10 yr old do a boxing match?

[starday]

My 10 yr old is quite shy, lacks confidence enjoys team sports but never not particularly 'talented' at rugby or footy, started boxing (his choice and nagging us about it) about 10 mths ago and apparently seems to be quite good.
I don't like boxing as a sport but have always told him I recognise how good it is for your fitness and don't mind him doing it for that, but now he wants to do a match and the coaches want him to go more often to train so that the can work with him.

What would you do ? I don't want him fighting especially at 10 years, but he has increased in confidence and he's going to secondary in September so that can only be a good think. Feel really torn about what to do.
OH is quite happy to let him do matches

Hi. My son is 11 and there has been no mention of matches. Are matches definitely on the cards ? Are there certain rules for this age? We have friends who do Thai boxing matches and it is very safe and controlled.
Speak to the coach and ask for some more details. I’m sure they will be used to parents asking.
As you said it’s great for fitness and confidence but I understand your concern re games. Good luck and keep us posted !

I think if he's showing a skill and a passion in something you need to allow him to follow it through and support him. Otherwise he'll always remember when his mum stopped him from doing something he's good at because she was worried he'd get hurt/become a street fighter etc.

DH has been boxing for a few years and the discipline for training and bouts is hard. It's a lot of work and not something people just looking for a scrap tend to a stick at as they are quickly out techniqued by the people who take it seriously.

I think you need to consider why you don't want him to fight in a controlled environment? Is it a fear of him getting hurt? (could easily happen sparring in training) is it a fear of him starting fights at school? (he's having the training regardless of if he is taking part in matches or not) is it making fighting seem acceptable in every day life? (no decent boxing school will encourage this mindset)

Yes it's def matches on the card just local ones I think. The club has quite a few good young boxers who win national competitions

I am 100% worried about him getting hurt. I'm his mum why would I let him do something that puts him in potential danger? No different to why I won't let him cycle with no helmet.

I have no worries about him starting fights as he really is quite shy, and very gently kind etc boy with very strong morals (luckily) his biggest problem in football is he doesn't tackle hard incase he hurts the other players, so I honestly did not think he would ever want to do a match

Being worried about him getting hurt is completely normal. However if he is doing any sparring at his sessions at the moment, that threat is there regardless as he is still fighting with another person, just not for 'points' in a match.

If he wants to do it I would let him if the coach says it will be safe. I did matches in martial arts around his age, maybe a bit younger and was fine. It does help with confidence a lot.