Why are backhands illegal?

Because they're not manly. Punch a man in his face straightaway.

It is illegal and people have complained and been warned about it. Opponents of Ali used to say he would "flick" his jab and actually connect with the back hand. Right but no one has ever been arrested and prosecuted because it is not exactly illegal like I said. Like I said before I'm probably wrong but I see it as foul at best that is so rare it has never really had any impact on the sport of boxing in one way or another. Again nobody is taught or trained to throw that kind of punch in a boxing gym. I think the same is true of hammer fist strikes.

In the realm of pugilism without rules as in MARTIAL ARTS or STREET FIGHTS, of course every part of the body is a "weapon". But in the sport of boxing, it is the tactical usage of "pinpoint" hitting utilizing only the knuckles or the "front of the fists"... That's why the distinct movements developed through the sport of boxing evolved to what it is now. And thus also the sport of boxing could be "lacking" in a real life-self-defense situation wherein anything and everything used towards the preservation of one's body is a noble thing. Unless you land a devastating right hand.....:boxing: :) yup. It can be effective with hip torque just as a hook is. Indeed, a well time / well-torqued backhand slap with the right body mechanics and leverage can be devastating, let alone embarrassing to the recipient.

I don't even see how they would be even effective without spinning. The person throwing it would be extremely vulnerable. It can be effective with hip torque just as a hook is.

anyone else imagined what Calzaghe would do to his opponents if he could add that into the wndmill of death? just me?

I don't even see how they would be even effective without spinning. The person throwing it would be extremely vulnerable. I got a couple nasty backhand shots to throw. you can have a nice backhand jab that changes the trajectory of your jab. you really just need a step for them to be effective, maybe not ko type power but they could cut or bruise an eye

I think its because its disrespectful, kinda like stabbing someone from the back. Boxing is about facing your opponent face to face.

In the realm of pugilism without rules as in MARTIAL ARTS or STREET FIGHTS, of course every part of the body is a "weapon". But in the sport of boxing, it is the tactical usage of "pinpoint" hitting utilizing only the knuckles or the "front of the fists"... That's why the distinct movements developed through the sport of boxing evolved to what it is now. And thus also the sport of boxing could be "lacking" in a real life-self-defense situation wherein anything and everything used towards the preservation of one's body is a noble thing. Unless you land a devastating right hand.....:boxing:

In the realm of pugilism without rules as in MARTIAL ARTS or STREET FIGHTS, of course every part of the body is a "weapon". But in the sport of boxing, it is the tactical usage of "pinpoint" hitting utilizing only the knuckles or the "front of the fists"... That's why the distinct movements developed through the sport of boxing evolved to what it is now. And thus also the sport of boxing could be "lacking" in a real life-self-defense situation wherein anything and everything used towards the preservation of one's body is a noble thing.

I don't even see how they would be even effective without spinning. The person throwing it would be extremely vulnerable.

It is definitely not counted as a scoring punch within the rules and therefore it is not a punch that anybody really trains to throw. I'm probably completely wrong, but I don't think a back hand is exactly illegal. I don't remember seeing a fighter warned about it in the ring like an elbow or rabbit punch. Also you would have to point your elbow at your opponent before flicking out your forearm which is very hazardous to both their incoming punches and head. Ali sometimes used a sort of back hand up jab and Froch is another example, its not quite the same as a regular up jab as you are extending it at an angle. It is illegal and people have complained and been warned about it. Opponents of Ali used to say he would "flick" his jab and actually connect with the back hand.

It is definitely not counted as a scoring punch within the rules and therefore it is not a punch that anybody really trains to throw. I'm probably completely wrong, but I don't think a back hand is exactly illegal. I don't remember seeing a fighter warned about it in the ring like an elbow or rabbit punch. Also you would have to point your elbow at your opponent before flicking out your forearm which is very hazardous to both their incoming punches and head. Ali sometimes used a sort of back hand up jab and Froch is another example, its not quite the same as a regular up jab as you are extending it at an angle.

Anyone know??? I believe that it is because many years ago, an old time fighter (used to know his name but cand now recall) unexpectedly KO'd his opponent using what he called "the pivot punch" which was done by extending his arm and spinning around suddenly, rather like they do in MMA. It was so surprising that it was considered unsporting and against the rules of boxing which were to hit the opponent with that part of the CLOSED FIST involving the KNUCKLES. It was specifically made illegal. I am not certain that there is much less padding on the back than the knuckle part of a glove, but even if there is, a knuckle blow is much more powerful than a backhanded blow. If you recall, pre mandatory glove fights were known as "bare knuckle fights".

Foreman too, he'd slapped guys than push em.

why? would you like to see fighters using that? I think it would add an entirely new dimension to the game to be honest. There's so much you can do with it. Imagine speedy guys with long reach flicking backhands like jabs with slightly more power. Power punchers being able to protect themselves from being countered when they overreach with the right bomb. Being able to counter inside fighters from all sorts of weird angles you normally would never be able to. So many practical uses im just wondering why its never been implementrd

Muhammad Ali used to throw the jab out and sometimes keep it extended into his opponent's face; while the jab was extended he would backhand or "swat" his opponent. It's actually kind of funny to watch Ali do it and it was more a nusance than to inflict damage...

Reserved for Pimps to keep their ho's in check.

why? would you like to see fighters using that?

You kind of just answered it right there. Back hands are seen as unsportsman like. Queensbury rules changed the way the sport was practiced and it was made to be seem more as a gentleman's sport. I wonder why its unsportsmanlike. Me and a buddy were playing around with backhands at the gym the other day and it adds a whole new level of strategy. Shots that you would counter suddenly reduce you to covering up because it would come right back

Because its a slap not a punch