We all know British fighters are really good offensively but recently what I've noticed is the biggest downfall of our best fighters at world level seems to be a bit of naivety in defending themselves. Ricky Hatton for instance, when he fought against Kostya Tzsyu his defence was GOOD, often using good wrestling/clinching tactics when Kostya went to throw punches and back then his chin was solid so he could take the punches that Kostya threw at him and wore him down. But Hatton seemed to be TOO confident in his chin and almost forgot how to defend himself, one of the reasons his fights with Mayweather and Pacquiou were all too easy for them against Hatton. Carl Froch - Absolutely Granite chin, but this has meant his basic defensive manoeuvre rather than head movement or reflexes is the blocking the punch with his face, against Taylor it finally proved a bit of a stupid ploy and Kessler could and should have had Froch out of there. He also got into a war with Pascal in which he showed off some bravado and took shots he didn't NEED to take. Do you think any British fighters have a good quality defence like the American fighters, if you look at the likes of Andre Ward, Andre Dirrell, Floyd Mayweather, Winky Wright, Shane Mosley, Bernard Hopkins, Chad Dawson, Tim Bradley, Steve Cunningham etc. MOST of the top American fighters don't neccessarily have the best offence and attacking artillery but they seem to be a cut above in terms of defence. I think possibly Khan despite his chin being poor as we all know has learnt how to have a good defence, making use of the best defensive weapon a good solid jab and uses the distances excellently although he's not brilliant in clinches and on the inside. Ricky Burns seems quite solid in this respect too. Any others? :huh
Said it before and i'll say it again, I don't get how people say Froch's chin is "absolute granite" or even "granite" for that matter.
froch just takes so many shots that his has to be a least very good but yeah hes no McCall. He was put down vs taylor but got up quickly and his eyes were clear. Dirrel had him hurt tho as did kessler (havent seen the fight just going from what i have read) I do think sooner or later his chin will let him down and once its cracked he may never get back to the level he was at cause he relys on it so much. Even if he just coverd up a little at time that would stop some shots but he just doesnt seem to care
I worry for Froch against fast punches as both times he was rocked it was because he didn't see the punches coming. Same with the kd. Technially he is awful too.
Mosley isn't the best example for good defense and less than great offense..... I'd say he was the opposite. The rest of the points are valid - Froch and Hatton generally prefer to draw the lead and counter (without being classical counter punchers) - Hatton would do the little jerk to the left to set up a hook, whilst Froch likes to try and slip shots and fire back with the rights (see Taylor round 12 :yep). It's just not something that's really taught here - plus you don't get points for making your opponent miss in the ams..... I think Froch has a good chin - good enough to hold what he's likely to face in the division, but he's a step below Clinton Woods in that department.
:huh Surely you're kidding? The guy is an athletic slugger, he does move his head sometimes, but requires being straight-on to get his punches off. No way is he anywhere close to above average defensively.
A lot of our boxers game plans mimic the national football side. High tempo, press,press,press. Break the opponents will. Why...well because sometimes it's easier to take shots then not take them and land. It's a sad sight when our fighters have to take shots to give shots back. But you can't make someone be something they ain't. You are what you are. It all stems from the grassroots coaching as well. Just like football. If i was a coach i'd work a hell of a lot on fighters defense. Progressing it week by week so that it doesn't get stale. I remember when i boxed it was catch, pat and slip and roll and then most of time you work on combination's and then getting hands back. I'm positive about our future fighters because of coaches having access to the U.S trainers. I seen a video of Jeff Thomas coaching a long while back in a thread. Not just saying this because he posts on here but him and i'm sure there's plenty others are now implementing the right values to our young fighters.
