Becoming a boxing coach may be a dream job if you love the sport. However, it’s a role that can be hard to break into without the right training, certifications, and network.
That’s why we’ve created this article. It covers everything you need to know about how to become a boxing coach to help you take the first step toward making this your career.
So, without further delay, let’s get started.
Education Requirements for Becoming a Boxing Coach
The education requirements for jobs in boxing coaching tend to be relatively lenient. You will often only need a high school diploma to be considered for a position in this role.
However, earning a college degree in a field like exercise science or physical education may still be valuable. You’ll improve your resume, get more opportunities to build your network, and could pick up new skills that make you a better boxing coach.
The bottom line is that your education typically won’t get you a job as a boxing coach on its own. But it can help to elevate you as a candidate and set you apart from the competition.
Boxing Training and Certification
Perhaps more important than your traditional education is the training you receive as an aspiring boxing coach. After all, this coursework will show you how to coach fighters and make them better – not the work you do in a traditional classroom.
A good place to start is by obtaining a boxing coaching certification from a recognized organization. USA Boxing and the International Boxing Association (AIBA) are two of the biggest for this purpose.
Earning a certification from either of these institutions should be enough to get you started. But you may also want to look into more in-depth boxing coaching courses if you’re just starting in the field.
Experience and Networking
Once you’ve completed your initial training, you’re ready to gain real-world experience and networking. This is where the rubber meets the road in your boxing coaching career.
The most important question that people will have before hiring you as a boxing coach is whether you’ll be able to help a fighter become the best version of themselves and win fights. They’ll look to your experience and network while answering that question.
For example, if you were a successful boxer in your own right, that can be a huge factor in your favor, as it shows that you know how to win fights. Or, if you’ve worked with boxers who have won major events, that may also help you find your next job.
The key here is getting some experience that shows, through results in the ring, that you know what you’re doing as a boxing coach. You can start small and then leverage each success into a new and bigger opportunity.
Starting a Career as a Boxing Coach
As you start thinking about the economics of becoming a certified boxing coach, you’ll find a few different pathways to consider.
For example, you may be able to get your start as an assistant coach at the boxing gym you use already. Or you could start taking on your own clients if you feel you’re ready for it.
Marketing yourself is a major component of starting a successful coaching business. People will only hire you if they believe you’re the best person to get them ready for their next fight. You have to give them reasons to believe that and make those reasons clear and obvious.
Qualities of a Successful Boxing Coach
Whether you want to get into private boxing training or boxing coaching at a gym, these are the qualities that you will need to stand out:
- In-depth knowledge of the sport of boxing
- Strong communication skills
- The ability to motivate and inspire
- Passion for helping athletes reach their full potential
If you already possess these traits, great. You’re well on your way to establishing a career as a boxing coach. But don’t worry if you don’t. These are all traits that you can work on developing as you work on your resume and gain experience.
Costs of Becoming a Boxing Coach
One of the positive aspects of a boxing coaching career is that you don’t need as much of an education to start finding jobs. That means fewer student loans and more financial flexibility to pursue your dreams.
That being said, there are still some costs that you’ll likely encounter while setting up your boxing coaching career. These can include:
- Certification fees (and college tuition if you choose to pursue a degree)
- Gym rental fees
- Equipment costs
- Marketing fees as you establish your business
These costs can vary based on your goals and location. But they’re worth remembering as you start working towards your career as a boxing coach.
Related Jobs
- Multi-Sports Coaching Position
High School Coaching - Northeast Region
- Head Coaching Position - Women's Volleyball
College Coaching - Central Region
Resources for Aspiring Boxing Coaches
With the proliferation of online resources, becoming a better boxing coach has never been easy.
You can find tons of courses, videos, books, and guides online. These cover everything from becoming a USA boxing coach to becoming a boxing trainer for youth athletes.
With that in mind, here are a few excellent boxing coaching center resources to get you started:
Finding a Boxing Career
You can only do so much research into how to become a professional boxing coach. At some point, it becomes time to take action and start taking concrete steps toward your goal.
One way to do that is by signing up for a membership with JobsInSports.com (there are also free options). We maintain an up-to-date list of the latest job postings nationwide, so you can apply to every available boxing coach job in your area until you get your foot in the door.
You’ll still have to develop your knowledge, skills, and network to land your first boxing job. But we make it easier to find the positions and get hired when you’re ready to do so.
Create an account with us today to get started.
