How to become a boxing coach (in-person and virtually)

Interested in becoming a boxing coach? This guide teaches you everything you need to know, from the skills you need, to the way you will work, and how you can even become a virtual boxing coach.

If you want to become a boxing coach, you'll need to learn the fundamentals of the sport, gain practical experience in a gym, and attain the necessary certifications.

However, whether you’re a former fighter, fitness trainer, or total beginner, there’s a pathway into boxing coaching.

Plus, boxing is one of the most inclusive sports in the world — you don’t need to have fought professionally (or even competitively) to teach others.

What matters most is passion, technical knowledge, and a commitment to fighter safety.

In this guide, we’ll break down how to move from boxing enthusiast to certified coach, both in-person and online. You’ll also hear advice from a former pro turned coach on how to get started, build your skills, and train others confidently.

Let’s get into it.

5 steps to becoming a boxing coach

Becoming a boxing coach starts with building a strong foundation: learning the sport, gaining hands-on experience, and getting certified.

While there’s always more to master, the five steps below outline the most effective path to start your journey and grow into a respected coach.

1. Understand what it means to be a coach

Being a boxing coach means taking on more than just teaching punches.

You’re a mentor, motivator, and sometimes? Even a life coach. Your role is to guide fighters both physically and mentally, helping them stay disciplined, safe, and focused on long-term goals.

A great coach builds trust, especially with fighters who come from tough backgrounds or are still learning emotional control.

Core responsibilities of a boxing coach:

• Designing training and nutrition plans
• Managing recovery and rest days
• Holding pads and running drills
• Organising sparring and conditioning sessions
• Teaching fight tactics and defensive skills
• Monitoring hydration, safety, and mental readiness

2. Get experience

The fastest way to learn coaching is by being in the gym.

Reach out to a local boxing club, meet the head coach, and offer to help out, even with small tasks like setting up gear or assisting with warm-ups.

You’ll build trust, learn from seasoned trainers, and start understanding how a real fight camp operates.

Starting small isn’t a setback; it’s how every respected coach begins. Use that time to observe how fighters respond to instruction, how coaches motivate differently, and how training programs are structured.

3. Get your coaching certifications

To officially train fighters or work a corner at events, you’ll need a boxing coaching licence from your local or national governing body. The process usually involves:

• Submitting an application form
• Completing a background or security check
• Passing a written test on coaching fundamentals and safety

You’ll be assessed on fighter welfare, boxing rules, and training safety, not on your fighting record.

Once you pass, you’ll receive your official licence, allowing you to join coaching teams, work corners, and represent your fighters professionally.

4. Understand the importance of fighter safety

A coach’s number one job is to protect their fighters: physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Teaching smart defence, enforcing rest days, and monitoring hydration are just as important as developing power or stamina.

I’ll never forget the advice I received from my amateur trainer and mentor when moving into boxing coaching. He said,

"Above all else, you must remember you are protecting someone’s son or daughter. You must look after them like you would your own child."

Before any fight, run through a quick safety checklist:

• Form and defensive skills have been properly taught
• Warm-ups and cool-downs are complete
• Gumshields, gloves, wraps, and protective gear are ready
• Sparring has been supervised and controlled
• Medical and hydration checks are done
• The fighter is mentally focused and emotionally stable

5. Work fighter corners

Once certified, you can join a fighter’s corner team during bouts. Most corners have two or three coaches: a head coach, a second, and sometimes a cutman. 

Each plays a key role:

• Head Coach: Gives tactical advice, monitors the fighter’s condition, and ensures they’re ready each round.
• Second: Handles gear like stools, towels, and gumshields, and assists with hydration and recovery.
• Cutman: Treats cuts, swelling, and applies Vaseline between rounds to prevent stoppages.

Most new coaches start as a second, helping with logistics before moving into the head coach role.

Over time, you’ll develop the skills to manage fights, wrap hands, treat cuts, and lead a corner confidently.

Why is boxing such a popular sport?

Boxing remains one of the world’s most watched and practiced sports because it combines skill, strategy, fitness, and mental resilience in a way few others can.

From casual box-fit classes to professional bouts, it attracts people of all ages and fitness levels.

But its appeal goes beyond the spectacle. Boxing also builds confidence, discipline, and focus – i.e, traits that carry into everyday life.

The sport’s simplicity also helps: two competitors, one goal, and a clear measure of progress.

Behind every fighter is a coach shaping that success.

The role of a boxing coach

Coaches teach technique, build mental toughness, prioritise safety, and develop performance. From training beginners to guiding champions, they play a vital role in keeping the sport alive and respected.

A coach shapes training routines, manages fighters’ safety, and ensures steady progress. They’re part mentor, part strategist, and part motivator, guiding boxers through setbacks, conditioning, and the highs and lows of competition.

Do you have to be a boxer to become a boxing coach?

While boxing coaches are often former fighters, some of the sport’s most famous trainers didn’t box themselves or didn’t make it big. 

Here are five world-famous coaches who never laced up the gloves themselves or were much better coaches than boxers:

4 skills you need as a boxing coach

Becoming a boxing coach doesn’t require decades in the ring, but it does demand a specific mix of knowledge, people skills, and technical awareness.

No gym expects you to arrive as the finished product, but mastering these four core skills will make you a trusted, effective coach at any level.

