Guard Up!

[LiLHopkins]

I would love to see you fight him.Listen Lacy is a good fighter and the Lacy you saw vs Calzaghe was not the real Lacy.I am not taking anything away from Calzaghe he had a fine performance but lacy went into the fight with the wrong plan and when itfailed there was no Plan B.Also he did not throw any combos nearly the whole fight or listen to a word his corner had to say.Lacy will be back and stronger than ever....

Yeah Lacy's plan was to KO Calzage in 3 rounds.

[KingDosia]

.....that's why every competent trainer is always chanting "Get yur ****in' guard up!" Do they listen? NO!

Have you ever been in the ring?? Or better have you ever tried to fight a skilled boxer? Have you ever tried to cover head and body at the same time? Now that pic does demonstrate what will happen by letting your guard down against a boxer. As a swarming puncher I am well aware of the mistake's he made. But I understand what a boxer can do to a slugger. Do you? Why critisize? Get some experience outside of Joe frazier's book son. You'll find yourself appreciating the fighters side of the fight a little more. Unlike what you and the announcers say. "peeps who don't know ****" It's a diff world in there. You should check it out before you make another ******ed thread.

[fraidycat]

As a swarming puncher I am well aware of the mistake's he made. But I understand what a boxer can do to a slugger. Do you?

Uh -- serious question: In two weeks I'm going into my first fight (exhibition match for local gyms) and I'm a swarming puncher's swarming puncher. So far, the swarming puncher thing is working very well against guys from my gym -- our coach emphasizes "boxing" over swarming, and is big on distance guards, ranging jabs, etc. I do NOT know what kind of mistakes can be made, nor what a boxer can do to a slugger. I'd love to know, especially sooner than before I step into the ring.

Hints? Tips? Fights I can watch?

[KingDosia]

Uh -- serious question: In two weeks I'm going into my first fight (exhibition match for local gyms) and I'm a swarming puncher's swarming puncher. So far, the swarming puncher thing is working very well against guys from my gym -- our coach emphasizes "boxing" over swarming, and is big on distance guards, ranging jabs, etc. I do NOT know what kind of mistakes can be made, nor what a boxer can do to a slugger. I'd love to know, especially sooner than before I step into the ring.

Hints? Tips? Fights I can watch?

I FIGHT THE WAY I DO BECAUSE IM 5'11" AND WEIGH BETWEEN 220 - 240
MOST HAVE A HARD TIME DEALING WITH A HARD HITTER SWARMING TO THE BODY HEAD AND BACK USING 5-6 PUNCH COMBO'S JUMPING ON THEM AND KEEPING THE PRESSURE AS LONG AS THE FIGHT GOES (TAKES A LOT OF ENDURANCE TRAINING)YOU NBED EXCELENT DEFENSIVE SKILLS. I MEAN PERFECTION, IF YOU LOOK AT GUYS LIKE MIKE TYSON AND JACK DEMPSEY WHO FAUGHT WITH A SIMILIAR STYLE "I ADMIT I KINDA USE THOSE TWO AS A MODEL FOR MY OWN STYLE" THEY ARE VERY GOOD AT SLIPPING THE JAB AND COUNTERING WITH HOOKS AND UPPERCUTS. I RELENTLESSLY PRACTICE THIS SKILL WHILE SPARING. IN ADDITION TO USING THE SLIP BAG, SPRING BAG (REFLEX BAGS WORK TO) AND DOUBLE END BAG. I EVEN USE THE SPEED BAG AS A TOOL TO PRACTICE SLIPPING PUNCHES. A GOOD BOXER THAT CAN FIGHT EFFECTIVELY GOING BACKWARD CAN PICK US APART WITH JABS AND STRAIGT RIGHTS. ALONG WITH PATIENCE AND GOOD DEFENCE. IF THEY HAVE GOOD FOOTWORK IT WILL ALSO BE HARD TO KEEP A NUTRAL POSITION. KNOWING HOW TO BOB AND WEAVE WHEN THEY GET TO THE SIDE AND TRY TO THROW HOOKS WILL SAVE YOUR ASS TO. THE RULE OF THUMB IS TO BOX A SLUGGER AND BRAWL A BOXER. YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE FIGHT. THE BOXER IF SKILLED IS A MONSTER TO TRY TO OVER COME. I'VE FACED SOME GUYS WITH SO MUCH SKILL MATCHED WITH HAND SPEED THAT IT MADE FOR A HUGE PAIN IN THE ASS TO FIGURE OUT. AND LOOK WHAT HOLYFIELD AND LEWIS DID TO TYSON.
I'D SAY WATCH EARLY TYSON FIGHTS CLOSELY AND MIMICK THOSE MOVEMENTS "PRACTICE DON'T JUST TAKE IT TO THE RING" CHECK OUT DEMPSY AND EVERYBODY "THIS WILL GIVE POTATOES A HARD ON" CAN LEARN FROM SMOKIN JOE. THIS STYLE TAKES A LOT OF FEROCITY AND PERSISTANCE NOT TO MENTION TOUGHNESS. GOOD LUCK.

