What Makes a Great Jab

[Mighty_Windir]

confusing one as a bait

Oh yes!

Baiting, what you said reminded me of something I learned when I watched the Hozumi Hasegawa vs Nestor Rocha fight years ago, I never forget anymore how important baiting is:



1:48

[GTTofAK]

The heavy jab is amazing in it's usefulness

But sometimes not. Watch Foreman's gold medal match that the 68 Olympics. His jab is so ****ing powerful that he cant get close enough to finish Chapulos who should have bee KOed in the first round. He jab is literally knocking Chapulos out of range of his right. He had to learn how to take something off of his jab.

[therealpugilist]

variation, timing, and technique

[therealpugilist]

Good post.

agreed

[Fury4daWIN]

The jab is the cornerstone of one's entire fighting style, and as such its usage and deployment is far more important than its merits as a punch in and of itself. A jab can look like a million bucks, but if it isn't used to facilitate the fighter's style then it doesn't matter worth a damn. Wlad's jab was brilliant not because of its snap and power (though it possessed these qualities) but because he knew exactly when and how to throw it to achieve the conditions necessary for his winning a match. Haye's jab in their fight was actually faster and snappier, but he wasn't able to get it off consistently or use it to sway the tide of the fight in his favour.

[Redd Foxx]

Purpose. It must have purpose. A lazy jab thrown for the sake of keeping busy is just asking for punishment.

A jab must be stiff enough to keep an opponent from "walking through" it. If it's not, then it must have a purpose such as blinding/distracting to set up a shot or movement. Same with speed. It must be quick enough to land and if it's not, it must be luring the opponent to do something.

With all the variables at play, ultimately, a "great jab"is the one that puts you in control of the fight.

[Boxfan83]

and please don't just say power. I always felt that Cotto's heavy jab isn't the optimal kind of jab.

Cottos jab is ideal because of his size. His ability to extend his body and make his body alot longer than it naturally is worked very well at 140 & 147 but once he fought bigger guys that advantage went away. He also kept his chin low and under his his shoulder so it did wonders for his boxer/puncher type style.

With that said, in my opinion, timing, rhythm, and reflex are the 3 biggest key traits when it comes to boxing. But specifically with the jab, most fighters dont have the patience to establish a jab from the time the bell rings and to keep it consistent. The second they get hit clean, "most" abandon it, its the most effective punch but its also the weakest hitting so again "most" get caught clean and want to get it back instead of trusting the jab, staying behind it, and varying it up until rhythm is established. The last Jessie Vargas fight was a very good example of a patient fighter that trusted his jab and it paid off. Every 2, he threw was set up by a 1 aimed (im assuming)at Ali's chest. Anyways to answer your question, I say patience make a great jab.

[Lester Tutor]

A leaping forward pinch jab like Ward's hoping left is gold. Like when Jordan would pretend to dunk but then cross with an overhand layup.

[Lester Tutor]

Cottos jab is ideal because of his size. His ability to extend his body and make his body alot longer than it naturally is worked very well at 140 & 147 but once he fought bigger guys that advantage went away. He also kept his chin low and under his his shoulder so it did wonders for his boxer/puncher type style.

With that said, in my opinion, timing, rhythm, and reflex are the 3 biggest key traits when it comes to boxing. But specifically with the jab, most fighters dont have the patience to establish a jab from the time the bell rings and to keep it consistent. The second they get hit clean, "most" abandon it, its the most effective punch but its also the weakest hitting so again "most" get caught clean and want to get it back instead of trusting the jab, staying behind it, and varying it up until rhythm is established. The last Jessie Vargas fight was a very good example of a patient fighter that trusted his jab and it paid off. Every 2, he threw was set up by a 1 aimed (im assuming)at Ali's chest. Anyways to answer your question, I say patience make a great jab.

I agree. Cottos north spear jab is among one of his best traits. Also Cotto imo is the only other boxer that aside from Rigo that balls out with a crouching guard and then resets. Cotto's a badass. Too bad he wasn't bigger, or else he'd have the confidence to really be a Middleweight in his late career.

[VG_Addict]

Who are some current fighters with great jabs?