| Professional fighting is a business conducted for | | | | from my experience with the hundreds of fine young |
| monetary gain. Amateur boxing is a competitive sport | | | | men with whom I have worked as a boxer, as coach |
| or recreation. These distinctions should be kept in | | | | at the University of Wisconsin, while in service with |
| mind at all times. | | | | the Marines, and as a coach of the United States |
| We are directing our instructions, advice, and | | | | Olympic team. They have been the sons of poor |
| suggestions to the coach supervising boxers | | | | men and rich men; they have come from the big |
| individually or in groups; to the boy who, motivated | | | | cities and from the farm; they have ranged in weight |
| by a desire for competitive or recreational activity, | | | | from 90 pounds to 250 pounds; some have been |
| wishes to learn the fundamentals of boxing; and also | | | | timid, others bold; many had never boxed before. |
| to the father who acquiesces to the urge to teach | | | | They have in no way been "typed." |
| his son the art of boxing. | | | | And when our active association as student and |
| We intend to be very fundamental in our approach, | | | | teacher ended each boy without exception was the |
| and thus to enable even an inexperienced coach to | | | | richer for his experiences. Not a single boy has borne |
| put across readily an effective instructional program | | | | a mark that might not just as well have been inflicted |
| to his boys. We want to make it possible for the boy | | | | in a sliding accident, in a friendly scuffle, in an |
| to whom personal supervision is unavailable to teach | | | | accidental fall, in a football game, or in a basketball |
| himself. We also hope to save the father lacking in | | | | contest. And the poise, coordination, confidence, |
| boxing experience the ignominy of receiving a "shiner" | | | | physical conditioning, and competitive experiences |
| as he attempts on bended knees to impart to his | | | | gained were apparent without exception. Many of |
| son the principles of the "manly art." | | | | these boys have since become lawyers, doctors, |
| We believe that too often the fundamentals of | | | | teachers, or businessmen. |
| boxing are overlooked in favor of complicated | | | | One of our own Wisconsin boys -- Woody Swancutt, |
| punches, series of maneuvers, and fancy footwork. | | | | who was a two-time national collegiate champion -- |
| Just as fundamentals such as tackling and blocking | | | | distinguished himself as a B-29 pilot over Japan and |
| pay off in football, so it is the properly executed left | | | | was later selected in competition with thousands of |
| jab, straight right, and an occasional left hook that | | | | others seeking the honor to pilot the plane dropping |
| bring victory in the boxing ring. | | | | the first test atom bomb at Bikini. Woody's foremost |
| Experience has proven that the methods of teaching | | | | rival in college -- Heston Daniels of Louisiana State |
| and learning boxing employed throughout this book | | | | University -- flew one of the United States Army |
| are just as adaptable to youngsters as they are to | | | | planes participating in General Doolittle's first raid over |
| boys of high school and college age. We have found | | | | Tokyo. |
| through years of work with "kid" classes that lads of | | | | Here again the pilots were carefully selected from |
| seven to twelve years are often more adaptable to | | | | among the finest physical and mental specimens in |
| these methods than their older brothers who may | | | | the United States Army Air Force. The famed and |
| have acquired erroneous ways which must be | | | | great Jimmie Doolittle himself first gained prominence |
| righted. | | | | as an amateur boxing champion. |
| My personal enthusiasm for amateur boxing stems | | | | |