Whats the best way to handle pressure?

Thing with pressure fighters to, is that they are generally slow starters, why are they slow starters? probably because the strategy is geared around capitalizing when you become a more stationary target, cause whilst your fresh you can use your legs to offset them, but by the same token, you can pay price for using legs by getting tired, which is where you become more stationary, the pressure fighters then becomes more effective, starts hitting the body to wear you down even more, and you got a fight on your hands.

Its like everything I guess, there has to be a medium between what your doing, you try to load up and punch too hard, you might eventually wear yourself out, you move to much and not give him any think to about, he will apply more pressure and make you move even more, in an effort to tire you out so he capitalize when you become stationary, you use the jab to much, he might eventually become wise to it, then start hanging back trying to send a right hand over the top etc.

 

You must use your legs but not to run around too much because very few people can sustain that when the fight gets into the later stages. Step at a steady even pace but never widening your stance by over stepping because that wears your legs out. If you need a quick move for when they rush in then use a pivot because it will provide an opening when the rush past you because their momentum will work against them.

The jab is essential and you'll have to get used to throwing them stiff without over-relying on your arm. It must come from off the back foot with a slight push off and some torso torque to add more power but not wear your shoulder out. Mix the jab up upstairs and down and feint it along with throwing it. When they start reacting to the feints then act accordingly: if they freeze let off a short combination, if they try and counter avoid it keep pumping the jab. Never jab from too close where you can be countered

You'll have to be very sneaky to land bodyshots because your head is left open and you have to plant your feet to get them off which makes you a stationary target. Get them off quick, make them count then get back to stepping laterally so you're not there long enough to find. From a distance throw them straight down the middle to the gut like you would fire a jab or cross to the head but don't telegraph. Only hook/upshot to the body when they're covered up and not ready to fire back but never stay there afterwards because they are too close to begin with if those shots are available.

Stay off the ropes(if you can, clinch and walk them off the ropes. If they're stronger than you and are pressing you into the ropes try to redirect them to get just enough space to slip out but protect yourself at all times when slipping out or you can get caught) Don't get too close to the ropes and if you find yourself too close let your hands go abit to get them on the defensive(mix with feinting as long as their reacting to the feints defensive like they are to actual punches) and maneuver towards the center of the ring.

Most importantly don't fall apart mentally if they start landing shots on you. If the pressure kills you mentally then your body won't hold up too much longer afterwards.

 

The term "pressure fighter" is a pretty broad term. You can break it down into several sub-categories; stalker, swarmer, slugger, bully, volume puncher, et. How you beat a pressure fighter depends on which type of pressure fighter you're facing, and your own strengths and weaknesses.

 

a nice body shot will move anybody, either that or he will be frozen on the spot

 

It depends on what kind of pressure.

For instance Hatton was said to be a good pressure fighter , but I always thought his lack of any kind of jab left he in no mans land when coming forward.

I always like a calm fighter , who can use the space they have either inside or outside and who never takes their eye off the opponent.

For me the best pressure fighter in recent times was Holyfield , not the classic example , because he could go backwards , sideways and work inside and outside. But his constant work made him great.

 

At 2:59 you hear Sanchez' corner instruct him in spanish "over his jab" at 3:03 he steps back plants himself, times Lopez' jab and lands an overhand right!

Talk about following instruction to the tee!

 

A stiff jab and good lateral movement to set up the rest of your offense. Also helps if you're pliable and able to bend at the knees well and also at the torso.

 

A couple of Danny's losses support the idea that there is no one way to beat a good pressure fighter. Chacon just jumped ugly and went all medieval on Danny. There aren't many fighters who would get away with that.

And by the way, I have never felt that Sanchez gets enough credit for his two wins over Little Red. Sal dethroned a hall of fame beast in, or at least near, his prime!

 

It depends on you and your style. There is no black and white or nothing set in stone. What worked for fighter A might not for fighter B. Are you a brawler with fast hands and feet like Calzaghe or one that walks down his opponents with heavy shots with minimum speed like Rios? Or a brawler like Maidana who also has one punch power with nonstop aggression? Are you a southpaw, ortho, switch hitter, counterpuncher, power puncher, light puncher,tall or short, etc? We or at least I need to know what we're working with here to bring out the best in your style.

Also need to be brought up is what kind of pressure we're dealing with. As a rule of thumb I wouldn't want to stay in front of anyone of them and avoid there best punch, in Maidana's case his right, in Margarito's his left uppercut or left hook to the body. IMO bodyshots are the best punches in boxing and like they say in Mexico, Destroy the body, and the head falls with it. You'll damage your hands less going to the body compared to going to the head too much. Pressure fighters don't like being pushed back and they are by far the most physical of all fighters, sometimes throwing in elbows and headbutts. Most pressure fighters also expect alot of jabs and headshots, but when a boxer lands a great bodyshot, especially one that catches them by surprise, that should slow down the pressure.

There are so many examples of this bro. Gatti and Bute are 2 very different fighters, but both used a similar approach, distance and bodyshots. Mosley and Pacman hurt Margarito to the body many times as did Khan to Maidana.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPoyR410teI[/ame]
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFdeRm_qmDs[/ame]

 

Jab, move

Jab, drop back, rear uppercut, lead hook spin out

Jab, drop back, rear hook, roll under, spin out

Jab, drop back, rear straight, clinch

Jab, drop back, crash into him shoulder first (faking a lead body shot), lean on him, clinch

Drop back, lead hook, roll out

Drop back, rear straight, lead body uppercut, roll out

 

Looks like some useful and varied sequences to land effective shots which catch them coming in AND get out of the way of return fire/stymie the opponent's rhythm :good

 

I think stamina is the key, if your in good shape you can keep moving and clinching when you have to, the pressure fighter wont break you down unless he lands something big.

 

Xanex

 

There's safety in closure I believe. If I crowd you back, you're not going to be able to hit me as hard

 

I like Floyds method of handling pressure: Taking a vacation.