Interview with Laura Pain

Get closer to boxing professionals in our interview series and take on advice for your own training and goals.

Laura Pain is an undefeated boxing champion who got into the sport after excelling at kickboxing. Since 2016 she has been a part of our #togetherwebox campaign and at 18, really is going from strength to strength.

We spoke to Laura about her passion for boxing, how she trains and being the best boxer she (and you) can be.

Profile

Name: Laura Pain
Age: 18
Location: Dorking, Surrey
Years boxing: 4
Best career moment: Winning the ENYO Belt

Interview Questions

1. Tell us how you got into the sport and your journey from a beginner to fighting competitively.

I started boxing 4 years ago. I decided to try boxing out as I was a kickboxer competing regularly in competitions and wanted to improve my hands for kickboxing. As soon as I walked into the boxing gym I felt a huge buzz and couldn’t wait to put my gloves on. As I did kickboxing I knew the different punches etc., so my coach Mark put me straight on the pads.When I was in the ring it felt like the place I wanted to be. I didn’t want the rounds to stop. This was when I knew I was hooked. At first I found it challenging as I had old kickboxing habits such as a different stance and guard, however I didn’t stop learning and it became natural. I decided to knock kickboxing on the head and focus on boxing as I discovered boxing is what I had a real passion for. I am now currently undefeated and I train every day and focus on being the best boxer I can be.

2. What kind of training do you do on a weekly basis? i.e. mixture of cardio, weight training, pad work, etc?

Each week I push myself to the limit in training. Each week I do a mixture of bag work / pad work, sparring, strength and conditioning work and cardio. I don’t cut any corners in training and give it 110% so when I have a fight I know mentally I have done everything possible to be the best I can.

3. What inspires you to get into the ring and do you have a pre-fight routine?

I have a huge passion for boxing, and it gives me huge self-satisfaction. In training I always push myself to limits and I know that as soon as I step through the ropes into the spotlight it will pay off. The feeling of my hand being raised at the end of a fight is what inspires me to get into the ring and give it everything I’ve got.

4. How/what do you eat pre and post-competition to maintain your fitness level?

Maintaining my fitness level is crucial, and diet is really important. I don’t have a set diet plan because I naturally eat healthy anyway, however before a fight I make sure I eat a while before it and eat healthily. Also drinking water is crucial so I make sure that I am hydrated.

5. How do you prepare yourself for the highs of winning and the lows of defeat?

Mental preparation is really important, each morning of a fight you wake up knowing you’re either going to have the best feeling of your hand being raised, or you’re going to have a knock back and have a low feeling of being defeated, (unless it’s a draw). In boxing you need to get into the mentality that whatever the decision, you have to learn from it. Whether it’s a win, draw or loss there’s experience and learning curves in every fight what you can go back to in the gym and improve on. I carry a lot of pressure being undefeated, however I have a great team behind me that push me and believe in my ability.

6. What have you learnt from boxing that you apply to other areas of your life?

Boxing has taught me a lot about life genuinely, it gives you life lessons I don’t believe other sports will, boxing teaches you a lot in a lot of different ways, however, I feel personally it’s a fantastic sport for discipline, respect and self-satisfaction. It also teaches you that although you’re alone in the ring, you have a team around you supporting you. This teaches you to socialise with different people, with different ambitions and work with them. It also teaches you about focusing on what you want to achieve, and not letting anything stop you which can be applied to any other areas of life.

7. What’s your best piece of advice for anyone starting out in boxing, either for fitness or competitively?

If I could give one bit of advice, it would be to not worry what anyone thinks and do what you want to do for yourself. If you constantly worry about other people’s opinions, you won’t be happy. Life is about standing on your own two feet to achieve your own dreams. This can be either boxing competitively, boxing for fitness or just genuinely in life.

To keep updated, follow Laura on Twitter with the handle @laurarosepain.