He had a magnificent one. What about his technique made his uppercut hard to counter? For example, Douglas got hit by Holyfield’s counter right when he missed an uppercut. Lewis, on the other hand, never seemed to have an issue after throwing an uppercut.
This content is protected Look at how tucked in he is. Even his elbows are in position ffs. He didn't often risk the uppercut unless he was throwing it in self-defence. But he was an accurate puncher who didn't waste much. Against Holyfield he quite often threw it once he had Holyfield under control - so he would throw it when Holyfield was offensively compromised. Great stuff.
This content is protected Like that. Look where Holyfield's right is. That is not technically correct or anything so proper as that, it's better than that. Lewis wasn't always technical but he was fundamental.
Great stuff Mcgrain. I am only training for fun but I hate throwing a right uppercut because I feel exposed and open. I don’t feel the same when I throw a right cross, a jab or a left hook. Perhaps I just need to use the uppercut defensively.
He set the uppercut up, like vs Mercer he'd do what Tyson would do, go to the body with the right hand then come up the middle with the right uppercut. He also used his jab to often blind his opponent to the uppercut that would come quickly after and he'd on the inside use collar ties and framing to set up the uppercut. Compare that to Douglas' uppercut vs Holyfield, he made no attempt to disguise it, didn't even throw a jab, wasn't in the correct range and he telegraphed the punch by dipping to his right. Holyfield also set him up for it, feinted the jab to bring the lead and threw a counter.
In addition to technical proficiency, timing, situational awareness, and the secondary movements to set it up and protect yourself after throwing it are also key.
Douglas had this issue in every fight where he would throw the uppercut while out of range, Holyfield capitalised on it. Lewis was much smarter with his use of the uppercut, would make sure it was the right time and he was in the right position to throw it.
If I remember right, Douglas threw an uppercut from outside against Holyfield while he (BD) was moving forward. Holyfield countered him with a straight right hand. Uppercuts should be used either inside or against an advancing opponent. The "classic" uppercut is to take a half step back while the opponent is advancing, torquing your body and "walk" the opponent into the punch. Of course uppercuts are also useful when in close. From the videos attached it looks like Lewis was using his correctly, against advancing opponents. Uppercuts shouldn't be thrown from outside, you might get "lucky" occasionally, but most times you'll end up like Douglas.
You're right with that observation. Timing, form, accuracy. He had it all on his uppercuts. Lewis was the most skilled big heavyweight out of all the giants.