Are the technical boxing skills of Jim Driscoll disgustingly archaic?

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Thoughts?

From my view, I am very impressed technically the more I watch of Driscoll (black trunks). His noted left is in effect here against Robson.

This is circa 1911. Please keep in mind that Driscoll is pretty shopworn here. This is one of his last bouts against a good opponent.

How do you evaluate Driscoll technically?

Why are the boxing skills of small men so much better than the heavier ones the further you go back?

Is he obsolete compared to a modern boxing world?

 

From 'The straight left and how to cultivate it' intro.


The Fencing and Boxing Maxim.

'Now, as most people are aware, the very first
principle of fencing is that the student must learn to“ keep the line.” For as long as he can contrive to preserve a straight wall of steel in a direct line from his shoulder down to his arm, so long will his body be impregnable to attack. The whole aim of attack in sword play is to get past this line, for until it is passed no point can be made. In earlier sword play, where a buckler, second sword, dagger or cloak was held in or wrapped round the left hand, there used to be a second line of defence, but it was always intended that the sword should be the principal barrier of protection, and it is, I believe, generally
admitted that the science of the sword never
approached perfection until the sword became the sole weapon of both attack and defence.'

 

He definitely looks good but it's hard to tell with the quality (or shall I say lack of) in the video. The speed of the footage is all wonky

 

He couldn't look good, back then they didn't know what a jab is!

 

I do wish the footage was against one of his best opponents like Attell or Moran.

Moran looks great against Nelson too.

 

To be honest, in films like this the low ability level and crude tactics of the opponents often make it kind of hard to compare guys like Driscoll to more recent fighters.

 

Not obsolete but there are some differences (especially if we're comparing him to the best of the best). I would have to watch more closely but the way he manages his weight distribution seems very different than the technique that modern fighters learn. Leans in and sometimes even falls in with his jab more than you would see with modern technicians, and from what I can tell he doesn't seem to reset his weight right away after he throws a lot of his lead punches. Which is part of the reason why his rights don't seem to have much on them, as he sometimes lifts or walks with his right foot while he's throwing them.

And as an aside, I think his defensive technique would be more difficult to get away with against top fighters today, but it certainly works for him against this guy.

 

I think he looks pretty good, to be honest.
I like how he draws a punch, steps back and counters with his right (Holyfield - Douglas?).
As you say, quality of opposition and film quality must be factored in.

 

He has a book called 'The straight left and how to cultivate it' which explains his techniques as he does, with images. It's a free pdf if you're interested and have the time.

 

Also, this is one of his last bouts, but I can't say if he'd look any better in his prime (no film). He certainly had a large boxing IQ though.

 

I think he looks fantastic.

 

What's your take on his technique in this clip? Does he look just like a modern boxer to you? Does he fight the way you've been taught to fight? Notice any differences?

 

From what I've seen in this clip, and how it corresponds to his book, is that it look like his hands, especially the right, are held in an odd position. I believe he holds the right this way in order to 'cross' it across his face and slide the jab away in a kind of parry, which he does show in the book. Sort of like Archie Moore, and it wasn't exclusive to Driscoll, Wilde etc also used to do it. It seems a very well known old British boxing technique, probably a remnant. This works much better with smaller gloves IMO than bigger ones, as you couldn't hold a solid 'high guard' with the the lack of surface area.

Having a higher guard nowadays is definitely more beneficial IMO, especially if your not good enough to pull off certain moves. Driscoll would definitely be open to a very schooled later swarmer IMO, even one as 'early' as Armstrong.

I wasn't taught initially to do anything like this, however I have been shown how to cross my arms at certain point for straight punches. Though it is much more like a Moore or Qawi than Driscoll. I don't use it much, it's more part of an active guard.

What I was most impressed with was Drsicolls foot movement and positioning. He generally keeps his weight and constantly shifts and slides into advantageous positions. A few times he seems to stumble, but I let that slide as I would with an otherwise well schooled modern boxer, and Driscoll was very near the end here.

@Tin_Ribs had a good description of Driscoll a while ago.

 

@roughdiamond I'll weigh in at some point pal, hopefully after work today. Good posts from you.

 

Does anyone know of any footage out there apart from the brief clips with Robson and Hayes?

His style seems to effortless to me. Effortless in the sense he put so much work into it, totally mastered it and it just was second nature to him. Masterful control of distance, little wasted, small moves with the feet, waist, shoulders and excellent use of space and timing. It’s no wonder he had Attell falling himself with his wizardry.