Boxing styles and technique

Throughout the history of gloved boxing styles, techniques and strategies have changed to varying degrees. Ring conditions, promoter demands, teaching techniques, and the influence of successful boxers are some of the reasons styles and strategies have fluctuated. One reason why research in this area is complex is because boxing itself is a complex endeavor where no person is psychologically, mentally, or physiologically exact. No era had strange holds on particular styles of boxing. Prevailing techniques of one era overlap into prevailing styles of another as well as coming full circle around.

James J. Corbett vs Peter Jackson, 1891.

Boxing styles

There are four generally accepted boxing styles that are used to define fighters. These are the swarmer, out-boxer, slugger, and boxer-puncher. Many boxers do not always fit into these categories, and it's not uncommon for a fighter to change their style over a period of time.

The Swarmer

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Henry Armstrong (Swarmer)

The swarmer (also crowder, in-fighter) is a fighter who attempts to overwhelm his opponent by applying constant pressure. Swarmers tend to have a very good bob and weave, good power, a good chin, and a tremendous punch output (resulting in a great need for stamina and conditioning). Boxers who use the swarmer style tend to have shorter careers than boxers of other styles. Sustaining the adequate amount of training required to execute this style is nearly impossible throughout an entire career, so most swarmers can only maintain it for a relatively brief period of time. This inevitably leads to the gradual degradation of the sheer ability to perform the style, leaving him open to increasing amounts of punishment. This style favors closing inside an opponent, overwhelming them with intensity and flurries of hooks and uppercuts. They tend to be fast on their feet, which can make them difficult to evade for a slower fighter. They also tend to have a good "chin" because this style usually involves being hit with many jabs before they can maneuver inside where they are more effective. Many swarmers are often either shorter fighters or fighters with shorter reaches, especially in the heavier classes, that have to get in close to be effective. Tommy Burns was the shortest Heavyweight champion at 5'7, while Rocky Marciano had the reach at 67-68 inches. However, heavyweight Jack Dempsey (a modern cruiserweight in size) at nearly 6'1 in. tall with a 77 in. reach was an exception to the rule. Though swarmer's can sometimes display high boxing skills, they are primarily brawlers who often use brute power and aggression to win over fights. Many swarmer's rank with sluggers and boxer-punchers as some of the greatest all-time punchers. Famous swarmer's include Henry Armstrong, Harry Greb, Jimmy Wilde, Mickey Walker, Jack Dempsey, Julio Cesar Chavez, Rocky Marciano, Aaron Pryor, Kid Gavilan, Jake LaMotta, Emile Griffith, Battling Nelson, Fighting Harada, Carmen Basilio, Mike Tyson, Manny Pacquiao, Joe Frazier, Floyd Patterson, Tommy Burns, Joe Calzaghe, Gene Fullmer, Melio Bettina, Tom Sharkey, Bobo Olson, Ricky Hatton, David Tua, Steve Collins, Nigel Benn, Micky Ward, and Antonio Margarito.

The Out-Boxer

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Muhammad Ali (Out-Boxer)

The out-boxer (also out-fighter, pure boxer, boxer) is the opposite of the Boxer-Puncher. The out-boxer seeks to maintain that gap and fight with faster, longer range punches. Out-boxers are known for being extremely quick on their feet, which often makes up for a lack of power. Since they rely on the weaker jabs and straights (as opposed to hooks and uppercuts), they tend to win by points decisions rather than by knockout, although some out-boxers can be aggressive and effective like Kenny Leonard, Gene Tunney, Muhammad Ali, and Larry Holmes have many notable knockouts, but usually preferred to wear down their opponents and outclass them rather than just knock them out. Notable out-boxers include Benny Leonard, Muhammad Ali, Willie Pep, Gene Tunney, Ezzard Charles, Pernell Whitaker, George Dixon, Barney Ross, Tommy Loughran, Kid Chocolate, Larry Holmes, Billy Conn, Jack Johnson, Philadelphia Jack O'Brien, James J. Corbett, Lou Ambers, Tommy Gibbons, Jack Blackburn, Tiger Flowers, Wilfred Benitez, Harold Johnson, Ken Overlin, Maxie Rosenbloom, Jersey Joe Walcott, Mike Gibbons, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Joey Maxim, Junior Jones, Chris Eubank, and Winky Wright.

