I've been boxing quite a few years (mainly just for fun, and staying in shape). I'm about 70% power lifter/ 30% boxer. I'm only 5'7, but about 180, but still have stayed pretty quick and fluid for my size. I'm right handed, but used to fight south paw when I was smaller, and quicker. Now i've grown a lot, and just like to muscle people around, don't mind taking a few punches, and try to fight more like a Tyson (head movement, high guard, etc) so I converted back to conventional stance probably a year ago. Here's my question though...I work the crap out of my straight right! I feel pretty good about it, got decent snap, good power, quick, etc. When it comes to sparring I rarely throw the damn thing though. Most people are taller than me so maybe that's my problem, but it just STILL doesn't feel comfortable to throw. My right hook feels very comfortable to throw, can put plenty of weight behind it if I wanted, and just feels so much better. I've tryed to throw the straight right forever now, and my jab comes way more natural than the straight right. Do I just develop my style to suit more of a Tyson, get inside, and do damage kind of guy while maintaining a high guard, or continue to work that straight right? Like I said no problems throwing at a bag, but throwing at people doesn't feel as comfortable though. BTW: Is it better to just develop a certain style in your opinion, or do many different things? What'd be better for me?
I would say a jab.. As a short guy, you are going to want to keep it pumping to give the opponent something to worry about as you work your way in.. You can use it to control the distance to keep the fight at a shorter distance just like a tall guy can use it to keep it at long distance, if you can make sense of that.
I'm kinda in the same boat as you (5'10ish 190 lbs with a solid right cross). What I like to do is: - come out with a high guard. - use footwork to get within one half-step of my opponent. - time his jab (while i'm doing this, I like to keep jabbing and/or feinting) - counter his jab by slipping to the left and delivering a counter right cross to opponent's head (be careful when you do this because it could put you in the line of fire of your opponent's right cross). If I land the counter successfully and end up on the inside, I immediately follow up with a barrage of punches (hooks and uppercuts mainly). If I don't land the counter, then I either: - step back / pivot away and reset OR - continue to push forward with a 4-6 punch combination in the hopes of breaking through his defense and getting to the inside. When you're facing a taller fighter, getting on the inside and negating his reach is the first priority. Since you say that you have a good jab and a solid right cross, I suggest that you utilize the jab to get inside and utilize the right cross as a counterpunch.
I'd also like to add that there is no "best punch" so to speak. Don't focus too much on deliverin that one "perfect punch" because it could lead to bad results. Rather, try to focus on developing a sound strategy based on your strengths. Check out the first post in this thread: http://www.eastsideboxing.com/forum/showthread.php?t=132033 It does a pretty good job of breaking down a good game plan for a shorter fighter facing a taller fighter.
Lead right, or jab in close. And when you have him moving back, close that distance fast and try to land the right hook. I barely ever use the right hook because its kind of awkward for me. But its a strong punch no doubt. I'd prefer the right uppercut over the hook any day.
Well, my uppercuts are pretty good, but seriously...My uppercut isn't going to connect on many people without me leaving the ground. As for the best punch kind of didn't mean that. Just meant is the right hook, or straight right better for me. I understand the basics though. I mean if there to far away I should either jab, get there attention, step inside, and then I could land a nice right hook if I wanted. OR land a straight right, follow with a left hook, and then I'm inside to do damage. I think I honestly just do to many combos, and have to many different styles for my head to contain. I use to fight 50/50 conventional/southpaw, and then I did JKD on top of it. Now, I switched to only conventional boxing 3 days a week, but also practice elbows, knees, and a few JKD (useful self defense) kicks 2 days a week. Also, I've incorporated a lot of movement in my boxing (before I use to be pretty come forward/ stationary). What is some good moves? The ones I really like is either step in, throw 1-2-1-2-1, step to the right, and then land a nice right while there uncovered at that angle. OR something like Martinez does, throw a straight right, kind of leap to the right while throwing a nice left hook. Of course he's a little off balance which is bad, but I seem to land it a lot at that angle. Any other good combos? BTW: I'll check out that thread Mister T
Strait punches are good for getting in close. One good combo I know a few people who use really effectively once in tight is LEFT UPPERCUT-OVERHAND RIGHT. Also dont forget to switch levels. Body head body head.
I took a while to work this out for myself a year ago. If you want to set up the right cross you're better off jabbing to the body and then throwing a right cross upwards at their head. As long as you change levels to throw the jab you should miss anything they throw at you and that right nearly always lands for me. That being said, I'd focus on slipping and landing the shorter punches as an overall strategy. The right cross won't always land for you as the shorter fighter. Bare in mind also that against taller guys you will have to feint your jab sometimes as a setup because you won't always be able to reach
