what kind of routine do you use?
Basically, it's based around explosiveness and conditioning. The conditioning part is a real bitch. I can lift all day if I have to, but the conditioning is way harder. I really, really don't know how to describe what I do unless I go into all the exercises, but that'd take a while.
what brought this on?
I feel it's something I'd enjoy and be good at. The job I have now (although some might look down on it) is actually pretty good and pays well. I work at In-N-Out burger. I'm not in management yet and I'm on track for finishing out the year making $30,000. Next year, if things go my way, I should be able to bump it up to $45k, then $60 the next year etc. Store managers average $100k+ a year and have opportunity to go on awesome trips if they run their stores well enough (last year, they took the Store Managers that hit all of their goals for the year to Switzerland).
So I'm not doing it because I have to, but because I think it'd be a good pasttime. I'm aware of the risks, I'm aware of the pain involved...but it gives me something to work towards. Even if I don't end up doing MMA, I'll at least be able to protect myself and my friends.
Also, I'm planning on training in Muay Thai and BJJ. Maybe throw in some other things later, but those are the two I want to focus in.
Don't care about safer. Boxing is far more technical. MMA is for thugs. Boxing is only boring if you only watch lumbering heavyweights. The middle weight classes is where it's at. Plenty of action, but still having the knock out power.
Boxing is about as technical as MMA. If you're looking for a technical fight, look to the lightweights up through the middleweight classes. Hell, you can even look to LHWs to deliver technical fights (see: Lyoto Machida vs anyone). Heavyweighs CAN be technical, but most of them are just beasts.