The Slugger

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Rocky Graziano (Slugger)

If the out-boxer represents everything classy about boxing, the slugger (also brawler) often stands for everything that's brutal in the sport. A lot of sluggers tend to lack finesse in the ring, but make up for it in raw power, often able to knock almost any opponent out with a single punch. This ability makes them exciting to watch, and their fights unpredictable. Most sluggers lack mobility in the ring and may have difficulty pursuing fighters who are fast on their feet. They usually throw the harder, slower punches (mostly hooks and punches) than swarmers or boxers and tend to ignore combination punching. Sluggers often will throw predictable punching patterns (single punches with obvious leads) often leaves them open for counterpunching. Sluggers can also be fast and unpredictable fighters, such as the case with Terry McGovern, Stanley Ketchel, and Rocky Graziano. While sluggers are normally considered the most crude boxers, middleweight Bob Fitzsimmons was considered by many boxing historians to be highly clever and scientific in his slugging techniques. Heavyweights like Max Schmeling and Vitali Klitschko are examples of a sluggers who prefer to counter-punch as opposed to just engaging in all-out brawls. Because of their similar brawling tactics, swarmers and sluggers are often confused with each other, and many fighters may fit into either category. Famous sluggers include Bob Fitzsimmons, Terry McGovern, George Foreman, Stanley Ketchel, Joe Walcott, Wilfredo Gomez, Bob Foster, Ruben Olivares, Sonny Liston, Max Schmeling, Riddick Bowe, John L. Sullivan, Lew Jenkins, James J. Jeffries, Ceferino Garcia, Ingemar Johansson, Rocky Graziano, Naseem Hamed, Shane Mosley, Freddie Mills, Bruce Woodcock, Arturo Gatti, Ron Lyle, Paul Berlenbach, Vitali Klitschko, Al Hostak, Max Baer, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, and Cleveland Williams.

The Boxer-Puncher

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Sugar Ray Robinson (Boxer-Puncher)

The last category 'boxer-puncher' is a hybrid style used to describe fighters who possess good all-around boxing/punching skills and capabilities. They possess the technical skill and grace of an out-boxer and also the devastating power of a slugger. Boxer-punchers usually do well against out-boxers, especially if they can match their speed and mobility. Their only downfall are the big sluggers because once again, it only takes one punch and the lights are out. This would depend on the boxer-puncher's defense, chin, and mobility. They make for interesting fights and throw a sense of the unknown into some. Where a boxer-puncher is matched up against a out-boxer, the fight is great because depending on the style the boxer-puncher tries to use in the fight. Boxer-punchers are often hard to categorize since they can either be closer in style to a slugger or a boxer. Notable boxer-punchers include Sugar Ray Robinson, Joe Gans, Sam Langford, Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Leonard, Sandy Saddler, Thomas Hearns, Alexis Arguello, Carlos Monzon, Eder Jofre, Marvin Hagler, Archie Moore, Tony Canzoneri, Charley Burley, Jose Napoles, Ricardo Lopez, Evander Holyfield, Michael Spinks, Freddie Steele, Roy Jones Jr., Ike Williams, Lennox Lewis, Tony Zale, Felix Trinidad, Marcel Cerdan, Marco Antonio Barrera, Wladimir Klitschko, Oscar De La Hoya, Erik Morales and Roberto Duran.

