The all things technical thread.

It really just depends on how effective the attacker or 'defender' can be. Sometimes it can the hardest thing fighting that style and other times it can be the easiest.

If you're a competent defensive fighter it shouldn't be a problem keeping them at bay and you shouldn't be worn or allow yourself to be walked down. Just keep in mind that they'll always present countering opportunities for you and stay calm under the gun. Relaxation is the key to fighting that style of fighter.

On the counters it just depends on what you're countering and the moment you're in. Sometimes you have to use single counters other times it pays to double up. For example if a guy is coming in on you could pivot to your left, counter with your jab and while other times you can side step, counter with your jab then bring a right cross over or run off a combo. Sometimes it's better to keep it to singles because you might not wanna trade too much. Say the guy is a big puncher and if he punches with you it might be trouble.

Side stepping and pivoting are effective ways to confuse an attacking fighter i find. When i used to spar there was a lot of agressive come forward guys and pivoting to my right (left if you're orthodox) really worked for me. I would jab and then quickly follow up with a light hook off that jab to distract them whilst pivoting to the side. Before i learnt how to pivot it was hard to keep some guys off in sparring. It's also good to know how to clinch properly if you're fighting on the backfoot a lot and against a guy who's a good aggressive fighter.

 

Some of flaws i would say are:

- You have to master it to make it effect otherwise it could be counter-productive. Everything has to be instinctive with it. Like when a left hook comes you must instinctively put your right hand up. Parry the jab with your right hand in front. Straight power punches turn and roll the shoulder and body shots you block with your elbows on both side. Turning and dipping to that side. All those movements have to be instinctive and natural.

- You can blind yourself at times.

- Some fighters tend to neglect their feet when in the shell.

- You have to use the right counters. For example if you roll with a straight and you come back with a uppercut counter that could leave you open to a follow up hook.

- Might not be effective against southpaws or against speed.

It should really be most effective on the inside. It basically originated as a inside defence in the pocket. If you can sit in the pocket it's great. You can smother your opponent on the inside with it especially if he has his guard up in a peek-a-boo style by pressing the left forearm against him and dropping your weight. You have to becareful against bodyshots though. But once they go to the body is when all sorts of countering chances open up for you.

 

Going back to Floyd/Castillo and what i mean by mental pressure and carrying someone faster than they want to be carried. I want everyone to do a little experiment. Stand in front of a mirror and throw punches for a few minutes or to illustrate the point more try and do it for a full 12 rounds. Do it at your own pace and i guarentee you will complete that punch session comfortably. Then do the same thing for the same length of time but this time get someone to tell you WHEN to throw. You can only throw as many punches they tell you to throw and when they tell you to do it. I guarentee you when you complete this session you will be MUCH more fatigued even though it was for the same length of time. The reason is because your brain and muscles are being made to react to someone else's pace. You don't have control. That's the secret to some guys success. They fight on their own terms.

 

One of my biggest bug bears is people misunderstanding fighters styles. For example i read in another thread someone comparing Chico Corrales to Tommy Hearns. Just because he was tall for the weight. Those type of comparisons really bug me.

If we look at Chico he didn't really have that much leverage and his reach was nowhere near someone like Hearns. He was just a different style of fighter too. He was tall but not rangy and he was a pressure fighter not a boxer puncher stalker. Can't believe some people use Corrales as an example for a Hearns/Mayweather or even someone like Vernon Forrest. Who are pretty much the nightmare styles for Floyd.

 

Also Chico got consistantly outboxed from the outside by even shorter fighters for long periods. Frietas, Casamayor even Robert Garcia. Chico was just a stand up pressure fighter type.

People come out with some funny sh*t though. The best i heard was Joe Calzaghe had legendary stamina because he snorted coke.

 

Chico was the fighter he was because of his mentality. Kill or be killed attitude.

That's an interesting question. What shot was a particular fighter more susceptible to getting hit with. As slick as Pernell was for example he could accassionally be open to a straight right hand. That was his 'kryptonite'. He'd take away your left hand with his eyes closed.

 

Wilfred Benitez was open to up jabs.