Do you mix it up... or are you set in a specific "style" ???

Just look at Sugar Ray Robinson. He could fight every style.

 

Well you can't cut the ring off if there's no need to do it. If someone pressures you or is willing to stand in front of you then you either move around or stand and bang.

I understand your frustration because I had a similar problem. One of the gyms I trained in had guys who didn't use a lot of footwork and constantly wanted exchanges and to slug it out. On many occasions there were also multiple people sparring in the ring so it was hard to move laterally even if you wanted to that's why I guess those guys got those habits.

I'm a shorter heavyweight and had more of a pressure style of fighting, but at that particular gym I mostly sparred as an defensive outside fighter with evasive footwork, running, counterpunching etc. because it worked and made those guys problems.

The more styles you learn the better you overall boxing will be, especially on the lower level when you can easily surprise your opponents with mixing styles and using some of the more unorthodox things. You need to make the best out of circumstances so if you're more comfortable sparring like a defensive fighter with those particular guys then use this opportunity to improve that part of your boxing.

I think doing what you're comfortable with and focusing on improving those particular aspects is the way to go. It's much better than just saying I want to box like Julio Cesar Chavez and then forcing yourself into some style. The great thing about boxing is that it offers you so many different approaches and styles and you have to choose the one you lean to the most in some natural way.

 

From my experience i have learned that no matter what you will figure out your way of fighting weather its out boxing, in boxing, counter punching etc

do not abandon the one you are good at there is no absolutes in boxing you will figure out a way to beat every style with the one your good at. But don't abandon learning others make sure you practice them too because you may run into a fighter with the same skill as you and it will come down to who knows other methods of fighting better

 

I'm an infighter (stamina, short power punches, cutting the ring and well I'm not tall at all). However I've learned to close the distance not only by using classic head movement, waving to stay close with tight guard but also by using outboxing stance and quick footwork to surprise and avoiding more punches.

I think everyone has his/her own favorite style, but we need to improve the way to get in our comfort zone by mixing some other stances and movements to being able to adapt ourselves to different opponents and situations.. so evolve to dominate.

 

I believe you should adjust your style as to what will screw your opponent up the most. Im a first believer in styles make fights, so why wouldnt you want the stylistic edge?

If they want to get light on their toes and box? Apply pressure, out work them, cut off the ring, use head movement, double and triple jabs to get inside, work the body then the head. You are now pressuring a boxer

They get wise to that? They start trying to catch you heavy on the way in? Planting their feet? Now you turn those double and triple jabs into feints and counter their "counters", which will be easy to do, because their punches will have weight behind them, trying to catch you on the way in. You footwork moving in and out and left and right, his feet are planted yours arent. You are now boxing a counter-puncher

They get wise to that? Start noticing their heavy shots are falling short? Your opponent starts pressuring you, trying to make up the distance, stepping in with their shots. You should stand your ground, land heavy shots on him on his way in. Mix this up, with jumping on him RIGHT before he jumps on you.

You are now countering a pressure fighter

Id say learn those three arch types and develop a sense of when you do what. It is my current "style" if you will. I very much prefer it though... when they come at me.

 

I use plenty of different styles and try to switch it up in order to be unpredictable.

Sometimes I am imitating Joe Frazier/Mike Tyson on the inside, ripping hooks and uppercuts, other times I am doing my best slick defensive Jimmy Young impression, dancing away with a quick jab, creating counterpunching opportunities.

Regarding cutting off the ring, I do that quite a bit because my offense has really developed over the years and I've got really fast hands and good feet. once someone is hurt there's no reason to back off.

About fighting defensively, that Is usually my Inital style until I see what my.opponent Is about and what his mannerisms are like. If I get clipped with something that hurts me im more likely to use my jimmy young/andre ward style and start being a counter puncher again.

About fighting taller opponents, as you said there are ways to outbox taller fighters and seemlessly switch to a defensive style after firing a combination. I like to jab a lot with taller fighters like Tyson use to, in order to get inside. The idea is to get a combo off, pivot, and move laterally. stick and move. In and out. Dont overstay your welcome on the inside with a bigger/taller fighter or you may regret it.

 

Tough call for a beginner. You definitely want to hammer down a style that works for you and work out the kinks before you start branching out, because you will spread yourself thin and become a "jack of no trades"...but as you reach a higher level, falling into a rut can harm you when situations call for adaptation if a skilled opponent is able to scout your style and make their own adjustments...or present you from the jump with something you've never seen.

 

Why wouldn't you want to fight a taller fighter on the inside?

If a taller guy is lighter than you or around the same weight you want to fight inside, you have more advantages and can really butcher his body with bodyshots once you're experienced enough. You can also fire overhands.

I think the key thing when fighting a taller guy with reach advantage is that you're not intimidated/demoralized by his jab. You have to accept the fact that you're going to get hit and move forward.

And of course, you have to stay out of the range which suits him, that is the range where he can hit you and you can't hit him. You should either go inside or outside of that range but don't stand in front of a fighter with reach advantage.

 

You're absolutely right. My point is that if you are outgunned vs a bigger, taller, heavier fighter on the inside, you can get rocked and pushed around. For sure, it's good at times for shorter guys to work on the inside because they can maximize their leverage with shorter arms and work the body.

Yeah, I think jabbing with taller opponents isn't utilized enough.

 

You should vary your style based on what your opponent is doing.
Every opponent should bring a different strategy out of you.

 

I would agree with the above statement to an extent. Only having one "style" can make you one dimensional and predictable. The top boxers, be it amateur or professional, are able to adapt to what's in front of them. For example, if you're boxing a counter puncher, make sure you're punching in combinations and focusing more on a defensive move after each combo. Another example might be moving your head more and changing angles before closing the distance when fighting a taller opponent.

That being said, even Floyd Mayweather, who is famous for being able to adapt against his opponents, has a similar style during each fight. It's subtle changes in your strategy, rather than trying to completely change how you box. Use your strengths and take advantage of your opponents weaknesses.