Breaking Floyd's defence

[Mugwump]

Picking up from a post someone else made recently regarding Chris Eubank I thought it might be interesting to discuss a comment he made about circumventing Floyd's ubiquitous shoulder roll defence.

"People suggest you need to jab, jab, jab that slippery defensive style Mayweather has, but that is incorrect because he is waiting to catch the jab all night long with his right hand and counter. I would suggest the right uppercut is the punch to utilize against that particular stance that Mayweather likes to use, strategically thinking because it will force Mayweather to actually change the position of his right glove in order to block it and obviously then there is an opportunity to get in a left hook, whereas before the left hook would've been easily blocked of course because the right hand in that stance would be right in the right position to block a left hook.So I think right uppercut - left hook - right hand is the punch sequencing.

Eubank is always good value for a comment (why SKY doesn't ditch the dreadful combination of Nelson and McKenzie in favour of him I have no idea) and I was particularly interested by this statement. I've been mulling the tactic over in my mind for the past week and after watching several of Floyd's older fights I'm still undecided.

Fighters are usually averse to deploying the uppercut often because it exposes the head to a counter. And Floyd is arguably the best counterpuncher in the game right now. That said, I do see the logic in Eubank's thinking. It's a risky manoeuvre and you'd need both good speed and skills to execute it perfectly - which kind of rules out many fighters hovering around Floyd's weight range. Pac could pull it off. But whether he'd be prepared to move away from the straight right I'm not sure.

I've seen fighters use the uppercut against Floyd before. But I don't recall seeing anyone use it concertedly as a means bypassing the shoulder roll. Perhaps someone else can help on this question?

Eubank's comment about the uselessness of the jab seems more a damning indictment of the jab in modern boxing than anything else, IMO. It wasn't all that long ago that most fighters possessed not just a functioning jab but a hurtful and damaging one. Unfortunately over the last couple of decades it has, for the most part, turned into a half-hearted pawing rangefinder as fighters instead choose to load up the heavy artillery from the opening bell. Indeed, things have become so bad that you can often sit through rounds in which not a single jab is thrown!

Regardless of the usefulness of the uppercut I do think a properly executed, hurtful, accurate and - most importantly - repetitive jab is essential to troubling Floyd. At the very least it contests the tempo of the fight - something Floyd is determined control. Keep the jab in Floyd's face and he simply has to emerge from behind his fortress-like defence. If he doesn't he risks losing rounds on workrate alone - as Leonard did in the opening rounds against Tommy Hearns.

Of course, there is always the possibility that Floyd will come out to fight and beat you anyway. But at least he's fighting on your terms. Not his.

Unfortunately, I can't think of too many fighters who possess a good enough jab to make this work. Manny has the speed, accuracy and workrate. But I doubt whether he'd use it often enough. On the other hand his stable-mate, Khan, has developed a very useful jab under Freddie Roach. It is accurate, fast and pretty heavy. But could Khan (who is still pretty young and inexperienced) remain calm and stay on the plan for twelve rounds? I have my doubts.

Aside from these two I can think of too many others. Anyone else?

Opening the discussion up - if you trained a hot prospect about to fight Floyd Mayweather what tactics would you favour (aside from entering the ring with a sawn-off shotgun)?

Moving on - I also found this comment interesting

"But the thing with Mayweather is he is very sharp, I know for a fact he is petrified of losing because the more fear you have of losing the better your reflexes work, I know that. His reflexes are very sharp. You must be a very sharp shooter and strategic thinker to defeat him, or you must not pose any fear or threat to him in his opinion for his reflexes not to work like they should work."

I think Eubank really does capture at least one possible champion mindset with this statement. I know from playing sport that a healthy dose of fear does wonders for your reflexes. And nothing blunts their edge more than complacency.

[GrandpaBernard]

Originally Posted by Mugwump

Picking up from a post someone else made recently regarding Chris Eubank I thought it might be interesting to discuss a comment he made about circumventing Floyd's ubiquitous shoulder roll defence.

"People suggest you need to jab, jab, jab that slippery defensive style Mayweather has, but that is incorrect because he is waiting to catch the jab all night long with his right hand and counter. I would suggest the right uppercut is the punch to utilize against that particular stance that Mayweather likes to use, strategically thinking because it will force Mayweather to actually change the position of his right glove in order to block it and obviously then there is an opportunity to get in a left hook, whereas before the left hook would've been easily blocked of course because the right hand in that stance would be right in the right position to block a left hook.So I think right uppercut - left hook - right hand is the punch sequencing.

Eubank is always good value for a comment (why SKY doesn't ditch the dreadful combination of Nelson and McKenzie in favour of him I have no idea) and I was particularly interested by this statement. I've been mulling the tactic over in my mind for the past week and after watching several of Floyd's older fights I'm still undecided.

Fighters are usually averse to deploying the uppercut often because it exposes the head to a counter. And Floyd is arguably the best counterpuncher in the game right now. That said, I do see the logic in Eubank's thinking. It's a risky manoeuvre and you'd need both good speed and skills to execute it perfectly - which kind of rules out many fighters hovering around Floyd's weight range. Pac could pull it off. But whether he'd be prepared to move away from the straight right I'm not sure.

I've seen fighters use the uppercut against Floyd before. But I don't recall seeing anyone use it concertedly as a means bypassing the shoulder roll. Perhaps someone else can help on this question?

