Off the ropes..

[donnydarkoIRL]

This is a location commonly seen as a disadvantage, but it can be highly beneficial if you know what to do. Seee Wilfred Benitez or Juan Diaz.

Backing an opponent to the ropes or corner is an instinctive strategy implemented by a slower boxer, chasing a taller or more mobil opponent. The simple fact is that once the fighter does limit the faster guys mobility he has little idea what to do next.

This puts the fighter with his back to the ropes in a situation where he has a unique window of opportunity. When viewed in perspective the fighter has a slower guy walking him into the ropes and putting himself in range with no particular plan when he does get there.

If I were polaced against the ropes I would retaliate primarily with the uppercut, directed toward the head if possible. Room for clean punching may be limited so I find leaning froward less than 45 degrees will force an opening. This will allow the window of opportunity to fill the gap with uppercuts and hooks. I heard this term used in a recent Juan Diaz fight. At this stage the man forcing the opponet to the ropes will make a concious decision, either he will slug it out or he will tie the opponent. up. Should you be tied up you simply rotate clockwise and you have room to move. Should he slug, you have another key advantage in that he cannot force you backward. His punches will have impavct but you have to focus less on balance. When you create space for yourself to punch, make those punches count. Should you achieve this goal you can presume he takes a step back allowing for you to counter with a straight.

As I've mentioned being square on with your back against the ropes, means you can actually endure more punishment without having to worry about balance. Use this adavantage.


And remeber, anytime your opponent concentrates entirely on offense (i.e. when your pinned against the ropes.) he is neglecting his defence.

[iceman]

would it not be better to be in a postion where you can move freely? not everyone is Ali and he paid a price for geting hit... why limit your mobility?

[donnydarkoIRL]

Well you touched on my counter comment in your post also. Not evryone is Ali, in that they can lay on the ropes, but then not everyone is as good as Sugar Ray in mid ring or as Charley Burley on the move. Every fighter has something different and I feel it's a good time to develop that something in the amateurs. Fighting on the ropes can prove to be as beneficial a skill as any.

Roy Jones Jr. suffered severe knockout losses. In common they had one factor. Roy was on the ropes. Trainers emphasise the importance of fighting outside and inside at an early stage, why not give a little knowledge of rope fighting too? Because it's not very well known I believe.

Wilfred Benitez was a master of this technique.
It takes a huge amount of energy to get into a heaving match with an opponent pushing you onto the ropes. I think it would be highly advantageous to allow the opponent to push your back to the ropes only to be placed in a familiar setting with a degree of command over the situation.