Other Styles and Sub-Categories:

• Counterpuncher-a sub-category where a boxer decides to utilize techniques that require the opposing boxer to make a mistake, and then capitalizing on that mistake. Lone jabs of the opposing fighter that miss are often met with swift jabs or quick combinations. For these reasons this form of boxing balances defense and offense but can lead to severe damage if the boxer who utilizes this technique has bad reflexes or isn't quick enough. While swarmers do sometimes counterpunch, it normally doesn't fit in with their more aggressive crowding tactics. Notable counterpuncher's are Sugar Ray Robinson, Joe Gans, Benny Leonard, Muhammad Ali, Willie Pep, Sugar Ray Leonard, Archie Moore, Bernard Hopkins, Jack Johnson, Ricardo Lopez, Charley Burley, Dick Tiger, Salvador Sanchez, Jersey Joe Walcott, Floyd Mayweather Jr., James Toney, Max Schmeling, Vitali Klitschko, Jerry Quarry, Juan Manuel Márquez, Adrien Broner, and Andre Berto.

• Southpaw-a boxer that fights at a left-handed fighting stance as opposed to an othodox fighter who fights right-handed. Orthodox fighters lead and jab from their left side, and southpaw fighters will jab and lead from their right side. Orthodox fighters also hook more with their left and cross more with their right, and vice versa for southpaw fighters. Some naturally right-handed fighters (such as Marvin Hagler and Michael Moorer) have converted to southpaw in the past to offset their opponents. In the Rocky (film series), Rocky Balboa and Clubber Lang are southpaws, as well as Mason Dixon who is played by actual light-heavyweight southpaw Antonio Tarver. Famous southpaws include Tiger Flowers, Melio Bettina, Marvin Hagler, Pernell Whitaker, Michael Moorer, Winky Wright, Antonio Tarver, Zab Judah, Naseem Hamed, Ruslan Chagaev, and Manny Pacquiao.

Rock, Paper, Scissors

There is a commonly accepted theory about the success each of these boxing styles has against the others. The general rule is similar to the game Rock, Paper, Scissors - each boxing style has advantages over one, but disadvantages against the other. A famous cliché amongst boxing fans and writers is "styles make fights".

Brawlers tend to overcome in-fighters, because the in-fighter likes to be on the inside, where the hard-hitting brawler is most effective. The in-fighter's flurries tend to be less effective than the power punches of the slugger, who quickly overwhelms his opponents. Famous examples of this are George Foreman defeating Joe Frazier and Ingemar Johansson defeating Floyd Patterson.

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Slugger/Brawler Ingemar Johansson knocks out Swarmer/In-Fighter Floyd Patterson, 1959.

If the in-fighter is a 'meatbag' for the brawler, they tend to succeed against out-fighters. Out-fighters prefer a slower fight, with some distance between themselves and the opponent. The in-fighter tries to close that gap and unleash furious flurries. On the inside, the out-fighter loses a lot of his combat effectiveness, because he cannot throw the hard punches. The in-fighter is generally successful in this case, due to his intensity in advancing on his opponent and his good agility, which makes him difficult to evade. An example of this type of fight is the first fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, the Fight of the Century.

The out-fighter tends to be most successful against the brawler, whose slow speed (both hand and foot) and poor technique make them an easy target to hit for the faster out-fighter. The out-fighter's main key is to stay alert, as the brawler only needs to land one good punch to finish the fight. If the out-fighter can avoid those power punches, he can often wear the brawler down with fast jabs, tiring the slugger out. If he is successful enough, he may even apply extra pressure in the later rounds in an attempt to achieve a knockout.

Hybrid boxers tend to be the most successful in the ring, because they often have advantages against most opponents. Pre-prison Mike Tyson, an overwhelming in-fighter with his tremendous power was also able to use his in-fighting footspeed to close in on and knock out many out-fighters who tried to stay out of his range, such as Michael Spinks. Muhammad Ali's speed kept him away from hard hitters like Sonny Liston and George Foreman, but his strong chin allowed him to go the distance with Joe Frazier.

Equipment and Technique

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Headgear is mandatory in amateur and Olympic boxing.

