Fighting a taller fighter

You are semi correct. Tyson worked at half distance, the OP asked about outside fighting though. I should have answered "Tyson was not an outside fighter".

 

I completly agree with you. I'm not saying that you must be an infighter if you're shorter. All I'm saying is that if you don't have gorilla reach, at some stage or another you will have to take a step forward and move into range against the taller man. Whether you do it as an infighter, slugger, counterpuncher etc. is up to you, but you can't stand on the taller guys range if your hands are shorter than his. You must learn to get closer and box at your own range.

 

You need to get "more inside", not necessarily all the way inside. Bottom line is, you can't do it from the outside.

 

What if you get inside and the guy loves to clinch? What should you do?

 

I'm in a similar sort of situation. I'm a taller fighter for my weight and am often in with shorter guys - so, had to put the thinking cap on the first time i was in with a guy taller.

First thing is, people are lazy. 9 out of 10 guys will let you get in range without punching.. they will not use thier whereby they make you walk into/past a jab everytime you want to come in.

Other then that, I find it ALOT easier to slip guys taller. Its a bit easier to make them miss - then you just have to make them pay.

Also, when your the shorter fighter.. it is easier to fight on the inside. You dont have to bend as far for the rips. You will find it easier on the inside then your taller opponent.

Overall though, don't change what you do alot - just use more head movement (itll be easier with a taller guy). But if you do come across a busy jabber, make sure you do not stand on his range. Be either right in where you can be punch, or right out where your both out of range.

 

It is always easy to say: "Look at what Roy Jones did to John Ruiz, that's how you fight a taller man." If you have the talent that Roy Jones has, it is an option but not necessarily the best option. What do you do if you don't have Roy Jones's talent? Come at your opponent behind the cover of a jab. Move you head so that he doesn't have a stationary target. Once you get inside stay there and work him because he can most easily hit you while transiting the kill zone. Maintain a tight defense and keep your hands in front of you because he is going to try to clinch. In general terms learn to shorten your punches. It is very difficult to hit taller men with full extension punches.

 

good body movement, throwing your punches whilest moving in.