Would you like to learn how to box? If the answer is yes, then this book is for you, the beginner (the novice). The book's primary purpose is simply the teaching of essential boxing skills to men and women interested in learning the amateur sport of boxing. Boxing is learned. There are no naturals. The book, photographs and companion DVDs are designed for teaching the essential boxing skills (footwork and punches) to both Right-Handed and Left-Handed ("south paw") aspiring boxers. Since this is a book for beginners, only the essentials are taught, which includes footwork movements, offensive punching including the first three punches, the first two-punch combinations, defensive blocks and counter punches plus the three essential angles needed to avoid being hit. By mastering all the lessons in this book and on the companion DVDs (NOT INCLUDED WITH PURCHASE; SEE NOTE BELOW) and we mean mastering ALL the lessons including physical conditioning, "Ring Drills", sparring and SKILLS TESTS. These are the essential building blocks for becoming an accomplished boxer. THEN, AND ONLY THEN will you be prepared to comfortably proceed to the next level of learning, which is beyond the scope of this book. The next level includes six additional punches, more advanced ring skills and more intense conditioning required for competition so some day you WILL be prepared to compete for a CHAMPIONSHIP. It usually takes three to six months of conditioning and skills training before you are ready for the "Ring Drills" and the sparring lessons in this book. "Ring Drills" offer the opportunity to enter the ring with an experienced boxer who helps to "teach not injure" so you can improve and polish your skills on offense and begin to learn defense in the ring under the watchful eyes of your coach. After learning offense and defense during the "Ring Drills", you can begin the process of sparring in the ring with an experienced boxer so you can master the remaining essential lessons and skills for the beginner without being injured. NOTE: DVD'S available from BoxingEssentialSkills.com.