Was wondering if more advanced guys / pros actually roll/slip etc without seeing their opponent throw the punch? Meaning do they throw a 1-2-roll even if there isn't a punch coming? Interested to get more info on this as I got the idea from another post here
well i do, but try not to do the same thing over and over again. If they see you slip punches in mid combo if you do it in a way where it's not obvious then there will be hesitation in trying to counter. If you counter many times this way, you can end up pressuring and pushing a guy to the ropes.
Every time you move in to throw a sequence of punches, you have to finish, so to speak. By that I mean that you have to have a way out, to get out of range and re-establish distance to begin setting up the next attack, or you have to change the angle so that you can keep punching and prolong the current attack. You move so you don't get hit back. That isn't something that you suddenly start doing at an 'advanced' level, either. It is something you start working on the second you know how to throw punches and maintain balance. You work on it when you shadowbox, when you hit the heavy bag (and any other bag you hit), on the mitts and when you spar. You see so many guys that hit the bag with a combination and then just stand there; that is only teaching yourself a bad habit. Just as bad are the guys that throw the combination, then wobble their head 3 inches in one direction then the other (very common post-Tyson) and call it head movement.
There's a saying that says "Move your head or your opponent will move it for you." To answer your question Yes, you gotta practice moving your head preemptively, meaning before your opponent even throws the punch. Usually more slipping is used than rolling (depending on fighters style though) but you should practice both and try not to become too predictable.
Simple rule. If your not punching you need to be moving your head or moving your feet. And try not to repeat the same moves over and over again.
as a beginner it's easy to follow "throw right, go right(, throw right)" and "throw left, go left(, throw left)". when you finish with your left hook either roll left or dropout left. when you finish with your right either roll right or dropout right. if you're standing in a narrow stance use a drop (slip) and if you're wider use a roll. to make it not so predictable use vary the number of punches in your combination so they don't know when the end is upon them.