Boxing techniques utilize very forceful strikes with the hand. There are many bones in the hand, and striking surfaces without proper technique can cause serious hand injuries. Today, most trainers do not allow boxers to train and spar without hand/wrist wraps and gloves. Handwraps are used to secure the bones in the hand, and the gloves are used to protect the hands from blunt injury, allowing boxers to throw punches with more force than if they did not utilize them. Headgear, used in amateur boxing, protects against cuts, scrapes, and swelling, but does not protect very well against concussions. Headgear does not sufficiently protect the brain from the jarring that occurs when the head is struck with great force. Also, most boxers aim for the chin on opponents, and the chin is usually not padded. Thus, a powerpunch can do a lot of damage to a boxer, and even a jab that connects to the chin can cause damage, regardless of whether or not headgear is being utilized.

The modern boxing stance is a reflection of the current system of rules employed by professional boxing. It differs in many ways from the typical boxing stances of the 19th and early 20th centuries. A right-handed boxer stands with the legs shoulder-width apart with the right foot a half-step behind the left foot. The left (lead) fist is held vertically about six inches in front of the face at eye level. The right (rear) fist is held beside the chin and the elbow tucked against the ribcage to protect the body. The chin is tucked into the chest to avoid punches to the jaw which commonly cause knock-outs. Southpaw boxers use the same stance, but with the right and left reversed. Modern boxers can sometimes be seen "tapping" their cheeks or foreheads with their fists in order to remind themselves to keep their hands up (which becomes difficult during long bouts). Modern boxers are taught to "push off" with their feet in order to move effectively. Forward motion involves lifting the lead leg and pushing with the rear leg. Rearward motion involves lifting the rear leg and pushing with the lead leg. During lateral motion the leg in the direction of the movement moves first while the opposite leg provides the force needed to move the body. Also the shoulder thrown forward fast enough can create enough force to knock someone clean off their feet.

Punches

James J. Corbett training on a punching bag, 1900.

There are four basic punches in boxing: the Jab, Cross, Hook, and Uppercut. If a boxer is right-handed, his left hand is the lead hand, his right hand is the rear hand. The following techniques apply to a right-handed boxer. As stated previously, a right-handed boxer is commonly described as orthodox, while a left-handed boxer is called an unorthodox boxer or a southpaw.

• Jab - A quick, straight punch thrown with the lead hand from the guard position. The jab is accompanied by a small, clockwise rotation of the torso and hips, while the fist rotates 90 degrees, becoming horizontal upon impact. As the punch reaches full extension, the lead shoulder is brought up to guard the chin. The rear hand remains next to the face to guard the jaw. After making contact with the target, the lead hand is retracted quickly to resume a guard position in front of the face. The jab is the most important punch in a boxer's arsenal because it provides a fair amount of its own cover and it leaves the least amount of space for a counterpunch from the opponent. It has the longest reach of any punch and does not require commitment or large weight transfers. Due to its relatively weak power, the jab is often used as a tool to gauge distances, probe an opponent's defenses, and set up heavier, more powerful punches. A half-step may be added, moving the entire body into the punch, for additional power. Despite its lack of raw power however, the jab is often considered to be the most important punch in boxing, usable not only for attack but also defense, as a good quick, stiff jab can interrupt a much more powerful punch, such as a hook or uppercut.

• Cross - A powerful straight punch thrown with the rear hand. From the guard position, the rear hand is thrown from the chin, crossing the body and traveling towards the target in a straight line. The rear shoulder is thrust forward and finishes just touching the outside of the chin. At the same time, the lead hand is retracted and tucked against the face to protect the inside of the chin. For additional power, the torso and hips are rotated counter-clockwise as the cross is thrown. Weight is also transferred from the rear foot to the lead foot, resulting in the rear heel turning outwards as it acts as a fulcrum for the transfer of weight. Body rotation and the sudden weight transfer is what gives the cross its power. Like the jab, a half-step forward may be added. After the cross is thrown, the hand is retracted quickly and the guard position resumed. It can be used to counterpunch a jab, aiming for the opponent's head (or a counter to a cross aimed at the body) or to set up a hook. The cross can also follow a jab, creating the classic "one-two combo." The cross is also called a "straight" or "right." The cross has been widely disputed as one of the most powerful, if not the single most powerful punch in the boxer's arsenal.

