Jack Dempsey on punching

It sounds like it is out of his Championship Fighting book. Jack Dempsey talks about a "falling punch", likening it to the potential damage caused when a falling object strikes someone. As an example, he explains that a helpless baby, falling from a sufficient height could seriously hurt or kill someone passing underneath. It even comes with an illustration of this scenario. Strange, yes - but an indelible picture to go with the lesson. The idea of a falling punch is to take a step forward, shifting weight from the backward to the forward foot in a slight downward motion. This allows the acceleration due to gravity, along with the weight to come into the equation through the brief 'falling' phase. It is a bit clumsy when first trying it out on a heavy bag, but once the punch lands at the same time as the forward foot lands you get maximum effect.

 

Sounds a bit like the jab/hook to the body Sergey Kovalev finished Cedric Agnew with this past weekend :think

 

Here's an online pdf for Dempsey's 'Championship Fighting'

http://cdn.preterhuman.net/texts/survival/Dempsey, Jack - Championship Fighting.pdf

 

Dempsey, from Chapter 18 of 'Championship Fighting'

"18. Punch Ranks First
You now have a thorough understanding of "punch." Why did I give you such a detailed education in the fundamentals of hitting before I
taught you any defensive moves?
I did it for many reasons; but the principal reason was this: The best defense in fighting is an aggressive defense. Each defensive move must
be accompanied by a counter-punch or be followed immediately by a counterpunch. And you cannot counter properly if you do not know how to
punch.
That does not mean that "a strong offense is the best defense." That overworked quotation may apply to other activities; but it does not apply
to fighting. It does not apply when you're pitted against an experienced opponent. You may have the best attack in the world; but if you're an
open target-if you're a "clay pigeon"-you'll likely get licked by the first experienced scrapper you tackle.
YOU MUST HAVE A GOOD DEFENSE TO BE A WELL-ROUNDED FIGHTER. AND THE BEST DEFENSE IS AN AGGRESSIVE DEFENSE."

 

Great stuff here, and a fascinating topic. Having a background in physics, engineering and martial arts I feel Dempsey explains the 'feel' of a well-timed "pure" punch very well. Especially the point about counter-punching, the opponent 'falling' into your punch will give the transfer of power that much more efficiency and (apart from some well executed examples) this is usually (IMO) the reason for sensational knock-out blows.

Thanks to JWSoats, just for fun, can we muster any examples of A) A knock-out where the opponents both contributed to the impact and B) A fighter delivered a KO/heavy blow through their own power?

Mine would be: Rocky vs J.Walcott and the infamous 'Suzie Q' KO for the former and Tyson's 1st knock down of Holmes for the latter.

 

I haven't read the book, however the main benefit of the "falling step" technique is due to the fact that the drop of the hips forces your feet into the ground thus allowing maximal power transfer (if the timing is right) . Also, would just like to point out the this can be achieved without the "step" by simple bending the knees whilst just before impact (i.e. dropping your weight / sitting on your punches).

 

It's called 'sitting on your punches', it's not a hidden secret.

 

falling punch , , dumbest thing ive ever heard

 

Oh, really?
I won't waste my time then. I only discuss hidden secrets.

 

The old big city America of the early 20th century : where babies falling/thrown out of eighth-floor windows were a commonplace hazard.