There is some fights like the Briggs fight when he completely drops his hands and lets Briggs take full shots on him before Lewis knocks him down.
He kept his hands down a lot when fighting Holyfield too especially in the first fight.
Is there a reason he did this? I've been taught by my trainer to always keep my hands up, but what was Lewis' reason for always keeping his hands down?
Because he was a tall, long fighter. Those very long arms (and a beautiful jab) are what allowed him to keep his hands low when he had his opponent at a distance where he could land but they couldn't. Sometimes it backfired.
Thanks. I understand now.
But why did he keep his hands down though? Was he conserving energy?
Because he was a tall, long fighter. Those very long arms (and a beautiful jab) are what allowed him to keep his hands low when he had his opponent at a distance where he could land but they couldn't. Sometimes it backfired.
Ali is a better example. It can open your guy up. If you show your opponent something, but you know what hes looking at and are aware of the opening your giving. You can really sit on a counter shot with some serious power.
Keeping your hands down can create opportunities for a vicious counter punch. He had the confidence to use this strategy. Unfortunately it backfired with Rahman.