Quote Originally Posted by Rantcatrat View Post
Quote Originally Posted by marbleheadmaui View Post
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.