The all things technical thread.

I think even though Wlad is better technically in a lot of ways. What Vitali does better is he gives you a turn and a different look. Wlad tends to go in straighter lines, while Vitali stands off centre. He also fights tall extremely well and is very awkward which makes him hard to find. Along with being tougher and MUCH stronger on the inside and mentally. I'm a fan of both brothers.

 

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR-kuFNSXrA[/ame]



And for left hooks to the body check out Ruben Olivares.

 

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBBiQx8bMDU[/ame]


I've watched as much footage of Ray Robinson training as possible and i always notice how simple his training routines were. Nothing convoluted or complex. He thrived on the basics and then doing his calisthetics. Notice how much he's working the bags in his workouts and he never used pads. Oh and no one jumped rope like he did. He even works his pivots and turning on the toes when he was skipping.

 

There is the argument that if they'd been available then they would've used them, but many old school trainers and fighters were not fans of using them even when they became available. They believed it had limited teaching potential and didn't encourage a fighter to be imaginative and instinctive. They can be a bit smoke and mirrors if the trainer doesn't know what to look out for and correct. Some people can look great on the pads when in fact it's not really doing much for them.

Pads have their place, they're very important and everyone should do them. But they should be a supplement and not a substitute. I think overusing the pads is not good and it does encourage some flaws like poor punching technique, pitter patter punching etc. Much of the stuff you get from the pads you'll get the same and more from working the variety of bags, plus you'll develope your power. Some trainers don't get their fighters to follow through the target with pads for example. Manny Steward is the one who probabily uses it the best, no wonder he has a reputation for working with punchers. He's another trainer who isn't THAT big a fan of the pads if they're not used in a certain way. Nacho Beristein is another great trainer who doesn't particularly like them. Think of some of the things his fighters are known for...

The pads/mitts are great. But just think about this. They're meant to get you improving things like your combination punching, right? Well the greatest combination punchers in the history of the game NEVER used them. That's not an argument for ditching the pads, but it's at least some food for thought i think.

 

:good

Spit some of that knowledge, Lunny.

 

'If used properly' being the operative words i think. You only have to see what Roach has done with Pacquaio on the mitts to realise how effective they can be. Getting him to spin out properly etc. But i think a lot of trainers play patta with pads. They don't know how to get the best out of it.

I like the freestyle approach to padwork, where the trainer lets the fighter throw the punches HE wants. Not what he's instructed to throw. That can make the fighter a little robotic. The other way encourages the fighter to THINK and not just be reactive but be proactive.

Padwork can be a little like microwave popcorn. They're portable and trainers can be a little lazy in just getting them out neglecting other things.

I don't wanna sound like i'm against using the pads. But it's interesting that there's never been a time when they've been used as much as they are now, and there has never been a time when technical refinement, combination punching and knockout punchers have been at such a premium.