Quote Originally Posted by greynotsoold View Post
I don't think that, from a distance, the left hook is a worthwhile punch. In a recent issue of RING Hopkins agreed with this. From a distance, throw jabs and straight right hands. Now, if you can find a way to dramatically close the distance, without the other guy realizing it, hook him.
Have you seen Hopkins/Trinidad? Watch what a smart fighter (by todays standards) does to a guy looking to lead with the hook. The hook is a short and tight punch, keep the elbow close in and turn those hips.
With any luck this will open up some discussion about Joe Frazier, who didn't do many of those things and is considered a great "left hooker". I'm not so impressed and I'd love to get into this.
I understand and perhaps I expressed myself poorly.
The hook is a close range punch, but I do like to go through the motions, coming from outside with the jab, shifting the weight with the straight right and thus getting close for a full bodied left hook.
Again I'm afraid I'm expressing myself poorly, but essentially I agree, the hook is a close punch.

I was always surprised Eddie Futch was given such credit for training Frazier. I feel he is a great fighter, but his punchingability is from nature, there was little attention to actual technique