[potatoes]

Uh -- serious question: In two weeks I'm going into my first fight (exhibition match for local gyms) and I'm a swarming puncher's swarming puncher. So far, the swarming puncher thing is working very well against guys from my gym -- our coach emphasizes "boxing" over swarming, and is big on distance guards, ranging jabs, etc. I do NOT know what kind of mistakes can be made, nor what a boxer can do to a slugger. I'd love to know, especially sooner than before I step into the ring.

Hints? Tips? Fights I can watch?

It is so unfortunate that many young aspiring fighters are in your position. You go to the gym, you try to train hard but you get poor quality training. There is just to many trainers out there who don't know boxing, and consequently have no idea how a man should develop his style. From what you have said it seems to me that your trainer is trying to get you to fight tall because the the scoring rules in the amateurs are biased towards tall boxers. It is an ugly reality that short sluggers have to live with, that is until they turn pro.

If joining a new boxing club is not an option then about all you can do is get some videos of various swarming sluggers and study them thoroughly. Mike Tyson is without a doubt the most talented and most skilfull swarming slugger ever seen in the heavyweight division. Study his technique, there is a lot to be learned. Tyson did a lot of things right and a lot of things wrong. Sometimes you can even hear Kevin Rooney giving him **** for fighting ******! But no amount of videos can ever replace a good trainer.

Learning from your mistakes is not an easy thing to do, especially if you lack a qualified trainer to put things into perspective. Nevertheless, a skilfull boxer will punish you for your sins! I came away with a broken nose once, largely because I wasn't moving my head. Don't forget, chin down, guard up, move your head.......it might save your nose!

[fraidycat]

Thanks, 'tatoes. Too late for my nose; I had it busted already by a radial saw kickback. I ain't pretty no more.

My coach likes to teach "boxing," but he has seen what is working for me and -- to blow my own horn for a moment -- what is putting the fear of me into some of the others at my gym: I find slugging more effective given my build and temperament, and our trainers aren't screwing with it too much; the owner/coach just isn't a slugger and his top fighters are also not sluggers but I'm damn effective as a slugger. I guess these first few fights will tell the tale.

Part of me wants to learn "boxing" as opposed to "slugging" and I feel sometimes like I've been seduced by the Dark Side of The Force -- the quick and easy path, and all that. But I spar good, so far. My nicknames in the gym are currently "King Body Shot" and "Dozer."

If it's any indication, they have had a HELL of a time finding someone willing to go against a southpaw swarmer who benches 250+ and studies Dempsey. And I've only been fighting for 7 months. 2 of the 3 guys the trainers / gyms suggested said, "**** no," (to quote one of them directly, I **** thee not) after 3 rounds of sparring -- and that was only medium-contact. The guy they found -- if it's who I'm thinking of -- is also a southpaw with heavy hands and he's a little fireplug, 3" shorter than me and 10 lbs. lighter. He's a Latino and has that never-say-die, never-retreat temperament that's stereotypical (sorry!) of Latino fighters. If he's the guy, then it should be a good match. If it's NOT him, and it's a trained boxer who's figured out a workaround against a powerful, swarming puncher, then I'm ****ed. I'd be curious to know what those workarounds would be.

