The geneology of "a cross" in boxing...more confusing than appears!

[billeau2]

That seems to be the problem, finding where it was written.

This is from "Boxing" colonel WedgeWorth Johnson, printed in 1896 in England.

He makes reference to a "cross counter" which is called so because it goes over the "lead." There is no mention of a jab yet in this text.

Dempsey Circa 1950 writing about punching theory, mentions the jab, the hook but alas...no cross.

[soul_survivor]

It's really not that confusing.

The term is "right cross" (or the opposite for southpaws) and it simply means to throw a right hand, across your body and over the opponents lead punch. Over time, it has been used interchangeably when someone has thrown a right hand or to put it correctly, a straight right. These days, both terms usually mean the same and the term cross itself isnt used that often.

Training as an amateur, I think I heard it once. In the pro ranks, I think Ive heard commentators and trainers use it fewer times now than footage from 30 or more years ago.

Its just the way language evolves.

[Sugar Adam Ali]

I once heard from a trainer that you jab, then the right hand "crosses" your chest when thrown, and that's where the term came from