How do you protect yourself from liver shots?

Discussion in 'Boxing Training' started by dmt, Dec 9, 2024.

  1. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2006
    Messages:
    11,301
    Likes Received:
    16,974
    If orthodox, how do you protect yourself?

    If southpaw, how do you protect yourself?
     
  2. captain hook

    captain hook Well-Known Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2011
    Messages:
    1,789
    Likes Received:
    358
    blocking shots, tucking your elbow in, stepping outside the range
     
    dmt likes this.
  3. dcarlota

    dcarlota Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2024
    Messages:
    370
    Likes Received:
    388
    Southpaw here, I use the cross guard and I use my lead hand to protect my liver and midsection.
     
  4. rodney

    rodney Boxing Junkie Full Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2006
    Messages:
    11,331
    Likes Received:
    634
    Sit ups, medicine ball, --- lots of them, everyday.
     
  5. Rockin1

    Rockin1 Pugilistic Member Full Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2024
    Messages:
    521
    Likes Received:
    843
    Don't stand squared up to your opponent.
     
  6. Rollin

    Rollin Boxing Addict Full Member

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2021
    Messages:
    4,179
    Likes Received:
    6,659
    Plenty of methods I guess. It's kinda hard to give a tailor made approach without knowing your style and level.
     
  7. Svoboda

    Svoboda Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2022
    Messages:
    138
    Likes Received:
    139
    As a southpaw, elbow always tucked in since my leading side is where the liver located. I realized very quick you can have an "iron chin" but nobody has an iron liver...
     
    Saintpat, Rockin1 and Smoochie like this.
  8. Scammell

    Scammell Bob N' Weave Full Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2023
    Messages:
    94
    Likes Received:
    158
    Good question, because once a clean liver shot lands, it’s too late. You have to prevent it from happening in the first place.

    If you’re orthodox:
    • Keep your right elbow tight to your side, especially when inside. Don't let it flare when you punch.
    • Pivot out to your left after combinations, standing square makes you a target.
    • When slipping or rolling, don’t overcommit and expose your right side wide open.

    If you’re southpaw:
    • Same idea, but reverse it, your liver is now more exposed when orthodox opponents throw straight rights or left hooks downstairs.
    • Keep your left elbow tucked and use small steps back and right to take their angles away.

    For both stances, good footwork and tight defence matter way more than trying to "block" body shots last-second. Best way to defend the liver is controlling range and never letting your side sit exposed for free.
     
    Smoochie likes this.
  9. Blade

    Blade Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2025
    Messages:
    124
    Likes Received:
    89
    All this would be useless cause you cant train the liver, once its hit on the button, your paralyzed
     
    Smoochie likes this.
  10. boxbible

    boxbible Active Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2004
    Messages:
    991
    Likes Received:
    14
    If you lower your elbows to block it, you risk being open for a head shot if they fake you out.

    If you keep your guard up high, they can sneak in the body shot under your elbows.

    What to do?

    Old skool fighters simply dipped their knees. That way, they could block the punch without having to lower their guard.

    And if it was a fake and they threw to the head, the punch would go over since you bent your knees and dipped. Kill two birds with one stone.

    Old skool fighters understood efficienct fighting.
     
  11. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2006
    Messages:
    11,301
    Likes Received:
    16,974
    This is an excellent post.
     
  12. JL2025

    JL2025 New Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2025
    Messages:
    8
    Likes Received:
    0
    keep your elbows in and move around. Dont stay stationery.