Fighting a guy who smothers?

[Cuauhtémoc1520]

Using the jab isn't enough, if it was it would be the answer to everything. If you are facing a strong fighter, he will work through that.

Also, using examples of Kovalev vs Hopkins is also kind of misleading in that Kovalev is a HUGE puncher. So Bernard was hesitant to come in, yes because Kovalev used great movement and had a great game plan, but also because Hopkins knew that getting hit flush by that guy could be the end of the fight.

He was knocked down in rd 1 and that changed the dynamic of the fight immediately. Another good example would be Mathysse vs Provodnikov. He kep him off as well for the most part because if his punching power, Provo had to think twice about just falling in. Power tends to change the minds of fighters...lol

I think the answer is all of the above. Yes you have to use a jab, but you also have to hit your opponent hard, and gain his fear/respect that he cannot just walk in and smother you.

Also, it takes time to learn the inside game. I teach the inside game and it's what I was as a fighter. It's not easy, it's not given the respect the outside game is, but it's just as much a skill IMO.

You have to be physical with him, you have to make him pay for "walking through that bad neighborhood" as Teddy Atlas would say.

Keep working, and try and work on your inside game, using pushes, and side steps and try and spar bigger, stronger guys than you to prepare for this.

Good luck.

[Rockin']

Using the jab isn't enough, if it was it would be the answer to everything. If you are facing a strong fighter, he will work through that.

Also, using examples of Kovalev vs Hopkins is also kind of misleading in that Kovalev is a HUGE puncher. So Bernard was hesitant to come in, yes because Kovalev used great movement and had a great game plan, but also because Hopkins knew that getting hit flush by that guy could be the end of the fight.

He was knocked down in rd 1 and that changed the dynamic of the fight immediately. Another good example would be Mathysse vs Provodnikov. He kep him off as well for the most part because if his punching power, Provo had to think twice about just falling in. Power tends to change the minds of fighters...lol

I think the answer is all of the above. Yes you have to use a jab, but you also have to hit your opponent hard, and gain his fear/respect that he cannot just walk in and smother you.

Also, it takes time to learn the inside game. I teach the inside game and it's what I was as a fighter. It's not easy, it's not given the respect the outside game is, but it's just as much a skill IMO.

You have to be physical with him, you have to make him pay for "walking through that bad neighborhood" as Teddy Atlas would say.

Keep working, and try and work on your inside game, using pushes, and side steps and try and spar bigger, stronger guys than you to prepare for this.

Good luck.

Good post.

The jab, with proper movement, is key (I believe) when trying to tame the smothering guys though. And I agree, if your going to hit him though than you might as well git some, you have to make them respect your authoritai (cartman voice).

Important too are the feints with the movement and jab. Feint him still and make him react as you slide to a side with your jab in his face. Stop right hand - hook and take the side again with the jab.

Learning to circle both to your left and your right, while throwing in combination, could also be considered essential.

[nivek535]

great advice from rockin and cuahhtahututemoc1520.
if u cant keep em off with powerful straight shots, then watch some james toney on the inside. beat him on the inside game .

[Rockin']

great advice from rockin and cuahhtahututemoc1520.
if u cant keep em off with powerful straight shots, then watch some james toney on the inside. beat him on the inside game .

that's who I watched and learned from in the gym with the rolling, the guy was great. Well that and trial and error.

[Cuauhtémoc1520]

great advice from rockin and cuahhtahututemoc1520.
if u cant keep em off with powerful straight shots, then watch some james toney on the inside. beat him on the inside game .

James Toney is a master inside. It takes decades to learn to fight like that in close quarters and not take big shots.

A lot of times taller fighters think it's an advantage, it's not. It can be a disadvantage if you are facing a tough inside guy who can get underneath you.

There's no real right answer, it's about learning in the gym and hopefully he has a coach that can help him on the inside.

I have 6 current amateurs I'm working with. One of them is a smaller 140, but he's powerful. Yet he's a slicker fighter and isn't great on the inside. So that's what we work on everyday, inside fighting, moving the head, stepping off angles and ****ing to the body.

Why? Because that's what he's not best at. So we work on what he needs work on, and try and hide his deficiencies. Hopefully his trainer will do the same.

[BostonGuy]

I think the Buster Douglas-Mike Tyson fight is a good example of a taller guy neutralizing the shorter 'swarming' inside fight. Douglas had a long powerful snapping jab but he also followed up with good combinations and took the fight to Tyson. He was coming forward and imposing his will on Mike; he was punching, roughing him up and leaning on him.

I think you need to adopt a come-forward aggressive style that incorporates a stiff stinging jab followed up with a good combination. If you're a long slender guy who's jabbing off the back foot and fighting backwards you're not gonna be able to deal with the pressure of swarming and smothering inside fighter.

[Cuauhtémoc1520]

I think the Buster Douglas-Mike Tyson fight is a good example of a taller guy neutralizing the shorter 'swarming' inside fight. Douglas had a long powerful snapping jab but he also followed up with good combinations and took the fight to Tyson. He was coming forward and imposing his will on Mike; he was punching, roughing him up and leaning on him.

I think you need to adopt a come-forward aggressive style that incorporates a stiff stinging jab followed up with a good combination. If you're a long slender guy who's jabbing off the back foot and fighting backwards you're not gonna be able to deal with the pressure of swarming and smothering inside fighter.

Most definitely a better example.

You been on fire lately Boston.

[2ofEverything]

I think you need to adopt a come-forward aggressive style that incorporates a stiff stinging jab followed up with a good combination. If you're a long slender guy who's jabbing off the back foot and fighting backwards you're not gonna be able to deal with the pressure of swarming and smothering inside fighter.

That's literally what my trainers and I realized after that first fight. I'm still having trouble being the aggressor and leaving my jabs out there. It's something I'm working on but I'm always letting the inside guy dictate the fight and wait for him to come in.

Thanks for all the help guys I'm going to start watching the videos you posted now