[GIF] Corbett slips and blocks a big 2 punch combo from Fitzsimmons (Stabalized)

Seriously...why did Corbett always wear those frankly gay ass shorts?

 

One thing apparent in watching Corbett is his excellent judge of distance. That comes from hours in the ring. And tho he didn't have a high number of fights (tho numbers do vary) he was a trainer for quite a long time.

 

He doesn't slip it. He leans back without balance to counter. The "block" is more of a parry and too sloppy to counter from.

 

Since Fitz holds both hands low, this is excellent opportunities for countering. Corbett's could roll or block the right and come back with his own. Perhaps he could even roll under and come back with his left.

He has more or less the same options (but reverse) countering the left hook.

I appreciate the gif, but if it's meant as an example of old timers refined technique...

 

He was in perfect position to block the right and shoot back his own right. That would have been very effective since Fitz overbalanced with his right, had his left low and his chin hanging freely. But he could also roll the right or toll under it. He if there hade come a left afterwards he could have treated it the same as long as he dealt with the first situation correctly.

Both does more or less what you're taught not to do. Corbett's awareness in this clip is good, his technique isn't. Same for Fitz. To lead with a winging right, especially as exposed as he is, is very dangerous. He does the right thing to follow up with the left, since Corbett's defensive maneuver has left him unable to counter, but he's too exposed when throwing it.

Imagine Fitz' right targeting Toney with that right... James would have popped him 10 times out of of 10.

 

https://media.giphy.com/media/WaILJGaWFZsYw/giphy.gif

My poor attempt at a GIF .

But this is true boxing masterclass to me. Mike slips Toney's jab and counters with a left hook since James's right is low. Toney pulls his head back out of the way but still keeps his balance so he can shoot a right straight back over Mike's low left. It lands, but Mike rides with it and takes enough steam off to counter with his own right. Toney shoulder rolls that one and shoots another right, which Mike ducks under. After ducking Mike is still in position to throw his left hook, which he does right after this slow-mo ends.

These two are also a bit sloppy with how they hold their hands, but they are ready to ride, roll or duck anything that comes in and almost always keep their balance to counter off of any defensive maneuver they make.

 

Standard practice in boxing is that you should always be able to counter off of any defensive maneuver. It's not easy but the standard. Corbett's balance and moves are too poor for him counter. I think Fitz offense is signalled and open, so there's plenty of opportunity.

If he shoots back a straight right counter, either after blocking or rolling, it will reach Fitz before Fitz hook reaches him. Seeing how roundhouse the right is, Corbet would perhaps be better off rolling under it and coming back with a left hook. Either way he beats Fitz to the punch. And if his left is up, as it should be, he he's covered anyhow.

They both look poor in this clip. Has nothing to with the quality of the film. Just their relative lack of balance and form.

This is so patently obvious to me that I'm always puzzled by these discussions.

 

Og course Corbett could block that punch without being hurt, much less KO'd. Fitz is overbalanced and takes a half step forward. It's a poor winging punch.

This discussion is a bit unreal to me. You box, surely your trainers wouldn't let you get away with doing the things they are doing in this clip? No guard, chin high, leaning back with poor balance, parrying by shooting both hands in front of you? These few second are riddled with "don'ts".

And, yes, you can find sections with "don'ts" in Toney-McCallum as well. But those wouldn't be used as examples of top technique.

A trainer that uses this clip to say to his students "this is how you should do it" shouldn't be a trainer. For me the technical flaws jump off the screen. This is what I have to say about this.

 

Wow....does anyone realize what Rez just found and showed all of us? In my lifetime the first time the Fitzsimmons "shift" was shown by the master himself. Note the right swing, the quick shift to southpaw stance and followed by the killer left hook....this time to the head.

Everyone should watch that clip again and again. It's probably the most important film clip ever shown on these boards. True boxing history no longer lost in time.