most people at the gym truly do suck. poor mechanics, no athleticism or coordination whatsoever. Frightening, really. I'm fortunate that I'm blessed with "hard punches and great leverage." But I approach everything very methodically and scientifically... slowly, in the mirror, even with a metronome, etc to develop my rythm and timing and feel. The two old farts that have been trainnig me stress proper mechanics and nothing but. They feel all that fancy sht will come as you develop your own style in the ring. Thus, we work strictly on four punches and bringing the hands back, otherwise I'm eating a mit. And I mean EATING it. One time he popped me so hard I almost hit him back I was so pissed off. I took it right in the mouth with no mouthguard. But I learned my lesson.

I actually like it when my trainers fire back because it gets you accustomed to seeing punches come at you. You have to learn to keep the eyes open and relax through the oncoming flurries, otherwise you'll get clocked. IMO.