I think Marciano had the best head control as an inside fighter that I can think of. I was watching Marciano vs. Louis, and noticed him using a tactic that Golovkin was teaching to Barrera. This content is protected https://streamable.com/qdjv Thought it was pretty cool!
This is predic This is predicated on a fighter being appreciably shorter than his opponent.If Marciano fought Tua it would not be half as effective,imo.
Yeah, which is why I think people underestimate the advantages Rocky was able to get out of being the shorter fighter usually. With Tua, I think Rocky wouldn't be smothering much on the inside. He would probably be stepping in and out, looking for counters and openings for leads.
Cool Video Rez. Head control and the clinch in general is something badly misunderstood by a lot of boxing fans. Many coaches don't teach it and even fewer drill it, but it's great for both controlling your opponent and to land punches. Most of my knowledge came from my MMA training where the clinch is treated as a vital part of the sport. Most of it translates and it's helped me immensely when dealing with inside fighters.
So now "head control" is the politically correct phrase to describe "head butting". Ok, I get it. This weekend Andre Ward will be using "head control" vs Kovalev.
You are the guy I was talking about above. The difference between butting and head control is distance. Smashing someone from a foot away with your head is an obvious foul. But if you are fighting a guy on the inside, already resting your head on their shoulder a turn into your opponents head means you can control not only the punches they can hit you with, but even push your opponent around since it's impossible to turn you head through your opponents. Meaning you limit their options for movement, all while their is no threat of a clash of heads that cause cuts and swelling unless your opponent pulls his head back and butts you. Some boxing fans don't know **** about the clinch.
some knowledgeable fans don't know **** about the rules. clinching is holding. Whilst fighters will always "come together" holding is not allowed. However, confusion arises when a referee often allows the fighters oppertunties to work their way out with legal punches (knuckle part of the glove, target area sufficient force). this is all that can be officially permitted. This "head control", obviously not a butt, whilst useful, can only technically be permitted on the refs blind side. same with arm pull turns, heeling, pivot bows, rabbit punching and any amount of other illegal moves. each of them offer excellent advantages in gaining the upper hand from close range but never tolerated in view of the ref.
Head positioning. The best at head positioning are usually the best at headbutting. Headbutts are often a "defensive necessity", certainly for an aggressive fighter. You come in with the head positioned to do damage or you're likely to get on the wrong end of the butt yourself. Marciano was a serious headbutter, no one cany deny.