A Little Help Here People!

[whoever]

Hey Guys Im looking for some advice on fighting a smaller fighter, I am 5'11 and the guy that trains me is like 5'8. He is a pro fighter so he is pretty good. Anyway we were sparring yesterday for the first time! I had everything under control until the last 30 secs he pounced on me landing/throwing a varity of shots with speed. I naturally evade shots be leaning back (my trainer has tried to get me to stop, but now he gives up cos its a reflex i have), the words of advice he gave at the end were "u have to get lower when against the ropes". Is this right cos being taller i find that a bit hard, some tips/advice please!

p.s I know 5'11 is not very tall, its not short either!

[rj_ct]

he probably means don't square up when you're on the ropes. maintain your normal posture, even you're backed right into the ropes. don't do the rope-a-dope thing where your back is flat on the ropes and you're totally squared up.

[Marshall52582]

when fighting a smaller person you want to use your distance jab jab jab move KEEP YOUR DISTANCE and when you in the rope you need too: best thing not get there 2nd best cover up an like your coach said make your self smaller (smaller target) then when you get a chance move an if you feel good about it through a couple uper cuts or some nice body shots but the biggest things is to use your reach an keep moving

[potatoes]

Leaning backward is a bad habit which a good opponent will eventually exploit. All they have to do is time your lean, step forward into a body check and let their hands go. If they know what they are doing what you will be facing is a technical knockdown. Go ahead and protest to the referee that it was a slip, but if the punch was thrown before you fell, you will still get the count.

If your opponents tend to be shorter than you, what you need to do is perfect the jab. If you really are as fast as you claim, you will be able to win fights with only your jab.