The all things technical thread.

Sounds bleak. :-(

 

One of my favourite recent fights to look at and ponder over is the Hopkins/Pascal fights. As far as technique and skill overcoming athleticism is concerned. Technical ability stays true and shows over time. Hopkins is amazing bacause he can concentrate for long periods where others break down mentally and physically in a gradual process. Someone like Hopkins stays consistant because the fundamentals stay true and on form.

One of the things i noticed was that Hopkins was staying on Pascals movements and directions. And his toes. Meaning he would consistantly position his foot outside of Pascal's left foot. Allowing him to cut the ring off effectively and set up his punches and also avoid Pascals bumrushes and ambush attempts.

Early on when Pascal has all the reflexes and athleticism because he's fresh he has the advantage and Hopkins' technique doesn't look effective yet, but as the fight goes on Pascal starts to turn slightly slower to his left to get a more clear square on view of Hopkins. This allows Hopkins to walk him on to that right hand he so brilliently throws with such timing. Hopkins burns him out by just being technically correct.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Tf_0MHR5pg&feature=related[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFaMZD4nXCs[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkAwR1DeG0Y&feature=related[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stQDaAfk36k[/ame]

 

I don't think it's so much as them not fighting enough, Luke (that's more of a problem in the pro ranks). It's more of a problem of what's being encouraged and what's not. The amateur system the way it is. There's more emphasis on a certain style then anything. There's little point for example in teaching a kid to fight in the pocket because that's not ganna win him tournaments. Amateur boxing encourages flaws like circling wide to become habitual. There's more emphasis on using your feet as your first line of defense than rolling with punches properly and so on. There's probably never been a time when so many fighters relied on their feet for their defense so exclusively and that's partly to do with the amateurs. Someone like James Toney for example would struggle in the amateur game the way it is because of preference for that tippy tappy style of fighting. Your talent is basically the end product, not your skill.

 

Even Ray Robinson wasn't perfect, Jeffro. :good

 

I don't know if it's right but i was always told to look at the chest area and upper body movements. Like you say and Donaire showed on that vid it's better to keep your eyes on everything and see what you can pick up. I've also seen coaches telling kids to look at specific areas like the feet and you'll see the kid dropping his head and looking down too much. Although the feet can give you hints undoubtedly. But a fighter should be watching EVERYTHING.

I think the reasoning behind looking at the chest is that's where a lot of muscle movements can be picked up before things happen. That's where the hint of whats happening as regards to the shoulders and head accurs and you're also keeping an eye on the hands which will normally be held near there.

It raises an interesting question though. Sometimes it's difficult to keep an eye on everything. But the objective should be to at least NEVER lose sight of the opponent. For me the thing that a fighter should be looking out for is those hints that fighters give off. Hints like when they're about to throw a punch which most fighters don't conceal that well. You see guys raising their shoulder before throwing a punch for example.

 

Will try and do that later on, mate. :good

No access to Utube at the minute.

 

Btw Jeff. Have you ever thought of going into training fighters? I know a couple of lads on here are thinking of going into training and thinking of how to go about doing it. Would you have any advise? The poster 'Gooners' is currently training one of his kids.