Dealing with pressure (fighters)

[HerbM]

Jahmez,

Excellent. I was really hoping some folks would add to and correct my post, so thanks.

My post was really pretty naive (not necessarily in a bad way): Written by a beginner for other beginners. I think your additions really begin taking it up a level.

A couple of clarifications...

When you say

...sometimes I'm better off looking to land a right hook to where I think his chest will be after he has slipped to the inside of my feinted jab. It doesn't matter if I miss his head with my fist because I've still got a chance that my arm will wrap around his upper body stopping him from throwing his left hook and allowing me to clinch and turn him....

Are you "aiming at where is chest will be" and expecting his slipping to put his head IN THAT SPOT? Or have I misunderstood this?

...There's also a chance that you could unintentionally clothes hanger...

I am not sure what "clothes hanger" means here -- it makes me think of "clothes line" from football or wrestling, but I am uncertain what it means here and how to picture it.

[jahmez]

Are you "aiming at where is chest will be" and expecting his slipping to put his head IN THAT SPOT? Or have I misunderstood this?

I am not sure what "clothes hanger" means here -- it makes me think of "clothes line" from football or wrestling, but I am uncertain what it means here and how to picture it.

1) I started aiming for the chest of an opponent with frustrating head movement after reading one of Andre's or AdamGB's posts. It's often a futile effort trying to continously jab the head of a fighter who's spent most of his training planning to counter this. The good thing about aiming for their chest is that its the largest target and you have a chance of catching them off balance. A good example of this is the KD Holyfield scored against Tyson in their first fight. Alot of pressure fighters who favour left hook counters fight from a more squared on stance and can be caught off balance especially when they are inside and pivoting to find a new angle. Another thing about aiming for the chest is that alot of pressure fighters are shorter (especially in the heavier weight classes). Sometimes aiming for the body can take a taller opponents height advantage away and allow the pressure fighter to not have to punch upwards giving him extra power and handspeed.

2) We are thinking the same thing. Again I don't know what the others will think about this because I too am no expert but this has just worked for me.

I used to have alot of trouble dealing with pressure fighter until I realized that pressure fighters are not in control no matter how much they want to make you think they are. If you relax and think "science" you realize that most of them are essentially counter-punchers who rely on you making the most fundamental of mistakes (moving back in a straight line forgetting to set up angles, predictable constant punch output (jabbing over and over to the head), and overall panicking which leads to fatigue which is the pressure fighters' best freind). Its also important to remember that because they are constantly moving forward they can increase the power of one of your own shots.

[ICB]

I used to like to cover up, tight guard basically putting earmuffs on. Let my opponent waste energy hitting arms and gloves. Then hit him with clean hard counter shots to body, especially the liver and the sternum.

No better way to slow a pressure fighter down, and especially after they've just finished throwing a combination or ETC. They will soon slow up from that. And also make sure your breathing properly and you'll always relaxed.

Yes boxing and using your jab is the key, and also make sure your giving him angles. And learn to turn your opponent, when he gets you on the ropes.

And the most important thing is counters, use your opponents aggression against them. Especially when he closes the distance, and your on the inside with your opponent, as i said above body shots are the key.

And lastly make sure you tie up your opponent on the inside, not allowing him to work. A good example of this is Holyfield vs Tyson 1.