Why are backhands illegal in boxing???

[shadeyfizzle]

I was watching videos of Tommy Hearns and Jermain Taylor working the flicker jab and thinking to myself that it's borderlining on being a backhand, thus being illegal. And it got me wondering why is it illegal?? Throwing a backhand doesnt serve any strategic advantage or pose any health hazards on the receiving end. It would add a whole new dimension to the sweet science if it was legal.

[Silencers]

Apparently in the old days, I'm talking about old, when fighters fought bare knuckled, fighters used to throw back hands to intentionally cut their opponents, so when the Marquis of Queenbury rules got instated, backhands were illegal because it could intentionally cause cuts or make cuts worse.

[Fox McCloud]

I always thought because it would be a punch that is so much more damaging than all the others.

It is with the hardest part of your hand... and you can also get the most momentum when backhanding it.

But that sounds ****** next to Silencer's explanation, so you should probably go with that.

[shadeyfizzle]

Apparently in the old days, I'm talking about old, when fighters fought bare knuckled, fighters used to throw back hands to intentionally cut their opponents, so when the Marquis of Queenbury rules got instated, backhands were illegal because it could intentionally cause cuts or make cuts worse.

But with gloves nowadays it doesnt seem like it would pose any health hazard like intentional cuts. Itd be a trip to see someone parry a big bomb only to have it come back and cause a knockdown anyway

[aussieboxer2320]

nah i like the fact boxing is only punching cos it means the fighters have to get that technique down to a fine art and utilise as best they can rather than being mediocre at everything ie: a UFC fighter

[shadeyfizzle]

nah i like the fact boxing is only punching cos it means the fighters have to get that technique down to a fine art and utilise as best they can rather than being mediocre at everything ie: a UFC fighter

Knowing how to throw and block/parry a backhand can be as much of an art as anything else. Im not talking spinning backfist like you see in ufc but a backhand. Think bitchslap but with a fist.

[tyson]

...and you can also get the most momentum when backhanding it.

But that sounds ******...

mm, yes. You're right about that

[shadeyfizzle]

Alright to help illustrate my point on how backhands would add a new intricate layer of strategy in boxing use any number of fight videos as reference.

Boxer A throws a basic 1-2 combination but misses with the right hand. Boxer B steps left and now has a beautiful angle to take advantage of the miss. Normally Boxer A would now be in a world of **** because he is now caught in a bad angle with no way to defend. If Boxer B throws a right of his own however he leaves himself just as exposed to a backhand to the body from Boxer A

2nd scenario is Boxer B sways left to avoid the the right and steps in for a counter uppercut. When Boxer B lowers his right to deliver the uppercut he can get backhanded in the face for dropping his guard.

[Silencers]

But with gloves nowadays it doesnt seem like it would pose any health hazard like intentional cuts. Itd be a trip to see someone parry a big bomb only to have it come back and cause a knockdown anyway

I guess they just haven't bothered to take away the rule.

[Talon]

thats what i was thinkin.. they should be legal. i bet james toney has one helluva bitchslap... and i met mayweather would put it to good use