15 Year Old Boy Wants to Start Boxing

I took a kickboxing class (not aerobic kickboxing, but true kickboxing) as an adult and LOVED IT. Boxing is not quite the same, but similar and I would whole-heartedly support it. You can talk to the instructor, but my guess is that he would be working out with a bag learning form for quite a while, not in a ring sparring other kids. That is something to ask at the gym.

ETA: I just want to add that talking to the instructor would be essential for me. If the place puts kids quickly into a ring to box each other, I would not be in favor. But you say it's a class, and I would expect that classes would be focused on proper form and strength training using bags, and that is what I would have no problem with.

Are there boxing clubs where you live? I'd look at their online reviews (Yelp, Google) and go from there. Personally I would HATE the idea of my kid getting his face and brains punched into mush but I guess it happens in certain cultures/communities.

See if you can find a gym that offers boxing month to month. Is he possibly in trouble at school??? Talk to him and let him do it. My daughter learns to box on the heavy bag as part of her gym class. She enjoys it and there haven't been any problems with her learning it.

One of my former students (a girl) took up boxing after she finished high school. She talks about how much it built her confidence, helped her get healthier, and got her away from the drinking and drugs she was using. Yes, she had some injuries, but overall it was a very positive thing for her.

I would be sure that he is at a gym that requires head gear and teaches "safe" boxing. My former student didn't go to a gym like that. She still has some issues with some damage to her eye.

I'd look into what the classes involve. If it's along the lines of martial arts, with kids mostly learning moves or boxing with several types of bags (like kickboxing, plus with work on a speed bag that builds coordination), I think it's fine. This is pretty much solitary work, punching objects and not using another person as the target! If he's not particularly athletic but wants to find something to help him get in shape, that's a good goal.

If it involves a whole lot of sparring, make sure significant headgear is worn, and that no sparring takes place until well into the lessons. Traumatic brain injuries and concussions are, of course, the concern with repeated blows to the head. Make sure that the place giving the classes (gym or other fitness center) is absolutely on top of the most recent recommendations, especially for kids.

With any kid taking something on, I'd make sure he sat in on a class to see what's involved. If he gets bored easily because he's not that strong, you don't want to pay for a long series of classes if he's going to get sick of it. A lot of times, "reluctant athletes" quit after the first few sore muscles. But if he's into it and making a commitment, that could be a good thing.