So I'm open to any further suggestions, much as Dosier put forth. Thanks, King; and thanks, 'Tatoes.

Immense Peace,

- "Dozer"

EDIT: I want to add that I think I'm getting very high quality training. There are enough belts on the wall of my gym to make me trust in what my coach and trainers are doing. My style just isn't the general style that's taught at my gym. So far, so good, though.

[potatoes]

Thanks, 'tatoes. Too late for my nose; I had it busted already by a radial saw kickback. I ain't pretty no more.

My coach likes to teach "boxing," but he has seen what is working for me and -- to blow my own horn for a moment -- what is putting the fear of me into some of the others at my gym: I find slugging more effective given my build and temperament, and our trainers aren't screwing with it too much; the owner/coach just isn't a slugger and his top fighters are also not sluggers but I'm damn effective as a slugger. I guess these first few fights will tell the tale.

Part of me wants to learn "boxing" as opposed to "slugging" and I feel sometimes like I've been seduced by the Dark Side of The Force -- the quick and easy path, and all that. But I spar good, so far. My nicknames in the gym are currently "King Body Shot" and "Dozer."

If it's any indication, they have had a HELL of a time finding someone willing to go against a southpaw swarmer who benches 250+ and studies Dempsey. And I've only been fighting for 7 months. 2 of the 3 guys the trainers / gyms suggested said, "**** no," (to quote one of them directly, I **** thee not) after 3 rounds of sparring -- and that was only medium-contact. The guy they found -- if it's who I'm thinking of -- is also a southpaw with heavy hands and he's a little fireplug, 3" shorter than me and 10 lbs. lighter. He's a Latino and has that never-say-die, never-retreat temperament that's stereotypical (sorry!) of Latino fighters. If he's the guy, then it should be a good match. If it's NOT him, and it's a trained boxer who's figured out a workaround against a powerful, swarming puncher, then I'm ****ed. I'd be curious to know what those workarounds would be.

So I'm open to any further suggestions, much as Dosier put forth. Thanks, King; and thanks, 'Tatoes.

Immense Peace,

- "Dozer"

EDIT: I want to add that I think I'm getting very high quality training. There are enough belts on the wall of my gym to make me trust in what my coach and trainers are doing. My style just isn't the general style that's taught at my gym. So far, so good, though.

Perhaps I should ask you a question. Are you a puncher? The key to success as a swarming slugger is knockout power, without it you will have a tough road ahead of you. By now you know or should know that the lefthook (or righthook) to the body is a sluggers best friend. Can you drop your sparring partners to their knees if you hit them flush with a livershot? If not, you might want to consider changing your style.

[fraidycat]

Can you drop your sparring partners to their knees if you hit them flush with a livershot? If not, you might want to consider changing your style.

Roger that. I can hit very, very hard, especially the close-quarters shovel hooks that the taller guys hate. As said above, one my nicknames at the gym is "King Body Shot." The few times I've gone full-speed with someone, each time my opponent has had to stop or at least take a second or two to "shake it off" after I landed a punch, usually to the body. I have big hands and tremendous core and leg strength. It's because of my confidence in my ability to hit that I have adopted the swarming puncher style.

[KingDosia]

Roger that. I can hit very, very hard, especially the close-quarters shovel hooks that the taller guys hate. As said above, one my nicknames at the gym is "King Body Shot." The few times I've gone full-speed with someone, each time my opponent has had to stop or at least take a second or two to "shake it off" after I landed a punch, usually to the body. I have big hands and tremendous core and leg strength. It's because of my confidence in my ability to hit that I have adopted the swarming puncher style.

