If the shoulder roll is so great, why doesn't everyone use it?

because it's very hard to do, and i've seen people get hurt just trying it. floyd trained this way since he was a kid, it's second nature to him, to others it'll be a flaw waiting to catch them out.

 

Extremely difficult to master. James Toney mastered the shoulder roll/philly shell as well.

 

Because Most don't know how to do it correctly and would get KTFO'd trying.

 

Because people aren't good enough to do it.

 

It's a skill few people can teach nowadays but it's very good.Check throughout history,the best defensive boxers used it, Locche,Toney used it and of course Mayweather.

There are not too many old school boxers anymore because many boxers come from Mexico and other Latin American countries where a toe to toe battle is glorified and not defence.The same goes with Europe too I think it's mainly black people who concentrate on defence.

 

The first part is fair enough.

But you have to be kididng in the second paragraph. The last line . Europe - Germany, where technical skills are masturbated over.

 

It takes time and skill to master it. An average Joe can't do it in the ring, most likely they'd get KTFO. Also, casual fans give majority of the money and they glorify "wars" and neglect defensive tacticians.

 

Have you ever seen Carl Froch try to do the shoulder roll? If so, then you have your answer right there.

 

Its a very complex style and requires great awareness and anticipation. This style is an old school style used by fighters that lacked great footspeed and athleticism with specialization on counterpunching. Boxing is more offense oriented and this style is a counterpunchers style. This style is more complex than ur basic boxing stance or peak-a-boo defense.

 

it takes along time to master

but there have been quiet alot of boxers who use it...

morales, cotto, hopkins, de la hoya, kermit cintron all use it or have used it in the past.

 

It needs fast reflexes and high punch awareness. It gives a lot in return in terms of foot position, and ability to throw the right hand counter, but if you haven't got the timing, it will end badly.

It also favours guys who like to be economical with punches and movement.

 

shoulder roll isn't about reflexes at all, james toney isn't the most athletic guy around and even today he is hard to hit.

 

The reason people nowadays think that Oscar had no defense is because they were used to seeing him under Floyd Sr.. Oscar learned the style but every time he employed it he got hit. The European high guard he used before Floyd Sr. was much more effective for him. Watch the Oscar/Vargas fight for some laughable moments in seeing someone get hit every time they try to shoulder roll.

When I see Froch do it it reminds me of those Hoya moments.

 

Thats just like asking...if a 360 reverse slam dunk is so exciting, why don't everyone do it?.....REALLY?