The worst nightmare a boxer can have is being knocked out by a rival. The moment is humiliating when one boxer is knocked out in front of all the people in the audience and the people who have high hopes for him. However, being knocked out does not mean that it is the end of your career, rather it is the moment to gather your courage to face and learn from your mistakes.

Advice for restoration from a knockout

Standing on your feet

Getting back on your feet after a knockout is a difficult task. It is not a simple fall to the ground it rather feels like teleportation from your standing stance to laying on the ground. Your body may feel numb and dizzy like you are about to faint. In this condition, you might stumble and cripple back to the ground while trying to get up. The brain is still trying to focus your balance and bring back your consciousness. Take a slight gap and then stand up so that the neural system re-coordinates the body movements.

Recover your Balance

Do not underestimate any knockdown from the opponent. As soon as you fall to the ground do not quickly stand up and bug into a fight, this will only make you vulnerable to the opponent’s punches. Your body may not be ready to keep its balance even though your conscious says you are fine. Make slight movement and take deep breathes, walk around and maintain your balance.

Remain calm and counter attack

Keep your mind and body calm after a knockdown. Your anger might roar to get hold of your opponent and knock him down as payback or you may try to defend yourself. Let go of the feeling of humiliation and agitation. In such a scenario, utilize your mind to set a trap for the opponent while recovering your stance. Turning your offense or defense at this moment would make you more vulnerable to a knockout. So, stay calm and focus on finding the opportunities to bring down your opponent. If you are seriously injured and going on a defensive mode is the only option then pin your arms down and hands closer to the body.

Remedies for Physical damage from a knockout

If you are unable to stand on your feet and feels dizzy, the immediate remedy is to go the hospital. Getting a headache during a fight or after a knockdown can be fatal. Boxing is a hard sport and getting involved in it requires a lot of perfection and expertise training.

Avoid sparring after a physical injury

Do not spar immediately after a battle; give your body a rest for at least a month. The number of rest days depends upon your physical condition. If you just felt dizzy after the knockout, a week is enough for recovery. If you were unconscious for a total of 5 minutes, then you need to rest for 3-6 months. During this time, light training and workouts must be continued but a full rest from strenuous activities must be given to the body. Avoid any workout if you suffer from a continuous headache. If you had internal bleeding especially in the brain, then give up boxing and go for some other sport.

Are there any punch-absorption exercises?

Some boxers talk about specific neck and chin exercises for bearing a knockout, but there aren’t any specific punch-absorption exercises. Performing neck-strengthening workouts would help to bear a hard blow but protecting yourself from a knockout is only possible by speedy and smooth reflexes along with strong defensive skills. Moreover, a boxer’s instinct must see through the angles and ways a knockout may occur and to avoid the blind shots at that moment.

Regaining mental strength after a knockout

Getting a knockout by a rival in front of all your fans and audience hurts mentally even more than physically. The emotion steered by losing causes embarrassment in front of your family and friends. This loses self-confidence and creates emotional anguish.

Knockdown is an obvious part of the game

Do not let yourself feel down by the thoughts of losing because of a knockout. It is a routine happening in a boxing match and occurs to exceptional pro boxers too. Even tremendous boxers like Mike Tyson have met several knockouts. For new boxers, it is a common occurrence in sparring matches and professional matches too. It is not true that the best boxers never are knocked out, and being knocked out is not the worst thing that can happen to you. It is all about regaining your loss and keeping up training to master techniques and strategies for the fight.

Training for boosting skills for preventing knockouts
Master your defensive techniques.
Look into your sparring videos and see the moment your fists drop.
Keep your attention in exchanging fists.
Spar with diverse boxers to learn different combat styles.
Master your reflexes. Quick and smooth reflexes are the key to survival.
Perform drills to enhance your body coordination with the punches.
Keep yourself confident and comfortable in the ring.

Restoring self-assurance

Do not underestimate or overestimate yourself after a knockdown. Do not lose hope thinking that you are a loser and that you always will be. On the other hand, do not think so highly of yourself to believe that it is just a slight mistake or misunderstanding and let it go. Let yourself train harder to bring forth your inner strength and power into boxing. There is always room for perfection, your body’s power is enhancing, developing, and forming a perfect self. So, do not let down your spirit and progress in training. Move forward to learn from new opportunities. Do not give up because you have a weak chin, keep up your advancement in training and workout to strengthen your weak chin.

Keynote: Failure or loss is never an end to your career or sports. Although a knockout is the least favorable outcome for a boxer in a battle. There is always a way to overcome the physical and emotional loss caused by a knockout.