Eubank's comment about the uselessness of the jab seems more a damning indictment of the jab in modern boxing than anything else, IMO. It wasn't all that long ago that most fighters possessed not just a functioning jab but a hurtful and damaging one. Unfortunately over the last couple of decades it has, for the most part, turned into a half-hearted pawing rangefinder as fighters instead choose to load up the heavy artillery from the opening bell. Indeed, things have become so bad that you can often sit through rounds in which not a single jab is thrown!

Regardless of the usefulness of the uppercut I do think a properly executed, hurtful, accurate and - most importantly - repetitive jab is essential to troubling Floyd. At the very least it contests the tempo of the fight - something Floyd is determined control. Keep the jab in Floyd's face and he simply has to emerge from behind his fortress-like defence. If he doesn't he risks losing rounds on workrate alone - as Leonard did in the opening rounds against Tommy Hearns.

Of course, there is always the possibility that Floyd will come out to fight and beat you anyway. But at least he's fighting on your terms. Not his.

Unfortunately, I can't think of too many fighters who possess a good enough jab to make this work. Manny has the speed, accuracy and workrate. But I doubt whether he'd use it often enough. On the other hand his stable-mate, Khan, has developed a very useful jab under Freddie Roach. It is accurate, fast and pretty heavy. But could Khan (who is still pretty young and inexperienced) remain calm and stay on the plan for twelve rounds? I have my doubts.

Aside from these two I can think of too many others. Anyone else?

Opening the discussion up - if you trained a hot prospect about to fight Floyd Mayweather what tactics would you favour (aside from entering the ring with a sawn-off shotgun)?

Moving on - I also found this comment interesting

"But the thing with Mayweather is he is very sharp, I know for a fact he is petrified of losing because the more fear you have of losing the better your reflexes work, I know that. His reflexes are very sharp. You must be a very sharp shooter and strategic thinker to defeat him, or you must not pose any fear or threat to him in his opinion for his reflexes not to work like they should work."

I think Eubank really does capture at least one possible champion mindset with this statement. I know from playing sport that a healthy dose of fear does wonders for your reflexes. And nothing blunts their edge more than complacency.

I don't think Eubank has watched enough Mayweather tape.

Floyd isn't ever open for uppers due to his amazing positioning. Marquez has some legendary uppercuts and couldn't even manage to land even one. The only guy who managed to land uppercuts was Zab, who had a very good uppercut along with reflexes. Zab hid his uppercut behind his shoulder Jamez Toney style.

[F l i c k e r]

You need speed and a left hook to get past it.

Think about it. The only time Ortiz landed was what? A left hook off the bum rush.

Mosley? Looping ass hook.

Judah? Short hook made his glove touch the canvas. (albeit right hook)

You combine high end speed. Hand speed above Floyd's. With the left hook. You've got a recipe for success. Specially if you bombard him with many punches then sneak a hard left hook in. If the guy had some good pop. I'd favor that guy.

Just be prepared to get grabbed when you come in too hard.

[Sam Donald]

a fighter who could break floyds defence is pacquaio

someone who throws a barrage of punches and is an elite fighter of his own

i think duran, leonard both beat floyd.. benitez drops a decision, hagler is too big and i dont think floyd would have fought hearns lol

[New England]

i had a BEAST of a post written up. not saying it was good. saying it was LONG
long as ****, bros

i went through the reasons why i thought:
hearns would knock mayweather mid rounds
leonard would decision him
burley would decision him
robinson would knock him out mid rounds


but friggin boxingscene or boxrec made my **** freeze up

not happy about it at all lol


he basic theme was that although it might be possible to box with him and be victorious for a truly great boxer, the ideal gameplan would be to impose oneself physically and act on physical advantages, like strength, punching power, durability. most importantly physical strength.
strength to keep your hands free
strength to work the body and break his defenses down




maybe i'll get back to it later.

[DarkTerror88]

High Workrate. Like Frazier and MArciano style. NONSTOP for 15 rounds. Good body punching and good power. And a Helluva chin.

If you can force a higher workrate, sap his stamina through body punches and be able to hurt him, you will roughhouse and brutalize him to a decision win.

I wish i was a well known ranked pro because thats how i fight.

[New England]

Originally Posted by DarkTerror88

High Workrate. Like Frazier and MArciano style. NONSTOP for 15 rounds. Good body punching and good power. And a Helluva chin.

If you can force a higher workrate, sap his stamina through body punches and be able to hurt him, you will roughhouse and brutalize him to a decision win.

I wish i was a well known ranked pro because thats how i fight.

curiously, brother, what weight are you at these days?

[DarkTerror88]

Originally Posted by New England

curiously, brother, what weight are you at these days?

If i starve myself i can make 147. but i walk around at 157-160. I usually fight at middleweight. I have no problem outfighting the blokes who actually weight 167.
Not the dog in the fight, but fight in the dog type deal.

[New England]

Originally Posted by DarkTerror88

If i starve myself i can make 147. but i walk around at 157-160. I usually fight at middleweight. I have no problem outfighting the blokes who actually weight 167.
Not the dog in the fight, but fight in the dog type deal.

darkterror vs maywather 2012

[DarkTerror88]

Originally Posted by New England

darkterror vs maywather 2012

Rocco Sorziano vs Floyd Mayweather Junior. "The Rock of His Times"

ME and my gym buddies have come up with that name haha.

I spar with a heavyweight that is stylisticly oddly similar to floyd.