It's one of the most fulfilling and interesting things I've ever done. Stepping into a fight for the first time is still one of my proudest moments in life. The benefits are incalculable. But yeah, it's rough on you. Very rough if you take things seriously and do more than just train (which there is nothing wrong with, but there is a difference). Ive had surgery thrice - and another I'm not going to go through with scheduled for later this month - on my hands and I still deal with daily/nightly pain and problems. I have aches and pains my whole body over and will until the day I die.. but I wouldn't to trade a day of it. I've fought, both won and lost, in front of thousands of people and that's a feeling that's absolutely worth everything else.
My advice though, is take care of yourself better than I did. Fighting, actual fighting, is a grind and if you bitch out and scream DOCTOR after every twinge you won't go far, but too many of is just grit our teeth through real problems that become chronic, life-long issues because we didn't get help when we should have... And I got out long before the real problems start, the mental stuff. There's a reason you don't see many retired, career boxers. They gave their lives for the sport and the fans and ring.. and so many die, utterly destitute and alone, scared, weak and crazy. Sorry to rant here, but so many people don't know that stuff, and they watch boxing or mma and don't realize what those guys are giving. Pieces of you, years of your life, stay in the ring. They are cast out with the sweat and blood and carried off on the roars and screams.of the audience. Consumed in the onslaught of hormones and excitement and adrenaline and entertainment.. and so few fans or people watching realize that.
Ok , that's deep enough. Lol. I'ma go eat Buffalo Wild Wings.