IT SEEMS YOU HAVE YOUR OFFENSIVE STYLE COMING TOGETHER, BUT WHAT OF YOUR DEFENSE? HITTING HARD ISNT' ENOUGH. IT HELPS TO HAVE POWER, BUT BELIEVE ME THE POWER SERVES NOTHING IF YOU DON'T GET THE CHANCE TO DELIVER. YOU NEED YOUR FEET, HEAD AND HANDS TO BE DEFENSIVE TOOLS AS WELL. PERHAPS MORE IPORTANT THAN HOW HARD OR HOW OFTEN YOU HIT SOMEBODY. I HAVE A HELL OF A TIME FINDING A SPARING PARTNER TO. OFTEN HAVE TO TRAVEL TO DIFFERENT GYMS TO SPAR. I USE TO LOOK JUST FOR TALL AND TECHNICAL BOXERS IT IS TRUE THAT JUDGING SYSTEMS IN THE AMATEURS FAVOR THAT FIGHTER. SO EVEN THOUGH I KNEW I HAD RAW POWER. AND HAVE DROPPED PLENTY WITH SHOTS TO THE BODY, I HAD TO TUNE MY DEFENSE. WHEN YOU WATCH DEMPSEY AND TYSON AND THERE WEAVING STYLE, YOU SEE IT THEY MAKE YOU MISS THEN MAKE YOU PAY DEARLY AND THATS THE GOAL WITH A SWARMER. A SLUGGER WILL WING POWER SHOTS AT UNPREDICTABLE INTERVALS "AT LEAST THAT IS HOW IM GOING TO CATAGORIZE THE DIFFERENCE" SWARMING SLUGGERS WHICH I CONSIDER MYSELF. NEED SPEED BALANCE AND DEFENSE EVEN AHEAD OF POWER. ITS TRUE TYSON HIT HARD AS HELL, BUT IT WASN'T SUPER HUMAN POWER SHOTS THAT KO'D HIS FIRTS 18 IT WAS BLISTERING SPEED AND KEEN DEFENSE. IF HE HAD THAT KIND OF POWER HE'S STILL BE DROPPING FOOLS TODAY. FACT IS YOU DON'T SEE THE 6-7 PUNCH COMBO'S TO THE BODY AND SUPER FAST HEAD BLOWS ANY MORE AND NOW ANYBODY WHO WANTS TO CAN BEAT HIM.
MY ADVICE IS CONTINUE TO PROVE YOURSELF AS THE HARDEST WORKER IN THE GYM, AS APOSED TO THE HARDEST PUNCHER. BUILD YOURSELF A TREMENDOUS ENDURANCE PROGRAM KEEPING THE BALANCE WITH STRENGTH AND SKILLS TRAINING. KEEP YOUR DEFENSIVE SKILLS IN YOUR MINDS FORSIGHT WITH THE SKILLS TRAINING MAYBE SPAR DEFENSE ONLY MORE OFTEN AND DEVELOPE THAT WEAVING STYLE US SHORTER GUYS CAN USE TO WRECK THE INSIDE. MATCH ALL OF THAT WITH YOUR POWER AND PRESTO. YOU GET YOURSELF A RECORD WORTH MENTIONING. NO DEFENSE AND A BOXER WILL PICK YOU APART. THATS THE NATURE OF THE BEAST THEY ARE EQUIPED TO DEFEAT YOU. REMEMBER THAT

[potatoes]

Roger that. I can hit very, very hard, especially the close-quarters shovel hooks that the taller guys hate. As said above, one my nicknames at the gym is "King Body Shot." The few times I've gone full-speed with someone, each time my opponent has had to stop or at least take a second or two to "shake it off" after I landed a punch, usually to the body. I have big hands and tremendous core and leg strength. It's because of my confidence in my ability to hit that I have adopted the swarming puncher style.

Ok, you are a puncher.

Let me tell you one thing, every promoter, every manager and every trainer in the world WANTS a puncher! You have a gift which can be turned into a million dollar winner, or a million dollar loser, but millions are waiting for you. However, be sure to surround yourself with good people, because you can lose millions even faster than you can make them!

Who would you like to be on your team? Figure out who they are and go looking for them. They will put you in the ring to see what you can do. Just knockout whomever they put in front of you. Rocky Marciano could do it, and if indeed you have knockout power, you can too. If you get involved with the right people they will take you all the way to the top. The wrong people will flush you down the sewer.