• Hook - A semi-circular punch thrown with the lead hand to the side of the opponent's head. From the guard position, the elbow is drawn back with a horizontal fist (knuckles pointing forward) and the elbow bent. The rear hand is tucked firmly against the jaw to protect the chin. The torso and hips are rotated clockwise, propelling the fist through a tight, clockwise arc across the front of the body and connecting with the target. At the same time, the lead foot pivots clockwise, turning the left heel outwards. Upon contact, the hook's circular path ends abruptly and the lead hand is pulled quickly back into the guard position. A hook may also target the lower body (the classic Mexican hook to the liver) and this technique is sometimes called the "rip" to distinguish it from the conventional hook to the head. The hook may also be thrown with the rear hand.

• Uppercut - A vertical, rising punch thrown with the rear hand. From the guard position, the torso shifts slightly to the right, the rear hand drops below the level of the opponent's chest and the knees are bent slightly. From this position, the rear hand is thrust upwards in a rising arc towards the opponent's chin or torso. At the same time, the knees push upwards quickly and the torso and hips rotate counter-clockwise and the rear heel turns outward, mimicking the body movement of the cross. The strategic utility of the uppercut depends on its ability to "lift" the opponent's body, setting it off-balance for successive attacks. The right uppercut followed by a left hook is a powerful combination.

These different punching types can be combined to form 'combos', like a jab and cross combo. Nicknamed the one two combo, it is a really effective combination because the jab blinds the opponent and the cross is powerful enough to knock the opponent out.

Defense

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Henry Armstrong demonstrating defense at 1943 U.S. Army exhibition.

• Slip and/or Turn - Slipping (or turning) rotates the body slightly so that an incoming punch passes harmlessly next to the head. As the opponent's punch arrives, the boxer sharply rotates the hips and shoulders. This turns the chin sideways and allows the punch to "slip" past.

• Bob and Weave - Bobbing moves the head laterally and beneath an incoming punch. As the opponent's punch arrives, the boxer bends the legs quickly and simultaneously shifts the body either slightly right or left. Once the punch has been evaded, the boxer "weaves" back to an upright position, emerging on either the outside or inside of the opponent's still-extended arm. To move outside the opponent's extended arm is called "bobbing to the outside". To move inside the opponent's extended arm is called "bobbing to the inside".

• Parry/Block - Parrying or blocking uses the boxer's hands as defensive tools to deflect incoming attacks. As the opponent's punch arrives, the boxer delivers a sharp, lateral, open-handed blow to the opponent's wrist or forearm, redirecting the punch.

• The Cover-Up - Covering up is the last opportunity to avoid an incoming strike to an unprotected face or body. Generally speaking, the hands are held high to protect the head and chin and the forearms are tucked against the torso to impede body shots. When protecting the body, the boxer rotates the hips and lets incoming punches "roll" off the guard. To protect the head, the boxer presses both fists against the front of the face with the forearms parallel and facing outwards. This type of guard is weak against attacks from below.

• The Clinch - Clinching is a rough form of grappling and occurs when the distance between both fighters has closed and straight punches cannot be employed. In this situation, the boxer attempts to hold or "tie up" the opponent's hands so he is unable to throw hooks or uppercuts. To perform a clinch, the boxer loops both hands around the outside of the opponent's shoulders, scooping back under the forearms to grasp the opponent's arms tightly against his own body. In this position, the opponent's arms are pinned and cannot be used to attack. Clinching is a temporary match state and is quickly dissipated by the referee.

There are 3 main defensive positions (guards or styles) used in boxing:

- All fighters have their own variations to these styles. Some fighters may have their guard higher for more head protection while others have their guard lower to provide better protection against body punches. Many fighters don't strictly use a single position, but rather adapt to the situation when choosing a certain position to protect them.

