Boxing styles and technique

Ring conditions, promoter demands, teaching techniques, and the influence of successful boxers are some of the reasons styles and strategies have fluctuated.

Notably, a in-fighter is identified by their forward movement, prioritizing their positioning to throw numerous punches while crowding their opponent.

This tends to require a large investment of energy (cardio) on the part of both fighters, meaning one goal of this style is to exhaust their opponent.

In-fighters typically also fight in crouches to heavily target body and to be able duck head shots more effectively.

A boxer may also exert pressure by initiating a clinch instead of exiting the engagement after punching while fighting in very close quarters.

Offensively, sluggers possess the best balance and knockout capabilities due to their tendency to plant their feet on the ground while fighting.

They apply subtle defensive movements, such as slipping and minimal ducking to reduce the damage they take in punching zones.

[4] Most sluggers lack mobility in the ring and may have difficulty pursuing fighters who are fast on their feet but that is not always the case.

In general, the boxer-puncher lacks the mobility and defensive expertise of the out-boxer (exceptions include Sugar Ray Robinson and Freddie Steele.)

A boxer-puncher's ability to mix things up may prove to be a hindrance to any of the three other boxing styles, but at the same time their versatility means that they tend to be a master of none.

As such, Muhammad Ali can be considered a counterpuncher even if he was an "outboxer", Tyson and Sugar Ray Robinson as well, despite the former being a "swarmer" and the latter a "boxerpuncher".

For these reasons this form of boxing balances defense and offense but can lead to severe damage if the boxer who utilizes this technique has bad reflexes or is not quick enough.

[5] Commonly known counterpunchers are: Peek-a-Boo — a counter-offense style often used by a fighter where the hands are placed in front of the boxer's face,[6] like in the babies' game of the same name.

Peek-a-Boo boxing utilizes relaxed hands with the forearms in front of the face and the fist at nose-eye level.

The number system e.g. 3-2-3-Body-head-body or 3-3-2 Body-Body-head is drilled with the stationary dummy and on the bag until the fighter is able to punch by rapid combinations with what D'Amato called "bad intentions."

Some naturally right-handed fighters (such as Marvin Hagler and Michael Moorer)[7][8] have converted to southpaw in the past to offset their opponents.

[citation needed] Headgear does not sufficiently protect the brain from the jarring that occurs when the head is struck with great force.

The lead (left) fist is held vertically about six inches in front of the face at eye level.

The chin is tucked into the chest to avoid punches to the jaw which commonly cause knock-outs and is often kept slightly off-center.

Wrists are slightly bent to avoid damage when punching and the elbows are kept tucked in to protect the ribcage.

For instance, a crouched stance allows for the bodyweight to be positioned further forward over the lead left leg.

This springing action could not be generated effectively, for this punch, if an upright stance was used or if the bodyweight was positioned predominately over the back leg.

As the opponent's punch arrives, the boxer bends the legs quickly and simultaneously shifts the body either slightly right or left.

Once the punch has been evaded, the boxer "weaves" back to an upright position, emerging on either the outside or inside of the opponent's still-extended arm.

Generally speaking, the hands are held high to protect the head and chin and the forearms are tucked against the torso to impede body shots.

When protecting the body, the boxer rotates the hips and lets incoming punches "roll" off the guard.

In this situation, the boxer attempts to hold or "tie up" the opponent's hands so he is unable to throw hooks or uppercuts.

[4] Peek-a-Boo — a defensive style often used by a fighter where the hands are placed in front of the boxer's face,[6] like in the babies' game of the same name.

Peek-a-Boo boxing utilizes relaxed hands with the forearms in front of the face and the fist at nose-eye level.

This style is greatly varied when the back hand (right for an orthodox fighter and left for a southpaw) rises vertically.