson, you’ll know how to give yourself a chance to avoid getting hit while remaining ready to counter attack as effectively as possible.

Counter Punching

Potent counterpunchers are exciting and dangerous.  But do these lightning-fast fighters have reflexes better than everyone else?  The answer is: no.  You can learn to be a competent counterpuncher if you study it in detail.

Counterpunching: Make him miss & make him pay

In the previous DVD, Chris Getz showed how to make opponents miss.  In this one, he shows how to make him pay.  Counterpunching is the art of extracting an advantage out of the opponent’s missteps.

The easiest counter punching techniques are those directed against your opponent’s jab.  Coach Getz starts off with these simple but effective variations.  Then, he moves on to various counterpunching strategies used to neutralize the rest of your opponent’s arsenal of punches.

After watching this installment (and the previous ones), there will be no major holes in your understanding of boxing technique and strategy.

Focus Mitt Training

Coach Getz says that focus mitt training is the most important type of boxing training.  It’s where you learn combinations, accuracy, and distancing.  This is the video where everything learned in the previous DVDs coalesces into a unified whole.

From the point of view of a trainer, he shows how to hold the mitts in conjunction with a belly pad, so your fighter can work both the head and the body.

Partner training on the mitts is what elevates gym-trained fighters far above the self-taught.  It turns one-punch wonders into combination machines.  If there’s a combination that you can’t find in this video, that so-called combination is probably useless.

Sparring and Ring Strategy

Finally, when you’re ready to face an opponent, this is the video that will prepare you for the unpredictable nature of actual sparring and fighting.

Instead of stepping into the ring with no clue how to operate, you’ll know how to plan out your moves in a sensible way, and how to react to your opponent’s moves.

Some of the many topics covered in this DVD include:

• Basic equipment used, and standard protocol during sparring sessions
• How fundamentals are applied against a resisting opponent
• Strategies to use at the beginning of a match
• How to alter your game when fatigue begins to appear
• Dealing with being against the ropes or in the corners
• Hand wrap techniques for training, sparring, and fighting
• Mental aspects of training and/or coaching
• A guest lecture by pro boxing referee Tony Crebs

Workout Routines

If you’ve never spent 2 or 3 minutes sparring, you have no idea how exhausting it can be.  Likewise, if you’ve never been hit by a solid shot, you have no idea how the best laid plans can fall to pieces the second you get drilled.

You may think you’re in good shape, you may even think you’re fighting fit, but unless you train for fitness like a boxer, chances are you’ll fall apart in the ring.

While there’s nothing revolutionary in this video, it does give you a realistic view into what it takes to get in fighting shape.  If you’re not doing the things you see on this DVD, you’re probably not going to be able to train as hard — and fight as well — as you should be able to.

Some topics include:

• Shadowboxing
• Stretching
• Calisthenics and strengthening exercises
• Abdominal training
• Basic boxing gym workout routines
• Different types of bagwork
• Rope skipping and plyometrics
• Medicine ball work

Self Defense

This video stands on its own; it doesn’t refer overmuch to the previous videos in the series.

Basically, Coach Getz shows how boxing can be modified and used during a self-defense situation.  Obviously, without gloves and handwraps, allowances have to be made.

Video production quality

The series was filmed in Coach Getz’s boxing and muay thai gym.  Some segments take place in the ring, and others by the punching bags or in the workout area.  Although it’s not filmed on a soundstage with perfectly controllable conditions, the gym is closed, quiet, and well-lit.

They used a single camera, but you get a good overview of the action and a closeup view of the important details.  The cameramen are obviously pros: panning and zooms are smooth and unintrusive.  The light and sound are adequate; there is never a problem understanding speech  or seeing what’s going on.  Background noise is kept to a minimum.

I read one review that said the production quality was “low”.  I don’t think this is a fair assesment of the quality of this video.

It is an analog video recording (not a digital video), and it’s not HD, but it is definitely a professional production that serves its purpose very well.

If you insist on flashy graphics, snappy music, and artistic video editing, this is not the instructional for you.  But if you want clearly-presented information, you’ll be very happy with this video.

Link to Chris Getz’s Ultimate Boxing Lessons on Amazon