Want to Learn what to look for in Succesful Boxers

**Rantcatrat** · 04-22-2011 07:19 PM

Originally Posted by marbleheadmaui

OK you asked what to look for in a technically sound fighter. The most obvious recent example of a classic style of the highest level is Ricardo Lopez. Simply a technical master. It's easy BTW to look good against a stiff. The question is can one execute against a real challenge?

What to look for in the following video

1. Who is controlling distance, Lopez or Sorjaturong (who was a GREAT fighter BTW)
2. Who is initiating the action and location of the action?
3. Watch how Lopez steps (small step) with every punch. Are small steps always good? Is it not good to take big steps? When is it good to take big steps? Are your feet supposed to be always shoulder length apart?
4. Watch how Lopez changes the height of his head regularly to make it harder to hit. That is a good example of head movement? Head movement can be beat by timing and reflexives right?
5. Watch how Lopez is CONSTANTLY changing his angle relative to Sorjaturong, he is almost never head to head and stationary there.
6. Is Lopez ever off balance?
7. Lopez's jab and cross are straight and his hooks are short Short punches are always better right? Don't want to push punches or, the opposite, extend too much?
8. His chin is tucked behind his left shoulder and hard to get to Saw that.
9. He punches in combination and steps with each punch.
10. Lopez finishes each punch on his toes, maximizing torque and power. So, being flat footed doesn't get you as much power?

THANKS so much. I was planning on sending you a private message, but thought the discussion may be better in public for everyone. I appreciate it. I had a couple questions in bold next to your points.

**marbleheadmaui** · 04-22-2011 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by Rantcatrat

Originally Posted by marbleheadmaui

OK you asked what to look for in a technically sound fighter. The most obvious recent example of a classic style of the highest level is Ricardo Lopez. Simply a technical master. It's easy BTW to look good against a stiff. The question is can one execute against a real challenge?

What to look for in the following video

1. Who is controlling distance, Lopez or Sorjaturong (who was a GREAT fighter BTW)
2. Who is initiating the action and location of the action?
3. Watch how Lopez steps (small step) with every punch. Are small steps always good? Is it not good to take big steps? When is it good to take big steps? Are your feet supposed to be always shoulder length apart?
4. Watch how Lopez changes the height of his head regularly to make it harder to hit. That is a good example of head movement? Head movement can be beat by timing and reflexives right?
5. Watch how Lopez is CONSTANTLY changing his angle relative to Sorjaturong, he is almost never head to head and stationary there.
6. Is Lopez ever off balance?
7. Lopez's jab and cross are straight and his hooks are short Short punches are always better right? Don't want to push punches or, the opposite, extend too much?
8. His chin is tucked behind his left shoulder and hard to get to Saw that.
9. He punches in combination and steps with each punch.
10. Lopez finishes each punch on his toes, maximizing torque and power. So, being flat footed doesn't get you as much power?

THANKS so much. I was planning on sending you a private message, but thought the discussion may be better in public for everyone. I appreciate it. I had a couple questions in bold next to your points.

1. Big steps are almost NEVER good. The reason is they often don't leave one with anyplace else to go and they take longer. That split second of longer time gives the other guy time to move, punch etc. Shoulder width (more or less) is always a good idea because you can go in any direction from there. Now as you step you'll get a little wider and as you bring your back foot tou'll close up to that again. But keep'em short!
2. There are more extreme examples of head movement than Lopez and yes it can be reflex driven...but what happens when your reflexes go? You are better off always moving your head so you get used to it and not relying on reflexes.
3. What you want is for your punches to land at the point of maximum power. THAT is one reason why distance control is so important. In general straight is better than looping and hooks and uppercuts need to be tight and not reaching.
4. There is a difference between being flat-footed and "sitting down" on one's punches. If you are truly flat footed, you can't rotate your hips to maximize power and it's harder to step to a new angle for the next punch so the guy doesn't know where it is coming from. "Sitting down" means essentailly doing two things, lowering your center of gravity just a bit (so you do sacrifice a little mobility for more power) and really grabbing the canvas with your toes to use it to turn.

**marbleheadmaui** · 04-22-2011 07:34 PM

Good defensive posture (in no order)

1. Head canted slightly and angled slightly. Head straight up and even between shoulders is bad news.
2. Weight mostly on back foot keeping head far from foes punches. On both toes so able to move in any direction. Left shoulder should be slightly higher than right (orthodox)
3. Hands held high, left protecting chin.
4. Feet roughly shoulder width apart

Oh hell watch Floyd Mayweather, James Toney or BHOP on this one.

**marbleheadmaui** · 04-22-2011 07:39 PM

Transitioning from defense to offense. This one is near magic. What I mean is this isn't just physical but it requires proper physical technique. One must have impeccable balance, have one's hands in the right spot and maybe most importantly be at the right distance to act quickly. But what this really requires is a sublime understanding of what is happening in the ring, what your opponent is doing, anticipating what he will do next and acting BEFORE he does it. This is mostly a mental element.

Few have ever done it better than Salvador Sanchez.

**marbleheadmaui** · 04-22-2011 07:48 PM

Squaring up and fighting from angles.

Squaring up means presenting your chest to the other guy. Bad news because it gives him the biggest possible target and it means your hips have already rotated taking your power. Bad news.

Fighting from angles means not standing head to head with the other guy. If you saw the Cotto-Manny P. fight remember how Manny was standing off to Cotto's side when landing punches? THAT is what fighting from angles means.

The simple way to understand this is if i stant head to head with you and don't move? You know two things. Where every punch is coming from and where I am to hit me. If after I throw a 1-2 I step six inches to my right? Now a) you have to find me again to hit me as my head is now opposite your lwft shoulder and b) my punches from both hands are going to come from different places and you have to find those too to avoid them.

Just little side steps between punches and everything changes. Few have ever done this better than Roberto Duran.