Body punching VS Head hunting: case and

**Rocky Balboa** · 03-23-2009 07:01 PM

Originally Posted by JonnyFolds

This fight really showed combination punching at its best. Upstairs, downstairs, hooks, uppercuts. he has it all!

Im gonna watch that

SigmaMu · 03-23-2009 07:33 PM

I cant stand head hunters but when they do manage to land that flying punch, lights do go out and they make for some impressive knock outs although they are very few and far between fights. Not sure why more fighters don't go to the body but yes Miguel Cotto is one of the best body punchers in the business. I am not very fond of the body punch but it does prove to be a major arsenal weapon in some fighters tool box. It takes discipline and patience but to those who master it, it can make a whole heep of difference in the outcome of a fight because God forbid you leave it up to the judges

**RozzySean** · 03-23-2009 07:48 PM

Any of Micky Ward's big fights were won from going to the body first. That "head-body" double left hook was his trademark. If you haven't watched Ward-Green, find that one. I'm not sure anybody else used the body shot as a finishing blow the way Micky did.

Danny, more fighters don't go to the body for a few reasons. Body punches don't score as well with judges as flashy headshots and the benefits of body punching pay off more as a fight goes on. In the short amateur and entry level pro fights, a sustained body attack is less likely to pay off "money in the bank." Only fighters who are excellent body punchers find it worth it to go the body in those fights.

The other reason is that when you go to the body you leave yourself open to big punches - like nasty right uppercuts. If you have a sub-par left hook, the risk-reward is tough and straight rights to the body are also a risky proposition. If you are a shorter fighter, you have no choice but to develop a body attack, but naturally long and lanky fighters can go pretty far with an attack that doesn't include much body work.