Earlier boxing vs. grappling matches

They were used to a different type of clinch than today's boxers. I have little doubt that most of today's boxers would obliterate most turn of the century boxers(19th to 20th), under today's boxing environment. Boxing's rules have made for a very specific skill set. The evolution of this skill set has also neglected almost every aspect of fighting aside from punching above the waist. Even without grappling instruction, boxing's pioneers would be more adept to grappling than today's boxers merely out of the conditions they fought under.

I know this fight has been seen by, most likely, everyone on this forum; but clearly shows what can happen when a guy that just knows how to box faces someone that isn't just looking to punch.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFn4YtJFNyY[/ame]

Look at Mercer around 30 seconds into the video. Mercer just assumes the position of a boxer looking to wait his opponent's onslaught out, so he can begin punching when his opponent is done. Notice how Kimbo, in what could be his smartest move as a fighter, immediately goes for the take down when his strikes begin to fade.

Mercer is a such a great example, because he also shows us what can happen when you give a world class striker an opening, in a bout where striking is the world class striker's only advantage.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUx9OE7DZAo[/ame]


I would be very interested in finding a pioneer boxing trainer's technical knowledge of the clinch.

 

man mercer really beat the crap out of Tim, mercer event went for the takedown after, mercer is a natural fighter

if they werent in a cage, mercer porbably would have landed something big on kimbo and got him out of there

 

You. You are Awesome. Thank you!

Did you notice that there's a sex ad at the end of the book?

 

awesome.

 

Kimbo went in with the obvious and correct gameplan and stuck to it. Mercer could hit like a mule, and used to KO most of his boxing opponents inside a few rounds. Kimbo did it well.

 

I have a suspicion the judo/jujutsu fighters were only used to fighting against guys wearing a gi. Fighting the gi-less boxer would have negated a lot of their weapons. Plus, they probably never learned to defend against a high level striker.

 

No question about any of that :good

 

not completely related but check this out.
http://www.mmbolding.com/Heavyweights/Boxer_vs._Wrestler_Ali.htm

 

the mercer v kimbo fight was a fix. sherdog refuses to list it as a real contest.

 

He just posted a whole thread about it two weeks ago!

 

Don't forget Judo Gene LeBell and Milo Savage!!!

Savage purportedly greased himself with Vaseline and had brass knuckles under his gloves.

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It was an unsanctioned exhibition...