Is not being able to understand punching range, the biggest mistake made by boxing fans?

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

I often see guys refer to fighters as “slick” or “pure boxers” or having “elite defence” or being “extremely difficult to hit” when in reality they’re just physically gifted athletes who use their height, reach, length and feet to stay out of punching range.

Garcia-Haney was a prime example of this, people often cited Haney as this great technician with true defensive skills, but the moment Garcia was in range, Haney had no answers. He wasn’t difficult to hit at all.

Same applies for Andrade, people would **** on about him being some defensive wizard, about how he’d school Canelo. When in reality he was just using his athletic talents to get in and out of range of far inferior opposition. The moment he fought Benavidez, who was able to get into punching range, he became a punching bag.

I even remember guys hyping up Tevin Farmer, comparing him to Sweet Pea, saying he’d school Tank etc, then he fought JoJo Diaz and the moment Diaz got into range, he began teeing off on Farmer.

True elite defensive fighters know how to avoid punches in punching range, look at Hopkins, Toney, Mayweather, even Canelo. You could have those guys standing in front of you and they’d still be difficult hit.

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

I suspect a lot of fans are making this same mistake in regard to Beterbiev-Bivol. Bivol largely just relies on his feet and a high guard. He’ll need more than that to keep Beterbiev off IMO.

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

It's about having quick feet. The best boxers always have fast feet and understand range. If you watch guys like Floyd and Bhop explain their defense, it's always their feet moving a half step out of the way but not to far so they can counter.

It’s about being able, to block, parry, slip, counter etc too. How many guys backed up Floyd and B-Hop to ropes only to miss 3 shots and take a straight right hand in return. Even when B-Hops legs were shot in his late 40’s, he was pretty difficult to hit.

[dan-b]

Interesting post, and a perspective I hadn't really considered directly.

My reason for picking Bivol is that his footwork will allow him to avoid the worst of Beterbiev's power (but not all of it). I'm assuming if Bivol can do that he will outwork Beterbiev for a decision.

[Smash]

it was bill and his training methods over the years, they concentrated too much on the HUG, ryan on the other hand is always developing, eg, shoulder roll, not perfected yet but certainly awkward in the ring

[_Rexy_]

Having fast feet is just part of having a great defense. You have to have the ring IQ and smarts to also parry shots, move your head, etc.

Haney has a 72 inch reach. His last 5 opponents prior to Ryan (Who has a 71 inch reach) were Prograis 67, Loma 65, Kambosos 68, Jojo 65.

A lot easier to stay out of range when you're boiling down and fighting guys with that much of a reach disadvantage.

Haney pulls back his right hand when throwing the jab. In boxing gyms, its called a "Bow and Arrow jab." and that should have been corrected a decade ago. When Ryan rocked Devin in the first 25 seconds, he was fully prepared. He ate the jab and threw the left hook at the same time.

[Smash]

Haney has a 72 inch reach. His last 5 opponents prior to Haney (Who has a 71 inch reach) were Prograis 67, Loma 65, Kambosos 68, Jojo 65.

haney has a 1 inch reach advantage on himself? one arm shorter than the other possibly? interesting

[_Rexy_]

haney has a 1 inch reach advantage on himself? one arm shorter than the other possibly? interesting

You beat my edit. Cong****. Easier to ignore everything posted and dwell on a mistake I guess.

[GrandpaBernard]

Bivol knows range

he paused mid combo to defend then countered when he fought that southpaw Mexican

a fighter who doesn’t understand range isn’t pulling that maneuver off

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

Interesting post, and a perspective I hadn't really considered directly.

My reason for picking Bivol is that his footwork will allow him to avoid the worst of Beterbiev's power (but not all of it). I'm assuming if Bivol can do that he will outwork Beterbiev for a decision.

FTR, I think Bivol can definitely win, but I find the idea he’s going to school Beterbiev ridiculous because it’s largely based on him outboxing a 5”8 Super Middleweight who doesn’t have a high output.

I think he’s going to have to show considerable toughness and resilience to beat Beterbiev. I expect it to be a really tough fight for both and I give the edge to Beterbiev. Can’t wait for it.