• Peek-a-Boo is a defense style often used by a fighter where the hands are placed in front of the boxer's face, like in the babies' game of the same name. It offers extra protection to the face and makes it easier to jab the opponent's face. Peek-a-Boo boxing was developed by legendary trainer Cus D'Amato. Peek-a-Boo boxing utilizes relaxed hands with the forearms in front of the face and the fist at nose-eye level. Other unique features includes side to side head movements, bobbing, weaving and blind siding your opponent. The number system e.g. 3-2-3-Body-head-body or 3-3-2 Body-Body-head is drilled with the stationary dummy and on the bag until the fighter is able to punch by rapid combinations with what D'Amato called "bad intentions." The theory behind the style is that when combined with effective bobbing and weaving head movement, the fighter has a very strong defense and becomes more elusive, able to throw hooks and uppercuts with great effectiveness. Also it allows swift neck movements as well quick ducking's and bad returning damage, usually by rising uppercuts or even rising hooks. Since its a defense designed for close range fighting, it is mainly used by in-fighters (one exception is Ronald "Winky" Wright, who was mostly an out-fighter). Carl "Bobo" Olson was the first known champion to use this as a defense. Famous fighters who use the Peek-a-Boo style include Bobo Olson, Floyd Patterson, José Torres, Mike Tyson, and Winky Wright.

• Cross-armed - The forearms are placed on top of each other horizontally in front of the face with the glove of one arm being on the top of the elbow of the other arm. This style is greatly varied when the back hand (right for an orthodox fighter and left for a southpaw) rises vertically. This style is the most effective for reducing head damage. The only head punch that a fighter is susceptible to is a jab to the top of the head. The body is open, but most fighters who use this style bend and lean to protect the body, but while upright and unaltered the body is there to be hit. This position is very difficult to counterpunch from, but virtually eliminates all head damage. Fighters that use this defense include Archie Moore, Gene Fullmer, Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, and George Foreman (during the later part of his career).

• Philly Shell or Crab -This is actually a variation of the cross-arm defense. The lead arm (left for an orthodox fighter and right for a southpaw) is placed across the torso usually somewhere in between the belly button and chest and the lead hand rests on the opposite side of the fighter's torso. The back hand is placed on the side of the face (right side for orthodox fighters and left side for southpaws). The lead shoulder is brought in tight against the side of the face (left side for orthodox fighters and right side for southpaws). This style is used by fighters who like to counterpunch. To execute this guard a fighter must be very athletic and experienced. This style is so effective for counterpunching because it allows fighters to slip punches by rotating and dipping their upper body and causing blows to glance off the fighter. After the punch glances off, the fighter's back hand is in perfect position to hit their out-of-position opponent. The shoulder lean is used in this stance. To execute the shoulder lean a fighter rotates and ducks (to the right for orthodox fighters and to the left for southpaws) when their opponents punch is coming towards them and then rotates back towards their opponent while their opponent is bringing their hand back. The fighter will throw a punch with their back hand as they are rotating towards their undefended opponent. The weakness to this style is that when a fighter is stationary and not rotating they are open to be hit so a fighter must be athletic and well conditioned to effectively execute this style. To beat this style, fighters like to jab their opponents shoulder causing the shoulder and arm to be in pain and to demobilize that arm. Fighters that used this defense include Sugar Ray Robinson, Ken Norton (also used this defense), Pernell Whitaker, James Toney, and Floyd Mayweather Jr..

See also

• Boxing
• Chin
• Counterpunch
• Knockout
• Orthodox stance
• Peek-a-Boo
• Punch
• Punching power
• Southpaw stance

External links

• http://coxscorner.tripod.com/hunnicut1.html
• Different Boxing Stances at Livestrong
• http://how-to-box.com/content/boxing-styles-swarmer-slugger-boxer-boxer-puncher
• http://coxscorner.tripod.com/styles.html
• http://coxscorner.tripod.com/ibro_25.html
• http://coxscorner.tripod.com/divisional_ratings.html
• http://coxscorner.tripod.com/20heavyweights.html