When you were a beginner, did you fight like a champion? My guess is no. Let him develop as a fighter and try to help him overcome his reflexes before sparring with him.

Your friend doesn't have a "punch phobia." Your friend is a beginner who has an idiot recklessly throwing punches in his face. Tell him to keep going to class and to find some new and better friends.

Thanks, I appreciate your answer. I suppose reflexes are probably the issue; I'm sure he'll over come it quickly. Thanks again!

When we practice stand up my friend only throws one or two Punches and it's very easy for me to overwhelm him to the point that he just turtles up and I can just pick shots endlessly. How can he cure himself of this Punch phobia? (He just started a club a few days ago and wanted to "spar" with me. I don't do any formal fight training I simply watch and practice for my own sake).