Used to be a front foot pressure fighter, but now I naturally box of the front foot

Discussion in 'Boxing Training' started by Celtic Warrior, Mar 6, 2013.


  1. Celtic Warrior

    Celtic Warrior Active Member Full Member

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    When I started boxing a few years ago and until quite recently I was a natural pressure fighter.

    But nowadays I find myself boxing of the back foot when someone puts the slightest pressure on me.

    I think this is because I'm a better boxer and much more relaxed in the ring now. But this worked to my detriment in my last fight.

    Anyone else have this experience?

    I'm thinking I should get back to pressure fighting, feel that I'm better this way but I can't seem to shake myself out of this grove.
     
  2. KillSomething

    KillSomething Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Same here. When I started out I had a Mexican coach who was really big on the pressure style, being a tough guy, etc. Then I went to a gym where the coaches were more scientific, but I mostly stuck with the pressure style. Basically my skill level wasn't high enough to be effective in any way but pressuring and out-athleting the other guy, but it was really really effective because it suited my talents (good engine, good power, tall, bodypuncher, etc.)

    I ended up going through a lot of personal stuff and some injuries and stopped going to the gym for a long time (about 2 years), but I never stopped shadowboxing (and drilling the skills my second coaches taught me). I got extremely out of shape, though, so knowing that I couldn't rely on athleticism I started watching a lot of boxing, picking up little tricks from different fighters, and drilling them in shadowboxing.

    When I finally went back to the gym to spar I was in terrible shape but my skill level had increased and I hadn't gotten any shorter. So I tried a countering style (similar to Hopkins and Archie Moore) and it worked really well as long as I could maintain it. Basically fence with the jab and use footwork to set up angles and counterpunches. Since my output was like 1/4 what it used to be I had to make all the punches count.

    My plan is to mix it up and use both styles because they both work. You could try this: Counter off the front foot. Basically walk people down on the end of your jab and counter anything they give you. If they pressure you (which they always will sooner or later), just stand your ground and beat them back then go back to countering. It's ok to back up but only to draw them onto a counter. Basically mantain your distance but control the center of the ring and BEAT THE HELL OUT OF THEM if they try to take it from you.
     
  3. Celtic Warrior

    Celtic Warrior Active Member Full Member

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    That's good advice.

    'Hold the centre of the ring' is a term I often hear but need to put into practice.
     
  4. scrap

    scrap Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I sometimes think people dont understand, the Term Fighting of the Back Foot. People who back of sometimes, are still on the Front Foot. While those who go forward, are correctly on there Back Foot. See it a lot. One way of finding out how your balance is, is switch to Southpaw for a minute, see if the posture is different, and balance.
     
  5. BagsWithDust

    BagsWithDust Well-Known Member Full Member

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    same here, my coaches always tell me that if you are a fighter who has good legs and likes to box on the outside, "stay in the ****ing middle". as a boxer if you can control the fight in the middle and never make it back to the ropes then you are pretty well off
     
  6. Celtic Warrior

    Celtic Warrior Active Member Full Member

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  7. scrap

    scrap Boxing Addict Full Member

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