Thread: Tips for in-fighting?

Hey guys, I am new to boxing and got my tail handed to me in a sparring match yesterday. The only thing I feel I can do is throw a jab and straight right. For my height I believe I have a short reach and during the sparring session when he got inside, I didn't know what to do. He seemed to negate everything I had with his hands and couldn't throw quick hooks or flurries like I want. Also, with headgear on and fighting a shorter opponent it is difficult to gauge what he is doing and where the punches are coming from. I just shelled up and did some head movement, it is bad when he gets me in the corner though, other things like conditioning were a problem, because after the first 3 minute round, I was getting tired. We did 3 rounds, another issue I have is staying relaxed, I am just glad I fought my instincts and didn't go into street fight mode or start throwing bombs as that would have pissed him off and he would have killed me. He is an older guy too and destroyed me, the main issue is getting used to being hit, conditioning, and in-fighting though. My straight A-to-B punches aren't bad when I can find range, but my reach sucks, getting hit bit is psychological though, I haven't been hit in the since like 15 years or so. I know the proper technique to throw hooks, but they get sloppy and aren't tight during sparring.

I'm addicted to this sport though, any tips helps. I've been doing some heavy bag work 5 times a week, shadowboxing, and jumping rope. I'm going to incorporate speedbag as well, how important is roadwork? I always fear that it be hell on my explosive strength with promotion of slow twitch muscle fiber growth. Thanks for any tips. I have a guy training me twice a week, showing me the basics, otherwise on my own, he is an ex-pro fought for years but I have a hard time understanding him at times because he has been hit so many times. Good guy though.

Originally Posted by ProdigalSon2007

Hey guys, I am new to boxing and got my tail handed to me in a sparring match yesterday. The only thing I feel I can do is throw a jab and straight right. For my height I believe I have a short reach and during the sparring session when he got inside, I didn't know what to do. He seemed to negate everything I had with his hands and couldn't throw quick hooks or flurries like I want. Also, with headgear on and fighting a shorter opponent it is difficult to gauge what he is doing and where the punches are coming from. I just shelled up and did some head movement, it is bad when he gets me in the corner though, other things like conditioning were a problem, because after the first 3 minute round, I was getting tired. We did 3 rounds, another issue I have is staying relaxed, I am just glad I fought my instincts and didn't go into street fight mode or start throwing bombs as that would have pissed him off and he would have killed me. He is an older guy too and destroyed me, the main issue is getting used to being hit, conditioning, and in-fighting though. My straight A-to-B punches aren't bad when I can find range, but my reach sucks, getting hit bit is psychological though, I haven't been hit in the since like 15 years or so. I know the proper technique to throw hooks, but they get sloppy and aren't tight during sparring.

I'm addicted to this sport though, any tips helps. I've been doing some heavy bag work 5 times a week, shadowboxing, and jumping rope. I'm going to incorporate speedbag as well, how important is roadwork? I always fear that it be hell on my explosive strength with promotion of slow twitch muscle fiber growth. Thanks for any tips. I have a guy training me twice a week, showing me the basics, otherwise on my own, he is an ex-pro fought for years but I have a hard time understanding him at times because he has been hit so many times. Good guy though.

Never ever throw a jab when your inside fighting because your open for easy counters to the body.

Well i can't really tell you how to do inside fighting because i don't know your height or ect but for me i use head movement and i always throw little short chopping hooks try to mix it up when your on inside body to head and use some quick flurries.


I can help you more if i know your height bro.

I'm a bit over 5 foot 9 barefooted, another issue I have is staying relaxed with punches yet not losing power...also I haven't adapted well to the 16 ouncers and my shoulders tire real fast. Punches are too slow for my taste, which is odd because I felt strength was a big plus for me, but I think the issues steam with my technique/conditioning. I'm around 170-175 right now, but would like to cut down to 160-165 for optimal boxing shape.

Me doing burpees.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwZg6Wmj5Ug

Uppercuts,lean on the guy,work to the body

Yeah, uppercuts...I really need to work on that. The ex-boxer training me says he doesn't even look up when he throws his uppercut, and his looks more like an arm punch when demonstrating, not much core rotation at all, it was quick though. Another thing with leaning and in-fighting, how do you see your opponent and read him? Do you just feel out your opponent? I always thought you were supposed to keep your eyes on your opponent at all times?

