Trainer sayings/euphemisms

George Chemeres had code words he used with his last fighter John Palaki that nobody else was supposed to understand. If he wanted Palaki to change his approach in the middle of a round, he'd yell the words and Palaki would adjust. I saw this more than once. I wasn't privy to the code, but I could see Palaki change his method of attack. George trained Palaki for his entire career.

 

"Thump the tub."

Sean O'Grady's dad telling him to hit the body.

 

My trainer took various tones with grunts when he wanted you to hit harder or speed up etc. didn’t talk a lot unless he was in a good mood. He said I used to “club” my punches too much for a while before you gave me some solid advice.

 

Wicked.

 

Interesting. Always found that a tad confusing. I thought they called Holmes’ jab Big Jack. Then I later read it was a nickname for Holmes himself, full stop, a nickname given to him by his early inner circle. I also read/heard that Big Jack related to old timer, former HW Champ Jack Johnson. What’s in a nickname, eh?

 

“Stick and Move” seems all so obvious but are we sufficiently immersed in the sport of boxing to be naive to the possibility that some who don’t follow boxing might not necessarily get it?

In that realm, there is also perhaps “Let your hands go!” Joe Bugner, are you listening?

Ali had a special code for Bundini to tell him to be quiet.

He’d punch him, and he did it more than once after a few fights when his biggest booster and alter ego didn’t know when to turn it down.

 

“Big Jake” is an amazing name for a jab. I need the source otherwise everyone I know is being told misinformation regardless

 

I used to shout "muck spreader" at one of our lads who gave away height and reach to all his opponents.
"Muck spreader was an over hand right that Dave 'boy' Green used to throw over his opponents guard as he ducked low and worked for our lad too.

 

I remember Gil Glancy mentioning that exact exchange with fighters he trained...

 

"we are firemen" just kidding.
Go to the breadbasket aka body
Kill the body and the head will fall aka go to the body first
Don't pose for a picture or try to admire your work after your punch aka move outta the way after delivering blows
... Speaking of jabs, I thought of one for Lennox Lewis: padded baseball bat lol . Thought it would sound better than blunt force meter stick jab.

And try to make openings instead of waiting for them aka keep punching through his guard even if it's tight or if he is in a defensive survival mode.

 

GET AFTER HIM ******!- Emmanuel Steward's sage advice to Lennox Lewis

 

Teddy Atlas is the bane of boxing, an insufferable sob.

“Are you ready for the fire? We are firemen! We are firemen! The heat doesn't bother us!" - Theodore Map Book