[kranker66]

-Great thread 'Umy'!...
I got a question for ya,
I know you discussed counter punching earlier,
but along that same line is there also ways to 'read'
any of the known punches when there about to be coming?
-This would give yourself a quicker counter punching reaction
and give you the upperhand in a fight.

Thanks, keep up the good work.

[Umy]

Well this is something that will only really come with practice, specific punches are blocked in specific ways.

When fighters are taught to block and parry in our gym fighters take turns in either throwing or defending against punches we first go through the motions slowly so that the newer fighter gets a feel for the blocks and also the other fighter gets to focus on correct technique when throwing the shots, as time goes by you start to see these punches coming and start blocking them without even knowing you are, this is when your defensive techniques start to become more like second nature to you.

How long it takes depends on how long you drill for. Mike tyson has amazing reflexes and many try to imitate his slipping, bobbing and weaving style with little success, it is said that Cus Damato (Tysons trainer) made Mike slip, bob and weave against his sparring partners and not throw a single punch for 2 years, also if any of you have seen mike on his slip bag (small tear shaped bag full of rags or sand about the size of a hand that swings rapidly) you would know why his defensive skills were so good.

Another method other than blocking and parrying are corner drills, one person stands in a corner whilst another throws shots at them, this will help develop head movement and defense in general and will help kill the habit of flinching when being punched and also getting used to being pressurised.

Range is another important thing, you should know what punches to deal with in what range you are in (close = hooks, uppercuts. medium = crosses, jabs, Far = jabs ect)

Finally telegraphing, if you opponent telegraphs you will be able to see things coming, an old saying in boxing is to read the hips, if you do you will know that a punch will be coming from the side thats moving.

Hope it helps,

anything else needed just ask (except for money :P )

[kranker66]

-Great info 'Umy', thanks.

[Umy]

anytime bro

[kranker66]

...another question for the King...

-Boxers only have one stance, right?
I mean they don't switch stance or maybe some do?
I dunno...

[Umy]

It depends on what you mean by one stance, we are taught one way to stand, but we could have 2 (orthodox or left hand in front and southpaw or right hand in front).

Also some fighters are taught more of a peek-a-boo type stance to that of the traditional boxing stance, some fighters change the way they hold their guard depending on their opponent, for example a smaller fighter keeping his hands a touch higher (or in most cases crouching a bit more) against a taller fighter to protect his head, a taller fighter standing a lot more straight enabling him to use his reach and height over a shorter boxer, tightening you guard against an aggressive opponent etc.

I think I have covered the basic stance in a bit of detail in this article:

http://www.fightauthority.com/forum/...le.php?aid=150

hope it helps

umy

[kranker66]

-Yeah. That's what I meant,
either an Orthodox or Southpaw stance.
They don't switch them up.

Thanx. Great info as always.

[kranker66]

Umy
-...Just off the top of my head,
This is totally hypothetical but possible, with two fighters for all purposes being equal, except that (F1) is an inside fighter, and (F2) is an outside fighter, who would you hedge your bets on?

Cheers

[Umy]

I dont think its a case of what range they are good in but more of a case of how well they can keep that range.

So to answer your question the guy who keeps the range he works best at.

I think its pretty hard to judge a fight from that perspective, I think id have to have some basic info on the fighters first.

Plus, im not much of a betting man

[kranker66]

Umy

This is a great Q & A thread you got here,
'cause I got a boatload of questions (well a few anyway).

- When doing rounds on the heavy bag, should you work up to rounds
as the pros: 12-15 rds, 3minutes ea.? Would that be a solid long term goal?,
or varying the time of the rounds be better, say a few 3 minute rds.
then maybe a 4 minute maybe up to a 5 minute round?

Comments totally appreciated.

Cheers