Was the neck ever a target in old school boxing?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by MixedMartialLaw, Aug 29, 2026 at 11:40 AM.

  1. MixedMartialLaw

    MixedMartialLaw Combat sports enthusiast Full Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2021
    Messages:
    2,346
    Likes Received:
    3,741
    I'm curious following a KO that just happened in the UFC where the shot appeared to land fully on the neck trap area of the opponent totally shutting his lights out.

    I know the heart used to be a popular area old school boxers would target for but what about the artery filled sides of the neck?
     
  2. ThatOne

    ThatOne Boxing Addict Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2022
    Messages:
    6,741
    Likes Received:
    9,244
    Seems unchivalrous.
     
    slash likes this.
  3. Ioakeim Tzortzakis

    Ioakeim Tzortzakis "The David Haye of Loma's Gay" -Edgar Allan Poe Full Member

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2020
    Messages:
    2,088
    Likes Received:
    7,348
    Probably. ****ing everything was a target back then. Frank Klaus advocated hitting the funny bone and Benny Leonard advocated for above the eye tooth.
     
    Seamus and Fergy like this.
  4. Flavius

    Flavius Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2023
    Messages:
    145
    Likes Received:
    154
    In the first fight between Jeffries and Corbett both boxers landed several times on the opponent's neck.
     
  5. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2009
    Messages:
    24,600
    Likes Received:
    29,301
    Norton vs Bobick.
     
  6. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2012
    Messages:
    29,608
    Likes Received:
    20,148
    Not if you don’t have one.
     
  7. MixedMartialLaw

    MixedMartialLaw Combat sports enthusiast Full Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2021
    Messages:
    2,346
    Likes Received:
    3,741
    NoNeck likes this.
  8. Melankomas

    Melankomas Corbett beats your favourite fighter

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2022
    Messages:
    8,303
    Likes Received:
    10,060
    It was VERY MUCH a target, you find plenty of neck punches when reading about Sullivan’s fights for example
     
    MixedMartialLaw likes this.
  9. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2005
    Messages:
    66,139
    Likes Received:
    53,532
    I used to shoot for the Adam's apple when available.