I'm a boxing trainer, well to be precise a boxing technical consultant. I want to find out how many people here agrees with me on this. From my observations, some of the boxing greats are not 'entirely' gifted but they're in possession of an advanced boxing delivery system which has given them an edge over their competitors. Take roy jones jr for example, pay attention to the way he throws his punches, the technique he uses isnt textbook but its unique and extremely effective, also who can ever forget prince naseem, that little guy can bang, and what about GGG, do they know something you don't? Sugar ray leonard based his punching technique on material from bruce lee. Theres a video on youtube where he admits being inspired by bruce. I want to bring this topic to the surface which isnt spoken about, it seems not many people are aware of it.
IMO Julian Jackson is the best example. There is nothing magical about his punches other than he is genetically gifted with a freaky proportion of fast switch muscle fibers. Speedy Noil in college football is maybe even better. He earned the nickname Speedy because he was freakishly fast as a little kid. Not from training but genetics. Here is his 45.3 inch vertical in high school at 17 This content is protected No training is going to produce that or Julian Jackson type power without starting with a freakish amount of fast twitch fibers to work with. For sure GGG is the same way.
I agree and disagree. Even though some people do have good genectics which means they're naturally fast, I still think speed and power can be improved massively through technique, providing you know the right technique of course. As I have previously mentioned, S.R.Leonard was inpspired by Bruce Lee's understanding of body mechanics to do with punching, so its fair to say without BL's work, we may well not have witnessed a S.R.Leonard as quick as he was. I also believe GGG relies on technique, instead of genetics, to punch harder and faster, and so does floyd, Pacquiao and Roy jones Jr and other elite boxers. I know for sure they use an advanced technique we dont know about which has given them an edge. To back up my claims, I have posted my own videos to illustrate by findings:- This content is protected Here's me perfecting floyd mayweathers technique:- This content is protected Bear in mind I only train part time.
Punching power comes from perfecting the technique and having leverage. I'd advice you to study Mike Tyson, he rotates his body, uses his legs and hips to generate power. He "over rotates" his body so he can get maximal leverage and rotation to his punches. It takes years and years of training. Perfecting the basics is key. Do a lot basic drills like one-one-two, left-hook-straight-left-hook, etc. It takes millions of repetitions to get it to muscle memory. One good all time great i'd advice you to look is Joe Louis. He used to lean his body to right and measure his opponet with jabs, when he got close he threw right hand. His technique was very unique and I believe his style was the key why Louis was so succesfull at the time.
There's no secret, throwing a punch is like any other athletic movement. Some people are naturally more coordinated than others, some people have the genetic make up to be more explosive. Coordination and fibre composition can be altered by training. Throwing a punch in itself is just a simple throw utilising the kinetic chain. Bigger muscles before smaller muscles, segmental acceleration.
You cant create a magical boxing system ,you have to work with the fighter and his abilities. You alone cant create skills hes not capable of but you can improve his own abilities. some skills you add into his style and so on....the most effective punch is the one that lands. The best k.o punch is the one they dont see....you can improve power if you know the mechanics of the body and your fighter and improve delivery system but not one system is a secret ...the fighter doesnt run on thsat he runs on his own abilitites and style.!
IMHO looking at Roy Jones "first" punch... he seems to start delivering just as he plant his back foot solid. Thereby using BIG musclegroups to change direction. Also his punch is extremely "straight" and his elbow pointing downward for quite a distance. This means that the opponent have no flailing elbow to react to. Roy is also moving "straight at" his opponent thus giving no upperbody early warning. Very hard to see short movements that are in the line straight at you. The punch thrown at Ruiz is one that has got a "head start" meaning that he´s closer to the target when he starts, he´s a little square on and leaning a bit forward. Mayweather also does this ... or should i say did this.... often. Roy moves in very straight lines, not giving anything away and has a tremendous sense of "the room".
many of these great boxers that possess unique skills aren't because they have some secret, unlocking magical powers. they worked hard in (and out) of the gym, risking and practicing innovative (against the norm) skills and strategies until they were honed. they did what others weren't willing to do. they had trainers that believed in them, encouraged them, and gave them the opportunity to succeed outside the regular routines. they were leaders in athletics. and what that creates is the next generation of followers, attempting to be like their heroes, which is fine. that's how growth happens. look at the nba 50 years ago to now. it's the cycle of innovation-imitation-repeat that keeps motion forwarding. i don't mind all the debates in these forums about the "what if" opinions of fans and athletes. again, there's growth in that. but i find it most disrespectful when someone is trying to SELL a magic potion light switch solution, hustling off the backs and reputations of real hard earned success.
There are no secret, magical powers, as BoxinScience above says, it is hours upon hours (read months/years) of intensive training supervised by coaches who know their stuff. I really liked the idea that as boxers first start, they learn the basics of the game, but as they get better they begin to acquire a style. This style is often the result of imitating other class boxers who they see around them e.g. Mexican style, British style etc..., but given that everyone is an individual, and will develop their own unique style based on their own set of skills - we get a dazzling variety of boxers with different styles, stances, and punches. On the subject of delivering power, I like the idea of the twitching muscles, the ones that when recoiled and let loose deliver massive amounts of power for a relatively short throw e.g left hook when thrown properly will 'spring' back. These twitching muscles develop through practice, and refining technique.
