Im just curious as to how the fighting styles, training methods and priorities differ from US to UK in Boxing. Often when I watch amatuers train in America on youtube, a large portion of fighters have adopted the "slick" mayweather/roy jones fighting attitude even at amatuer level I see guys dropping the left and shooting the jab from their hip. Whereas here in the UK (london where im from as we have the best gyms in UK) coaches are strict on tight guards, arm retracting as quick as it was shot etc a much more traditional idea of boxing. I am not allowed to shoulder roll, if im evading a punch with footwork and my lead hand drops my coach insists I fix that. I may be wrong, but would you agree in the states being more of a "slickster" is allowed at amatuer level? and boxing seems to be more modernized whereas the UK amatuer level is still opting for traditional boxing styles?
That style is a response to the Mexican style imo. There are a TON of pressure fighters in the US. It's what most coaches teach first (hands high, move the head, move them to the ropes and rip them up). I think the relaxed style evolved here as a response for guys who weren't necessary physical machines. You conserve energy, frustrate the opponent, and don't get hit as cleanly. It extends your career and lets you spar more frequently (hence the association with Philly and Detroit, where gym wars are just what they do). I think the UK has stuck to the traditional style for a number of reasons, but primarily because the traditional style works best against the traditional style. You don't really have a neighboring country with an opposite style that you need to adapt to. IMO, boxing is approached as a science in the UK, whereas most coaches here at low levels look at it as a fight. So the guys starting out in the UK don't need to worry about being bashed up all the time, where here you have to adapt to improve/survive in the sport. Still, most coaches are strict with beginners for safety reasons and to ensure they have the right foundation. I started out as a pressure fighter when I was younger and in good shape, but adopted a more evasive style now that I have a lot more skill and a lot less stamina. Coaches don't really let you drop your hands here either if you can't get away with it, but the US has a less legalistic mindset in general and we tend to just adopt what's effective.
I completely forgot about the fact that Mexicans also contribute to the boxing scene in the US lol they definitely have their own unique perspective on boxing too. Buy yeah I guess you hit the nail on the head, I just find it interesting, Id love to spar or be trained by an American coach for a while to see the difference, I think it can only help you improve.
I'd like to ask about what tou think about alot of the asian fighters styles. Its diverse because we have many guys who like to just come forward and brawl but more recently as the coaches comtinue to get more experience i see that alot of the pros and world champs today adopt a very well schooled classic one two style. There really heavily based on the basics from what i have seen. To name one would be like a ioka kazuto or even nishioka toshiaki.
The US as a culture seems to value flashy athleticism more than the fundamentals as well so that may contribute to it... i find this a very interesting topic tho, quite intriguing
That is very interesting to note. I think japanese fighting style is more of a box and move kind of style. They have very basic and traditional technique and they use that to box. Most interesting style for me to watch. On a side note, im from canada and i see mainly two styles of fighting. Box and move or punch and brawl
what do you think about russian/ukrainian style? like lomachenko, usyk and other eastern boxers fight? i think its a traditional style with great defense technics no matter if you box forward or backward. my coach is learning us that style, there is so many elements to learn but i like it. every element has its name and purpose, you can be slick, or aggressive coming forward or pressure boxer, everything has its own.
