In this episode of Sportchefstroom, host Drikus sits down with Sean from Sean's Boxing Fitness Club to dive deep into the world of boxing, fitness, mental toughness, and the harsh reality of life as a boxer.Sean, a former professional boxer, shared raw and unfiltered insights into what it takes to survive in the boxing world, how he trains fighters today, and why boxing is not just a sport—it’s a mental and physical battle.

🥊 Boxing is Not for Everyone

Sean is straightforward about it—boxing is brutal. "If you want to start boxing, you have to be a bit unadjusted—maybe even a little crazy."

Boxing is not like rugby or cricket. It is one of the toughest sports both physically and mentally. He compares the way a boxer is treated to a racehorse—it doesn’t matter how the horse feels, as long as it performs and makes money for others."In boxing, no one cares if you're happy or not—you are there to make money for someone else."

The hardest part? You are alone in the ring. "In rugby, you can pass the ball if you're in trouble. In boxing, there’s no passing—you are in that ring alone, and if you mess up, it’s all on you."

🏋️ The Role of a Mentor in Boxing

Sean is tough but fair when he trains fighters. His goal is not just to teach technique, but also to be a mentor and guide—something he never had growing up. "I never had a coach or mentor. I trained myself. Looking back, I don’t know how I did it. It was crazy hard."

Sean emphasizes that you don’t need to be tough to learn boxing. "Every man should know how to defend himself and his family. Boxing is one option, but there are others like MMA or kickboxing."

However, he describes boxing as pure aggression and problem-solving.

🔄 Boxing vs. Kickboxing vs. MMA

Sean explains the key differences between these combat sports:

✔️ Kickboxing – Fighters stay out of reach to avoid kicks.

✔️ MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) – Fighters stay in close range to grapple and take the opponent down.

✔️ Boxing – Fighters stand right in front of each other at all times.

"In boxing, you are always in the 'phone booth'. You’re so close that you can touch your opponent at any moment. Every movement matters, because any mistake can lead to pain."

A quote that perfectly sums up boxing’s intensity: "In tennis, if you mess up, it’s 15-Love. In boxing, if you mess up, it’s your ass."

👊Training Women & Overcoming Fear

One of the biggest challenges in training is teaching women how to defend themselves. Many women struggle to hit their opponent hard enough because they lack aggression. But if someone attacks their child, they will fight like a tiger. That instinct is in all of us.

Sean explains that fear of getting hit in the face is common for both men and women. When beginners start boxing, they constantly turn their backs to avoid punches. But the more it happens, the more they realize they are not made of glass, and they gain confidence.

Boxing breaks mental barriers and builds confidence, helping people walk into any situation without fear. "When you walk into a bar, you subconsciously check where all the guys are and put yourself in the pecking order. Once you start boxing, you stop thinking like that."

🏃 Boxing Fitness: The Toughest Training

Boxing requires a different level of fitness compared to other sports.

✔️ Your arms need to be stronger than your legs.

✔️ You still need to run like a marathon athlete.

✔️ You have to train for 80 minutes of non-stop movement in the ring.

On top of this, weight management is crucial:

✔️ Strict diet – No alcohol, sweets, or salt to maintain weight.

✔️ Extreme training – Sean lost 7kg in one training session from running, skipping, and sweat bags.

⚠️ The Dangers of Boxing & Brain Injuries

Sean lost his boxing license due to concerns about brain damage.

After several knockouts and MRIs, doctors refused to renew his license.

Boxing is dangerous because of constant blows to the head.

✔️ The brain moves inside the skull when hit.

✔️ Repeated hits can cause internal bleeding and concussions.

✔️ Facial features change over time due to impact.

🏆 The Mental Strength of a Boxer

Many people think boxing is just about physical strength, but mental training is just as important. People want to see the 'Rocky' montage—they want to see themselves getting stronger every day.

Sean has the highest respect for boxing legends like Muhammad Ali.

✔️ Ali was not just physically gifted—his IQ was off the charts.

✔️ Even Mike Tyson is a student of boxing history.

He also discussed legendary South African boxers, including:

✔️ Frans Botha

✔️ Kallie Knoetze

✔️ Corrie Sanders – A tragic loss. Corrie was shot protecting his child in a restaurant robbery.

Sean also trained last year with South African Heavyweight Champion Shaun Potgieter and spared with him at Gert Strydom’s Gym. "When I stepped into the ring with Shaun, there was no playing around. He tried to knock my head off for three rounds!"

However, despite the aggression in the ring, there is always respect and camaraderie afterward. Guys need to be around other guys who share their passion—it’s a break from life.

📡 Sportchefstroom – Your Weekly Sports Update

This episode of Sportchefstroom, as part of the show’s weekly livestream every Tuesday and Thursday.

With Drikus as the host and The Go-To Guy leading the initiative, Sportchefstroom is the go-to platform for sports news and discussions in Potchefstroom.

📺 Watch the full interview with Sean here: 

🔥 Boxing is tough, but it builds resilience like no other sport! 🥊💪

Stay tuned for our next episode, where we dive into another exciting sports topic!

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