Fighting a guy who smothers?

[2ofEverything]

Well I just lost my first fight (other thread on it) and just analysed the videos a few times. The biggest problem I had is that I'm a tall guy (6'4) and I always aim to use my reach and keep shorter fighters at range. But this guy just walked into me and went toe to toe from the first second. He had me on the ropes nearly the whole fight. I tried to pivot out but I felt like there was nowhere to go. I tried to push him off but I just didn't have the energy. What should I do next time? He forced me to fight his fight.

[AddiX]

Do the Klitschko and lean on him, it really wears down the opponents legs.

Heavyweight is a much different world than the other weights, which is why promoters take so much longer developing them.

Because heavys can end it in one shot you gotta learn the kittle cheats and tricks of the sport.

[Suckmedry]

Jab, Jab, Jab, Jab..Its all in the jab, and using lateral movement to stay off the ropes


Assert your jab from the very beginning. Throw it out there straight and hard, move off to the side. Repeat every time he tries to get into range. Throw the right hand behind it sometimes.

But just asserting that hard jab from the start is what will win vs the swarmers. Make him not want to come in. Also feint with its harder for him to time it and get inside.

[Rockin']

Do the Klitschko and lean on him, it really wears down the opponents legs.

Heavyweight is a much different world than the other weights, which is why promoters take so much longer developing them.

Because heavys can end it in one shot you gotta learn the kittle cheats and tricks of the sport.

In the Ams he'll get called for it.

Jab, Jab, Jab, Jab..Its all in the jab, and using lateral movement to stay off the ropes


Assert your jab from the very beginning. Throw it out there straight and hard, move off to the side. Repeat every time he tries to get into range. Throw the right hand behind it sometimes.

But just asserting that hard jab from the start is what will win vs the swarmers. Make him not want to come in. Also feint with its harder for him to time it and get inside.

I always tried to get their respect early by throwing hard right off the bat, get some respect and more importantly some space to work. If that didn't work and he's still on me than I would try to employ the jab with good movement to both sides and made sure to land hard and stay overly busy whenever he was close. Try to make him leery of coming in on you.

Some guys you can get to back off a bit by hurting them, some guys you can't.

Take sides and work angles during your combos. Stay out of straight line work, take him all over that ring.

Unless of course you're battering him when he is close, then you may just let him come in on you.
You could stand your ground rolling and returning his shots.

You'd better have shown up properly prepared to fight every second of every round. That's the kind of shape these in yer face fighters generally show up in...........

[Suckmedry]

In the Ams he'll get called for it.



I always tried to get their respect early by throwing hard right off the bat, get some respect and more importantly some space to work. If that didn't work and he's still on me than I would try to employ the jab with good movement to both sides and made sure to land hard and stay overly busy whenever he was close. Try to make him leery of coming in on you.

Some guys you can get to back off a bit by hurting them, some guys you can't.

Take sides and work angles during your combos. Stay out of straight line work, take him all over that ring.

Unless of course you're battering him when he is close, then you may just let him come in on you.
You could stand your ground rolling and returning his shots.

You'd better have shown up properly prepared to fight every second of every round. That's the kind of shape these in yer face fighters generally show up in...........

A trainer who sparred John Mugabi told me that Mugabi said always hit the opponent your hardest in the first 30 seconds, to as you said give yourself some space but also to let them know they are in a fight and get in their head a little.

[PitbullParsons]

Strong jabs and footwork. Start off with some really heavy shot so he wants to think twice about coming in. If that doesn't work then you better have good footwork. If that still doesn't help, **** his body hard and keep at it until your footwork can get you out of it. Clinch and get the breaks, do your best to keep him from getting back inside. First fight against a swarmer is good, just don't let it discourage you.

[Bozbay]

Well I just lost my first fight (other thread on it) and just analysed the videos a few times. The biggest problem I had is that I'm a tall guy (6'4) and I always aim to use my reach and keep shorter fighters at range. But this guy just walked into me and went toe to toe from the first second. He had me on the ropes nearly the whole fight. I tried to pivot out but I felt like there was nowhere to go. I tried to push him off but I just didn't have the energy. What should I do next time? He forced me to fight his fight.

1) Jab, Jab, Jab. Keep the guy at bay.
2) Sticky shots. Keep the jab out there and shield him off. If you throw a right hand, keep the hand on him and move his head into position for another shot. Like Floyd did against Ricky Hatton.
3) Lean on him. It drains the energy out of him.
4) Throw some nasty body shots early, take the breathe out of him and gain respect.
5) Counterpunch as much as possible. Make him hesitant & he will slow down that extra second so you can land a shot of your own.
6) Lateral movement. Don't move the whole fight, just move sharply when you can feel yourself near the ropes. Faint one way then exit throw the other.
7) Check hook. It works well against shorter fighters. Pivot out to your left. They will hate it.
8) Give him different angles and body positions when you're in the center. I know it sounds very simple but varying the way you look constantly will make your opponent think that extra second. Floyd did it well... one second he is giving you the shoulder-roll stance, then the high guard stance, then he drops his hands etc. Roy Jones was effective with this move too.
9)Turn out when you tie up. As soon as you clinch, turn your back away from the ropes so you have the whole ring to walk back into when you start fighting again. Roy Jones mastered this.
10) Measure your distance well. If you walk back and insure he is slightly out of range, you can walk him into a big straight right. Set traps for that lil guy.

[SalimShady1212]

Watch Kell Brook vs Shawn Porter, really good example. Use straight punches to exploit your reach and check hooks when your opponents rush in.

[BarryRobinson]

This particular fight is a beautiful seminar on how not to get smothered.

Here are a couple examples I cut up

Take film study to the gym. Break it down into the simplest form. Boring. 3 min Drills. Strive for mastery. Then start to "Advance the drill". This is just floor work.

[Box-Office]

Well I just lost my first fight (other thread on it) and just analysed the videos a few times. The biggest problem I had is that I'm a tall guy (6'4) and I always aim to use my reach and keep shorter fighters at range. But this guy just walked into me and went toe to toe from the first second. He had me on the ropes nearly the whole fight. I tried to pivot out but I felt like there was nowhere to go. I tried to push him off but I just didn't have the energy. What should I do next time? He forced me to fight his fight.

Bum!

Just kidding, but like others said establish the jab and keep them at bay. Watch Wlad's fights for instance.