1. Fundamental knowledge

Coaches must understand the fundamentals of boxing.

Boxing rules and regulations change depending on which level you’re operating at, from White Collar to professional boxing.

Therefore, it pays to have a deep understanding of the sport and how it operates.

You’ll need to know how to:

• Read stance: Identify orthodox, southpaw, or switch-hitters and tailor footwork drills accordingly.
• Teach movement: Build light, balanced footwork and proper positioning.
• Build defence: Keep hands high, elbows tucked, chin down, and teach how to block, parry, slip, and roll.
• Coach effective punching: Master the jab, cross, hooks, and uppercuts — plus how to combine them seamlessly.
• Condition fighters: Improve stamina, speed, and strength with structured programs.
• Help with focus and breathing control: Teach fighters to stay calm, breathe with rhythm, and maintain mental clarity.

These fundamentals are your foundation. The deeper your understanding, the more effectively you can adapt them to different fighters.

2. Networking

Boxing thrives on relationships, and your network will shape your coaching career.

Connect with other coaches, fighters, referees, and matchmakers at events, and build your reputation as someone reliable and professional.

Online spaces can also help you grow your presence. Engage in boxing forums, Facebook groups, and gym social media pages to stay visible and connected.

3. Communication

Communication with fighters and other coaches is key.

Make yourself available to chat with others involved in boxing. Being open and honest helps build trust and relationships.

If there’s ever a question or problem, others in boxing should know you are approachable and willing to discuss matters.

As a boxing coach, you should always be open and honest in your feedback.

You must learn a fighter’s nature to better understand how they react to pressure and how best to offer instructions or advice.

4. Technical skills

It’s important to stay up to date with the latest rules and amendments, as boxing rules, regulations, and best practices change regularly.

It’s also best to keep pace with technology’s ever-increasing role in sports. When used correctly, tech can improve training, results, and boxing safety.

Trial new tech, read reviews, speak to other boxers, and ensure your fighters are using the best equipment the gym can afford.

Here’s a list of some training aids available in boxing today:

• Punch trackers.
• Virtual reality training tools.
• Heart rate monitors.
• Fitness trackers.
• Smart punchbags.
• Video analysis software.
• Recovery tools.
• Smart hydration systems.
• AI training apps.
• Wearable impact monitors.

As a boxing coach, you must always strive for better. Improved performance from your fighters and safer methods in training and competition. Staying up-to-date with tech and rules changes will help you become a respected boxing coach.

What is an online boxing coach?

These days, many coaches work remotely, guiding clients through tailored workouts, feedback sessions, and progress tracking entirely online.

"I make about $200k per year and have for the last 3 years or so. Been solely online for 7yrs next year."

- Andrew Read, Founder of PeakPerformance40

Training apps have made this easier than ever, letting users subscribe monthly for access to drills, tutorials, and fitness plans they can follow from their phones.

Whop makes it simple. You can:

• Build and sell personalized training plans
• Host virtual coaching sessions or Q&As
• Share technique breakdowns or conditioning programs
• Interview other coaches and grow your community

"Pro tip? Just record your first one-on-one coaching sessions and then turn those recordings into course modules week by week.

To start taking on clients, all you need is a payment processor, and Whop is the best payment processor for entrepreneurs. Set up Whop Payments and get a checkout link so your clients can start paying you for your service in minutes."

- Brett Malinowski, Head of Marketing at Whop

Meet your boxing guide:

This guide was created with insights from Frank Monkhouse, a former professional boxer and experienced coach who trained out of London’s legendary Peacock Gym.

After competing professionally and later moving into writing, Frank has continued to mentor boxers and fitness coaches across the UK.

He has a clear, realistic view of what it actually takes to start coaching, build trust with fighters, and grow in the sport.

Further reading: Upcoming, unmissable boxing bouts: Where to watch, predictions, odds + more

Start your boxing coach career with Whop

The average coach is pulling in $65k+ a year from online offers – and that's just the average.

Specialty trainers (like boxing coaches) can pull in much more with the right offer, marketing, and platform.

Whop handles everything from delivery to payments, records to analytics, so that you can focus on what matters most: landing clients and closing deals.

Courses, community access, paywalled videos, 1:1 coaching – however you want to run it, you can.

Sign up to Whop today for free and launch your first boxing offer in minutes – for free.

Boxing coaching FAQs

What are the benefits of remote training for you?

There’s no need to rent a gym and pay expensive rates for a prime location. Accept users from across the United States, the United Kingdom, and worldwide. Be your own boss and build an online brand.

What are the benefits of remote training for customers?

Subscribers can train when and where they like. This is ideal for those who lack the confidence to join a boxing gym. Train at a time, place, and pace that suits.

How to get started on Whop

If you’re ready to take your boxing coaching to a global audience, Whop is primed to help. Visit the website or app and click on the Start Selling button. You can then create your whop in just a few minutes through the user-friendly interface.

How to accept payments

The integrated and secure payment platform on Whop allows you to set a price, accept payments, renew subscriptions, offer discounts, and more. You are in complete control of rates while Whop keeps you secure and earning.

When is best to create a boxing whop?

The best time to start is right now. If you have a background in boxing or feel you have something to offer the industry and want to target a fresh audience, Whop offers limitless opportunities. All you need is the knowledge and desire to succeed.