Which stance wins?

[AddiX]

I don't believe anyone should be boxing without a base of fighting with both hands up at your chin and elbows guarding your ribs. It takes a long time and a lot of experience to be able to fight any other way IMO. And if notice guys like

Abraham, Wright, Quartey, these guys didnt get hurt very often and never got KO'ed.

Young fighters think they can go in doing Mayweather and Roy jones. Those guys don't last. Even Mayweather kept his hands up when he fought Jab, you gotta have that base stance IMO.

[John Hue]

Many of you notice that there is a difference between the modern and classic boxing stances. Which stance do you think is better and can be easier to execute?

Modern stance:


Classic stance:


*Don't mind the pictures by the way, just a way to demonstrate each stance.*

I was just watching this video of Charley Burley and by this video, it looks like the dude was a genius at what he did but unfortunately never got the chance to fight for a title.

Look at the two photos, which gives you more of a target to hit? I khow which stance I would rather face ,the one that gives me more openings and takes power from the right hand. The modern stance is too square on which means the left shoulder is ****ed and great for adding power to left hooks but takes power away from the right hand as the right shoulder is too far forward. Also the tendency with the modern stance is to not cover the chin with the right hand as the right shoulder is too far forward.With the classic stance the right hand slots in right by the chin where it should be, because the right shoulder is back there is plenty of power in the right hand. The left shoulder is closer to the target so you fire quicker jabs and the left shoulder is protecting the chin.You have to have fantastic reflexes to get away with the modern stance IMO the classic stance is more sound both defensively and offensively. Mayweather, and the Sugar Rays and pretty well all the great boxers have the classic stance although many great fighters use the modern stance.

['Sugar' Freddi]

Look at the two photos, which gives you more of a target to hit? I khow which stance I would rather face ,the one that gives me more openings and takes power from the right hand. The modern stance is too square on which means the left shoulder is ****ed and great for adding power to left hooks but takes power away from the right hand as the right shoulder is too far forward. Also the tendency with the modern stance is to not cover the chin with the right hand as the right shoulder is too far forward.With the classic stance the right hand slots in right by the chin where it should be, because the right shoulder is back there is plenty of power in the right hand. The left shoulder is closer to the target so you fire quicker jabs and the left shoulder is protecting the chin.You have to have fantastic reflexes to get away with the modern stance IMO the classic stance is more sound both defensively and offensively. Mayweather, and the Sugar Rays and pretty well all the great boxers have the classic stance although many great fighters use the modern stance.

Great post, that is exactly the way I see the differences between the two. Honestly, I would rather choose the classic stance for all the reasons you mentioned. The classic stance seems to take more punishment, which is why now days the guys don't have as my fights and still some end up with brain damage while back then, you had boxers fighting with over 200 fights and were pretty okay in their head. That's just my take but I might be wrong.

[John Hue]

The hips and shoulders should also be lined up and not at odds with each-other. In the classic stance you present less of the chest to the target with the right foot further back this allows you to evade shots by moving the upper body back within the stance WITHOUT having to resort to footwork . This meens you can slip backwards and are in a position to move the upper boddy forward like a cobra within ballance to strike which is a must for good counter punching. You can't do this so well with the modern stance as the right foot is further forward so you need to resort to footwork on the retreat and have less options open to you.As Sugar' Freddi correctly points out the classic stance is far better for defence ,the chin is fully protected with the left shoulder protecting the chin but out of that crab like defence when you get in the pocket you can fire your counters. Watch Mayweather as an example his shoulders are not square on lined up at a tight angle towards the opponent.He gets into the pocket picks off the shots with his defence and then looks to counter he knows against the modern defence in any exchange the odds favour him. Mayweather Hatton is classic example.Another great example of the classic vs modern stance match up is Ike Williams vs. Beau Jack. Both tough fighters but the William's set up/stance paved the way to victory.all things being equal with fighters being of the same standard I would back the classic stance over the modern stance every time.

[Suckmedry]

I fought a kid with that old school "classic" sort of stance, bigger than me, he was aggressive but easy to counter, a lot of those guys with the old school style don't bring their hands back in to their face, very easy to hit inbetween punches.

Beat him easy, needless to say.

[EzzardFan]

A stance is just a combination of the default posture and the default guard. The big problem with traditional martial arts is that it sees fighting as a progression of stances rather than something fluid.

I'll alternate between:

High guard with my hands either side of my face.

Standard guard with my rear hand by the side of my head, my chin tucked into my right shoulder, and my lead arm extended slightly.

Low guard with my rear hand by the side of my head, my lead hand covering my groin, and my lead shoulder pointing at the opponent.

Cross arms like Archie.

I'll alternate my stance depending on:

Build of my opponent.
Style of my opponent.
Distance.
My condition at that moment.
Whether I am attacking or defending.
My position in the ring.
To pre-empt, foil, or shutdown his attack.
Just to feint him.
To draw him.

I'll also alternate between standing straight an crouching, again depending on the circumstances.

So the stance itself is unimportant. It's just a high stakes game of scissors paper stone played at high speed. What matters is the fluidity of movement.

But one thing is for sure, from the moment that bell rings I'm never just standing still adopting a classic or modern stance, oh no no no.

[Eric Holder]

that Charley Burley video was awesome

[Talon]

yea good video. i learned somethin.. i wish there were more of those