My younger son D has decided to compete in the heavyweight division in the Golden Gloves. We are starting training camp early – competition won't begin until late January. This gives us time to get him in top shape for tournament competition, which is by nature very different from being on a single fight card.
He has a full-time job, and works out in our “gym” in the garage about four times per week. We have a variety of heavy- and speed bags, mitts, etc. We are also surrounded by old dirt and logging roads, perfect for road work. And in the September storms brought down over 25 good-sized trees on my property, and so I'll be getting out my axes for him.
Sparring is not always easily accessible in our area. There are two gyms that are between 30 and 45 minutes away. There are also a few “local” guys who should be willing to put in a few rounds per week with my boy. But we will almost certainly have to do some traveling, to get to some better gyms for higher quality sparring.
I might also put him on a fight card or two between Thanksgiving and New Year's to get some laps around the track.
If this goes as planned, we are hoping to go to the nationals next year.