Boxing

I like boxing, it's not only a sport it's self but it is also great conditioning and even for self defense.
Read this on self defense it's a question posed to Randy LaHaie of http://protectivestrategies.com/ ;
"Q. I read your Reach Out and Punch Someone. Do your think that taking up boxing or martial arts would be a good idea for someone concerned with self defense as opposed to just practicing on objects or none resisting people?-------------------------------------------------

Definitely, I think that "impact work" (hitting and being hit) is essential for anyone who is serious about self-defense and street fighting. For example, I teach police recruits how to punch, kick, grapple and spar.

My intent is not so much to teach them to "fight" but to provide them with "building blocks" they need to participate in "Stress Inoculation" training. Stress inoculation is a progressive training program designed to reduce their fear and stress levels in a violent or volatile encounter to allow them to remain more composed and effective.

Many people come into law enforcement with no previous exposure to or experience with violence. They've never been in a fight before. They've never been hit hard or had to hit someone else in a real world encounter. The increases the potential of them being highly stressed and even "terrified" in their first knock down, drag out clash with a violent person.

That's not good. Stress inoculation training is intended to combat that and increase their "comfort level" in a critical incident. It's no different with ANYONE who wants to perform effectively in a street fight or self-defense encounter.

The more you can inoculate yourself to the fear and stress of a confrontation the more effective and successful you will be at defending yourself. This training starts with a solid foundation in striking and hitting skills and then progresses through a variety of combative training drills that will not only develop legitimate fighting qualities but a more confident and composed mind set as well. "

If you are interested on training for boxing then this website has some good videos http://www.rivalboxing.com/e/trainingtips-e.html I haven't watched them all but I have started watching them and I am planing on checking them all out.