Is boxing becoming a game of Cat and Mouse?

[The Champions]

Seems like boxing is evolving into a combat sport with 2 types of fighters, those that are referred to as "Brawlers" and those referred to as "Runners" neither term I necessarily agree with but needless to say, most prize fights of this generation (passed 10yrs) have consisted of both these so called boxers. Im not one to harp on boxers of prior generations but when you look back at the 70s, 80s, 90s, even early 2000s, guys that used their legs (so called runners) wouldnt use their legs all 12-15rds to avoid a fight, theyd move for foot placement to let their hands go. As for pressure fighters (so called brawlers) theyd actually cut off the ring and use head movement to get inside to create a fight. Either way at some point of a boxing match we'd actually see a fight.

Anyways, is this what we have to look forward to in boxing from now on? & what was it that changed about boxing this generation and what will it take to change it for the future?

boxing has ALWAYS been like that.

Brawlers and Boxers

[The Champions]

Just Floyd, with his scaredy-cat(mouse?) punching. Even Rigondeaux puts something into his punches.

^^^^^^ dumb mofo right here

[Dinamita 03]

Stepping in with the jab, definitely died out. Cotto does it well but without a notable right hand to go with it. I was watching Duran-Palomino the other day, look at how Duran gets out of the clinch whilst going to work. Nowadays, we're left with fans making excuses for their guy

Herrera is one of few modern fighters who work their way out of a clinch.

[Boxfan83]

I will address this post even though it looks kind of like a veiled "I am mad Pac lost" post. Anyone who uses the term running/runner is usually someone who is not a real boxing fan or just casually watches the sport. I think it is hilarious how people seem to think there are just brawlers and runners, that's it. There are inside fighters, outside fighters, brawlers, boxers, punchers, boxer-punchers, defensive fighters, counter-punchers.

The arrival of the UFC/MMA I feel is what has caused people to feel this way. Boxing is a very very deeply skilled sport which takes years to build skills in. It is a deep/narrow skillset which was very respected until the MMA came on the scene, where basically someone who wrestled in HS can be a world champion. The distinctions have always been around (movers/boxers like Tunney, Pep, Ali, SRL, etc. and brawlers like Dempsey, Basilio, Gatti, etc.). The difference is just magnified now because people watch MMA and see two barely skilled in boxing guys throw haymakers at each other until one one of them collapses. Sure it is entertaining but what I have learned over the years is that the less skilled fighters are, the more entertaining they are, so to speak.

Anyone who thinks boxers like Floyd, Ward, etc. simply run, has no idea the intricacies of the sweet science at all. Moving so someone cannot hit you is now apparently called "running" and being "chicken" which is absurd. As I have said many times, go watch the UFC or a toughman contest if you want to see two idiots beating each others faces in like ******s on a playground. Boxing is not the sport for you.

Why would I be mad Pac lost? I was ecstatic when Marquez KO'd him. & If you look Ward is one of my favorite boxers (a so called NSB runner/grabber). The reason I specifically made this thread is because of reasons why I normally make my other treads. Its because I dont like to respond negatively to "dumb" threads I see because I dont want to waste my time. & today (and lately) I seen a lot of posts boxers being called runners and brawlers and although I dont agree with the terms, I have noticed most boxers of this era do hold true to some of these claims. This wasnt particular to Floyd or Manny because personally I am tired of hearing about them both. I also made this post because most people are being turned off to boxing for some of the same reasons I posted because it looks to most as a game of cat & mouse. Seems to me like you are insecure about your favorite boxer if youd assume I would call him a runner, but fyi I think Floyd and Manny are both GREAT at what they do, just Floyds superior.

[SplitSecond]

No one calls Ward a runner. Some see him as a rough and dirty fighter.

[Boxfan83]

Stepping in with the jab, definitely died out. Cotto does it well but without a notable right hand to go with it. I was watching Duran-Palomino the other day, look at how Duran gets out of the clinch whilst going to work. Nowadays, we're left with fans making excuses for their guy

I agree, people also complain about clinching but theres ways to avoid that as you mentioned in Duran vs Palomino. Cotto has a great jab and did a great job stepping in also against Floyd, problem was he wasnt quick enough on his feet to avoid the counter right with his left hand down.

[Boxfan83]

I will address this post even though it looks kind of like a veiled "I am mad Pac lost" post. Anyone who uses the term running/runner is usually someone who is not a real boxing fan or just casually watches the sport. I think it is hilarious how people seem to think there are just brawlers and runners, that's it. There are inside fighters, outside fighters, brawlers, boxers, punchers, boxer-punchers, defensive fighters, counter-punchers.

The arrival of the UFC/MMA I feel is what has caused people to feel this way. Boxing is a very very deeply skilled sport which takes years to build skills in. It is a deep/narrow skillset which was very respected until the MMA came on the scene, where basically someone who wrestled in HS can be a world champion. The distinctions have always been around (movers/boxers like Tunney, Pep, Ali, SRL, etc. and brawlers like Dempsey, Basilio, Gatti, etc.). The difference is just magnified now because people watch MMA and see two barely skilled in boxing guys throw haymakers at each other until one one of them collapses. Sure it is entertaining but what I have learned over the years is that the less skilled fighters are, the more entertaining they are, so to speak.

Anyone who thinks boxers like Floyd, Ward, etc. simply run, has no idea the intricacies of the sweet science at all. Moving so someone cannot hit you is now apparently called "running" and being "chicken" which is absurd. As I have said many times, go watch the UFC or a toughman contest if you want to see two idiots beating each others faces in like ******s on a playground. Boxing is not the sport for you.

Oh but I do agree with your last 2 paragraphs just not your assumption about me.

[Boxfan83]

Herrera is one of few modern fighters who work their way out of a clinch.

Because he is one of the few that knows how to roll with a punch and work at the same time, which too is another lost art. People nowadays want to refer to JCC as a brawler thatd take 2-3 to the "iron chin" to get 1 but JCC moved well with a punch or smothered them well to take sting off. I think boxing needs to go back to $$$ for winning, then people will become craftier.

[The Gambler1981]

It's a game of styles. If a fighter with quick feet can use that to his advantage he will.

I would put it a bit differently although how you said it is not wrong.

Boxing is a game of making it work, making your abilities work against the guy you are facing. Sometimes a guy is at a style disadvantage, but a guy still needs to find a way to make their style work even in the most disadvantaged position.

If a guy has an advantage using it is what they need to be doing and it makes thing easier on them, but it is on the other guy to find a way to make things harder for that guy forcing them out of their advantages.

[[HORUS] REBORN]

Nah that's just a ****** ass fan point of view. They view anyone who boxes defensively as a "runner" simply because they stay untouched for 12 whole rounds. This is exactly why defensive boxing and trainers who specify in defense are getting more and more popular among youths. Soon brawling bar fighters will be obsolete. Only the mentally strong boxer-punchers will remain. At least these dudes have "some" skill.