Arm length and the effectiveness of the Jab

Used to do a lot if in the US Pacific NW. Thinking about starting again next season.

Also, a factor people are missing is height. Height allows you lean forward and back in and out of range.... increasing your range either way.

 

Normally I don't care about typos-but I really, really wish there was a boxer named Barbados Joe Walnut.

 

I agree, but would have said it slightly differently >>>

Assuming timing, speed, accuracy and commitment are about equal, a longer reach is what will give you the advantage over your opponent.

 

Funny thing is that Tommy Hearns has a 78 inch reach and Virgil Hill was at 77 inches. Small difference, but then again who knows what the arm length was since reach used to be measured tip of finger to other tip including back. But Tommy outjabbed Virgil. which is why he won the fight.

 

A fighter outjabbing another is the outcome of a whole number of stylistic, mental and physical strengths and weaknesses on the part of both fighters.

Reach can matter if a lot of those other attributes are quite equal.It could also be the defining attribute gap in a jabbing contest being one-sided or reasonably competitive, just as movement, footwork etc can.

ie. i imagine if Tony Sibson had arms the same length as Hagler instead of being a human t-rex, that his great jab would have had a lot more success in that fight.There were obviously other areas of superiority that played a part in how the jabbing played out, but Reach was one of the more important ones.

 

Arm length is obviously going to matter with a jab, but if you don't know how & when to throw it, it won't matter jack. Give me a quick smart jab any day of the week, over a long reach.