The turtle shell defense

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by general zod, Oct 6, 2012.


  1. general zod

    general zod World Champion Full Member

    6,744
    51
    Apr 7, 2010
    It works great from a defensive point of view, but it affects a fighters offensive capabilites, which fighters still use it?

    So far I have:
    Clottley (im not really sure if that guy is even fighting)
    Wright (recently retired)
    Abraham
     
  2. miniq

    miniq AJ IS A BODYBUILDING BUM Full Member

    47,370
    27,117
    Oct 23, 2011
    Clottley ^^

    It's not that great... Simple and can leave the body exposed.
     
  3. general zod

    general zod World Champion Full Member

    6,744
    51
    Apr 7, 2010
    In fairness to Clottely he is a solid counter puncher, but likes to take rounds off.

    On the limitations of the style:

    1: It leaves the body exposed (your point)
    2: limits your mobility
    3: Limits your offense. You are basically waiting in lulls in your opponents offense before you can let your hands go.

    off topic:
    Is that Joe Lewis with Bruce?
     
  4. miniq

    miniq AJ IS A BODYBUILDING BUM Full Member

    47,370
    27,117
    Oct 23, 2011
  5. general zod

    general zod World Champion Full Member

    6,744
    51
    Apr 7, 2010
  6. techks

    techks ATG list Killah! Full Member

    19,779
    696
    Dec 6, 2009
    If you don't shield your eyes too much and have your elbows in the right position you can block body hooks. Straights are the weakness which AA was getting picked apart by from Dirrell. When he had his arms too far apart Dirrell would either feint first or go straight for a left straight to the top or bottom. It depends on the spacing of the turtle shell defenders' arms from either the top or bottom position. He can try to avoid up top straights with head movement but as the saying goes, "The body doesn't move only twists". I think the turtle shell is great for jabbers ala Wright & Quartey but it's not the best thing or smart one to do for someone who avidly loves mixing it up like JMM. It also can keep a guy "stuck in the shell" once they face a very active fighter.
     
  7. Cableaddict

    Cableaddict Boxing Junkie Full Member

    13,705
    292
    Jun 15, 2011
    Manuel Charr.

    He made it his game-plan against Vitali, and it cost him a chance at the title.

    Granted, he couldn't know that Vitali planned to deliberately thumb him & then have his paid-for ring doctor call a BS stoppage, but still...

    It shows how dangerous this approach is. Similar to the crossed-arm (Archie Moore) defense George Foreman used against Michael Moorer:
    While it's a viable way to deal with a faster, talented opponent, if it doesn't result in a KO, you are doomed by the cards.

    (or the ring doctor.)
     
  8. general zod

    general zod World Champion Full Member

    6,744
    51
    Apr 7, 2010
    Moorer would of won that fight if he wasnt such a headcase. Atlas pleaded with him to box and move but he made a point of doing the opposite and look what happened.
     
  9. general zod

    general zod World Champion Full Member

    6,744
    51
    Apr 7, 2010
    Wright was out of his depth against a volume puncher like williams
     
  10. elninochino

    elninochino Cutman Full Member

    982
    0
    Jun 8, 2011
    Off the top of my head....... Omar Andres Narvaez (guy who Donaire beat recently). Darren Barker (who got KO'd by Martinez recently).
     
  11. techks

    techks ATG list Killah! Full Member

    19,779
    696
    Dec 6, 2009
    That's right. Brought up an active fighter being able to beat a shell fighter most of the times.
     
  12. general zod

    general zod World Champion Full Member

    6,744
    51
    Apr 7, 2010
    Im still kind of surprised that guys still use it. I thought Dirrell-Abraham should of marked the death of that style.
     
  13. general zod

    general zod World Champion Full Member

    6,744
    51
    Apr 7, 2010
    Chaves Jr also comes to mind, and he was waay out of his depth against Martinez's lateral movement
     
  14. This content is protected

    This content is protected


    Depends on the guy... Clottey's body is well protected because he has long black dick, I mean arms. :oops:

    His elbows take the brunt of the punches.
     
  15. bald_head_slick

    bald_head_slick Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    27,388
    2
    May 15, 2009
    If a fighter has good speed and reflexes/reads, he can operate offensively out of this style very effectively. A guy has to have a solid jab and cross with speed. Winky Wright used to destroy guys using this. Clottey as well. The fact of the matter is that a guy has to train in that style and be ready to unleash as soon as opportunities present themselves. Most guys we see using the turtle defense are overwhelmed and riding out the storm not executing a strategy.

    I hate when guys use that Pac/Clottey fight. Given what we have seen from Pac since you come away with one of two conclusions. Either Pac was cheating using PEDs or Clottey threw that fight. Period. Clottey would beat Pac easily.