rhythm

[Yuzo]

what role does rhythm have in boxing?

[Master]

I am sure Manny Steward got the best out of Evander Holyfield when he started moving, throwing punches and blocking to a rhythm. Think it was in the second fight against Bowe.

[StrictlySP]

Hi Yuzo,
That's a pretty broad question you've asked. Anyway, below is one avenue of thought on this subject.

Generally speaking (as there are many specific aspects to it), a "rhythm," your synergistic rhythm with your opponent, is established once you have gotten a good feel for your opponent's "style," for his tendencies, and for his timing. It's "on" when your distance control, timing, and responsiveness to him are flowing freely "in the zone." Depending on what type and caliber of fighter you are and the type and caliber of your opponent, this rhythm of feel and flow can take one or two rounds, or even more to happen. For a nice recent example of rhythm in action progressively developing round-by-round, check out Vasily Lomachenko's last fight, which was against Jose Pedraza (who was a formidable opponent). It took Loma a little while to firmly find his rhythm, but once he did, he exerted pure dominance over Pedraza.

Another fighter to check out in this regard (and in so many other aspects of boxing) is Terence Crawford. It's a thing of beauty to watch Crawford systematically (in relative terms) figure his opponent out, establish his "rhythm," then take him out.

Well, I hope this helps you out a bit.

Take Care,
Lito

[Yuzo]

whenever a punch is thrown snap your fingers.



these punches are thrown in a staccato rhythm. punches that are thrown in a staccato rhythm are disconnected and emerge as a sudden movement from a dead stop to a dead stop.



these punches are thrown in a legato rhythm. punches that are thrown in a legato rhythm are connected and emerge as movement from movement.

punches thrown in a staccato rhythm are hard and fixed. punches thrown in a legato rhythm are dynamic. they can slow down or they can speed up. they can be adjusted and then readjusted. each punch morphing into the next punch.

now say you and i are boxing. i am throwing a jab and you want to counter it.

whenever a punch is thrown snap your fingers.



i am throwing a staccato jab. to counter it, you need to wait for your cue, which is, in this case, a sudden twitch in my chest and shoulder.



i am throwing a legato jab. to counter it, you need to wait for your cue, which is, in this case, unknown. a legato jab can slow down or speed up at any point. it can extend or retract at any point. it can be adjusted and then readjusted at any point. each jab morphing into the next jab at any point.

here are three jabs.



the first two jabs are identical. they come out and come back in the same exact pattern. the third jab is identical, it will come out in the same exact pattern, that is, until it reaches the top, where it will pause slightly, and a right hand will suddenly replace it.

a dilemma is now created. whenever a jab reaches the top and pauses slightly, will it simply return back, or will a right hand suddenly replace it? whats more, whenever a jab is thrown in an identical pattern, is it leading up again to this dilemma, or, is it leading up to a different dilemma which is unknown to you, because to be locked into one rhythm, is to be locked out of another.

what i have been driving at, or trying to anyway, is that the jab is not actually a punch at all but a rhythmic pattern. each jab representing notes combining into a rhythm which will then guide a man into its rhythm. once in this rhythm, a man is locked into it, becoming just another part of the rhythm also. he is, like your rhythm is, under your control.

rhythm in boxing is a guide. you don't fight your opponent. you guide him.

[Yuzo]

two guys throw a jab. when one guy jabs, the other guy jabs. they are in a rhythm.



when one guy jabs, the other guy jabs, but then one guy throws a counter right hand, following back the same jab he put into a rhythm.



the guy who gets hit is the guy who was still in the same rhythm and thus unaware of the counter right hand coming.

now say when two guys throw a jab, and one guy is throwing a counter right hand, the other guy, knowing this, throws a counter right hand to counter the counter right hand coming.



that is how boxing works. boxing is a rhythmic game of chance based on the ability to recognize and create new patterns which are perceived as a stream of constantly shifting and fluctuating rhythms. the jab creates a rhythm, a starting point, from which everything unfolds from. the jab, and perhaps every punch in boxing, should not really be thought of as a punch at all. the jab is arguably something more like a metronome than it is a punch. it creates a stabilized frame work, from which its user can manipulate and toy with everything that becomes housed within it. in other words, every punch, every slip, every parry, everything, can be absorbed into it, and controlled by it.

[p4pking]

Casual...