Originally Posted by ProdigalSon2007

Yeah, uppercuts...I really need to work on that. The ex-boxer training me says he doesn't even look up when he throws his uppercut, and his looks more like an arm punch when demonstrating, not much core rotation at all, it was quick though. Another thing with leaning and in-fighting, how do you see your opponent and read him? Do you just feel out your opponent? I always thought you were supposed to keep your eyes on your opponent at all times?

Infighting is different
When your leaning on a guy(especially a smaller opponent) you serve two purposes
A)Your making him carry your weight
B)Even though you cant see what the guys doing,you can feel it by maintaining contact with either his shoulder(preferred) or his head
And yeah,Im the way your coach described his uppercuts,with my body shots
If Im on his shoulder,I know where his ribs are,just pop em sight unseen

Thanks guys, so much to learn! I really do dig the in-fighting though, but does getting hit a whole bunch get any funner? Because as an in-fighter, I think I'm going to get hit a lot.

Originally Posted by ProdigalSon2007

Thanks guys, so much to learn! I really do dig the in-fighting though, but does getting hit a whole bunch get any funner? Because as an in-fighter, I think I'm going to get hit a lot.

Eventually as you learn your buisness,youll learn the purpose of infighting is to take a break where you can hit,but guard.A breather if you will
What you need to do is let your hands go free,and manipulate position,right now it sounds as if your the one being manipulated inside

Yeah, I'm being completely controlled, inside/out it doesn't matter. I want to let my hands go, but it is only sparring and don't want to hurt the guy or anything...or piss him off.

Originally Posted by ProdigalSon2007

Yeah, I'm being completely controlled, inside/out it doesn't matter. I want to let my hands go, but it is only sparring and don't want to hurt the guy or anything...or piss him off.

I was more leaning towards activity level
Just keep the hands active
As far as manipulation on the inside,this part is easier to show then explain,so if it doesnt translate forgive me
There are 4 points of hand position on the inside,what you wish to achieve dictates where your hands should be
If your hoping for quick chopping hooks to the head(and the back of the head,check where the ref is)your hands should be high and out
Those same hooks to the body,out and down
Uppercuts,in and tight
Straights,high tight,and bend your body more to protect the ribs

I can do in fighting but its not really my thing because i have the height and reach to fight on outside using my snappy jab and combos when i do go on inside i normally do quick flurries then im back out again.

Originally Posted by ICE COLD BOXING

I can do in fighting but its not really my thing because i have the height and reach to fight on outside using my snappy jab and combos when i do go on inside i normally do quick flurries then im back out again.

As you get in to longer fights,youll need to work on your inside game.Clinching and infighting is a great way to control the tempo,and if your the taller guy,force them to walk around with your wieght on them,and pushing them using superior leverage

Originally Posted by Trainer Monkey

Originally Posted by ICE COLD BOXING

I can do in fighting but its not really my thing because i have the height and reach to fight on outside using my snappy jab and combos when i do go on inside i normally do quick flurries then im back out again.

As you get in to longer fights,youll need to work on your inside game.Clinching and infighting is a great way to control the tempo,and if your the taller guy,force them to walk around with your wieght on them,and pushing them using superior leverage

Oh yea definetly im not bad inside fighter i normally use quick flurries on inside to stop there offense and im always giving them the shoulder so they can't use an uppercut a mistake i have seen is when people throw jabs on inside i can counter very easily with left hook to the body.

I'll try those quick chopping hooks next time, hopefully I won't be so overwhelmed in the inside next time. I actually get my best shots in when he was attacking as well, but it also means taking a clean shot or leaving yourself vulnerable. Is head movement a good idea while fighting that close or only best utilized when closing the distance? Do quick arm punches ever have any value during in-fighting? Flurry and shell-up? Rinse and repeat?

Originally Posted by ProdigalSon2007

I'll try those quick chopping hooks next time, hopefully I won't be so overwhelmed in the inside next time. I actually get my best shots in when he was attacking as well, but it also means taking a clean shot or leaving yourself vulnerable. Is head movement a good idea while fighting that close or only best utilized when closing the distance? Do quick arm punches ever have any value during in-fighting? Flurry and shell-up? Rinse and repeat?

Inside is the worst place to get overly clever moving your head.
Youll lose track of where your opponent is
And yes obviously your best stuff comes on a counter.If they threw a punch,they just left an opening