Any advice?

[rickig1986]

Hi everyone im new to the site and i am havin a few problems with what direction i should be going for as i am planning my first amateur fight in october and need a little guidance.

I am 6 ft tall, 74" reach and hovering around 132-135lb mark. I have always had a problem with putting weight on/off and im not sure wether being this tall as a lightweight is a good thing or wether it would be best to try and put on more weight and move up a division, any advice would be great

[Chris Nagel]

You're about 23 right? You're fully grown, and you have a choice of either staying staying at featherweight/superfeather or moving up to lightweight.

Do you feel comfortable at your current weight, or do you find that you to sweat off pounds to stay to stay at featherweight? It's smart not to dehydrate yourself into a lower weight-class. Just work hard, train smart and if you grow into the lightweight division don't worry about it. Your height and reach gives a little more leeway about moving up in weight class than other fighters.

[rickig1986]

Yeah 22, I am very comfortable at my weight as this is my natural weight, i have a very high metabolism so i find it very hard to put weight on or take it off, (staying at the targeted weight is a nightmare).

Thanks for you advice, i will just keep training as normal i suppose. If i go up or down then i suppose i will just gain that bit more experience.

By the way with me being 132-135 lb i am lightweight, what would you say is the average height for this division?

[Chris Nagel]

It's above average for sure.

[rickig1986]

I've found that my reach is a big advantage whilst sparring when keeping my footwork going and keeping my distance but i'm stuggling when things get up close and personal if i get caught on the ropes, i'm having a real problem with ducking and weaving whilst keeping an eye on whats being thrown at me so i become a sitting duck until the other guy decides to stop throwing punches?

[Chris Nagel]

A lot of head movement comes from your legs. Adding some unexpected pivots can help you get around your opponent, and get your head out of the line of fire. Use circling to maintain distance, thereby limiting your opponent's punch output help you see their punches coming.

Another thing you can do is to stand obliquely to your opponent, and lean back heavily on your back foot which will take you out of the danger zone without having to take a step back. You can then rock forward and coming back with a punch. This can be used at times to make you harder to reach, and frustrate your opponent enough to cause him to reach giving you plenty of openings while making his punches easier to see.

Sometimes I'll switch from having my left shoulder forward, to having my right shoulder forward while keeping my hands where they are. If nothing else this confuses my opponent to see me punch from that position. It's like the same motion of throwing a right without extending my arm. I'll use this movement when I'm weaving or slipping punches.

If worst comes to worst, clinch! You should set aside some time in your training to work on it, or practice it when your sparring and when you opponent has you shelled up against the ropes.

Anyways take a look at this following video, I think you'll enjoy it: http://www.youtube.com/v/jcA7mAElpu8

[rickig1986]

I already do alot of my dodging staying on the back foot, which works well until they continue in with a combination etc which leaves me having to re-position my feet by which time ive been caught of balance.

I suppose i need to improve on shifting my weight and weaving as you said.

The video has helped alot visually with using other techniques.

What makes me laugh is that in this clip corrales looks massive and he was 5"10 1/2 and im 6". I must be a freak!

Def will be watching alot more of Corrales' fights to get some good ideas on improving my "TALL" boxing techniques

Thanks Chris, really helpfull

[Chris Nagel]

Bob Foster, although a light-heavyweight was a very smart fighter who'd often have the reach on his opponent. He's definitely worth watching, and one fight in particular is his match with Dick Tiger.

You're welcome Rick, good luck with getting better.