Learning to box is tough, but dodging unwanted interruptions became the real test of strength for this boxer.

When an unqualified trainer kept butting in with unhelpful advice, he decided it was time to set things straight.

Read on for the full story.

AITA for calling out a trainer who keeps sneaking up at me/us at the gym?

I’ve been boxing for 6-8 months and have experience in grappling at a reputable MMA gym.

Before long, they came across some annoying characters.

A trainer at this regular gym I go to has previously approached me with unsolicited critique, but when asked, couldn’t provide any direct feedback on what I was doing wrong.

I found this annoying, but handled politely the first time around. He offered to “train” me, which I said I’d consider and let him know.

When they saw a beginner, they tried their best to be respectful and helpful, unlike the trainer.

Today, I saw a beginner who looked like he had no prior training, so I kindly asked if he wanted some unsolicited advice in between his sets and when he was facing me.

He was very receptive, even giving me fist bumps.

But wouldn’t you know it, the trainer decided to butt in once again.

The same trainer then decided to interrupt us from behind, commenting on how I said I’m not an expert.

I told the beginner, “I’m not exactly an expert, but I’ve been training for about 7 months now, can I show you how to and when to jab?”

The boxer sticks up for themselves and tries to set a boundary with the overbearing trainer.

I calmly but firmly pointed out that he wasn’t part of our conversation and explained that his interruptions come off as condescending.

He acted surprised and claimed I was being hostile, and asked how he was offensive.

After explaining that this wasn’t my first interaction with him, I also let him know what he said and asked how he would interpret that if the roles were reversed.

This seemed to be enough to get him to back off.

He didn’t seem to have an answer for that or anything else after I walked him through the facts.

He decided to end the conversation neutrally after explaining how his words could come across (i.e. saying that he can tell I’m not an “expert” as his opener to us?).

But did the boxer make the right decision?

Now I’m questioning if I overreacted.

At the end, the beginner I approached asked if the training of his was free, and I heard him slightly scoff at that statement lol.

AITA?

Any boxer knows that a well-timed counter can transform any fight or conversation.

What did Reddit make of all this?

At the end of the day, his pushiness probably isn’t personal.

This redditor found the boxer’s eagerness to approach another beginner a bit hypocritical.

Unsolicited advice usually goes against the rules of a boxing gym, according to this redditor.

This commenter thinks the boxer did the right thing.

This boxer learned that setting boundaries is just as important as training for the next fight.

Sometimes words can hit harder than fists.

If you enjoyed that story, read this one about a mom who was forced to bring her three kids with her to apply for government benefits, but ended up getting the job of her dreams.