Tactics against a Boxer

[JerryLove]

There seems to be a notion that because you're not a "punching" style that you're allowed to have slower, weaker punches. Wrong. You should be able to box with a boxer without failure. Otherwise your punches are useless to you.

 

When does your punch get "as strong as it can possibly get"?

 

A boxer spends more time on his punching than most other arts. If at 6 months you can still improve your punches, a 6-month boxer has put more effort into punching and so should have a better punch.

 

Next you'll tell me that if you can't out-grapple a BJJ player at his own game than your grappling is useless.

 

Different arts have different strengths and weaknesses. A boxer's strenght is upright punching within a given range. If you stand there and play his game you are dumb.

 

As to wheather you should study a range/weapon without being the best at it... tell me, would you rather fight a boxer with no grappling skills, or a boxer with some grappling skills who can, therefore, pound you from a clench?

 

You don't have to be the best at something to make it worth studying.

[Hudson]

No, I wouldn't say you need to outgrapple a BJJ guy. But then again in my art we don't practice grappling. However we do punch, as do most other arts. So instead of saying "Oh, well, since I've got legwork to do as well, I can train less on punches so I'm not spending as much time training" you should be training twice as long, training your punches just as strong as a boxer and training your legs with equal intensity. That way you have TWICE the skill, power, and speed of the Boxer, so you're not equal to him and need to fool around with him long-range. Thats not to say that theres no strategy to fighting, and no, I don't have the common western notion that you should just pummel through everything. However for me, I can't know my punches are less effective then any other style punches, especially since they're the same punch.

[Shane]

I agree with the statement dont try to box a boxer. I have sparred guys who are great boxers, and I have pretty good hand skills but did not even want to slug it out if you know what I mean, so I used more low level leg attacks to enter, then delivering my strikes and out with another kick. Use your front kick almost like a jab to keep them at bay. Thigh Kicks are wonderful especially when they cant defend against them hahaha

[White Warlock]

No, I wouldn't say you need to outgrapple a BJJ guy. But then again in my art we don't practice grappling. However we do punch, as do most other arts. So instead of saying "Oh, well, since I've got legwork to do as well, I can train less on punches so I'm not spending as much time training" you should be training twice as long, training your punches just as strong as a boxer and training your legs with equal intensity. That way you have TWICE the skill, power, and speed of the Boxer, so you're not equal to him and need to fool around with him long-range. Thats not to say that theres no strategy to fighting, and no, I don't have the common western notion that you should just pummel through everything. However for me, I can't know my punches are less effective then any other style punches, especially since they're the same punch.

Assuming punching is the totality of boxing is where you're getting into trouble with these notions Hudson.

[JerryLove]

So instead of saying "Oh, well, since I've got legwork to do as well, I can train less on punches so I'm not spending as much time training" you should be training twice as long, training your punches just as strong as a boxer and training your legs with equal intensity. That way you have TWICE the skill, power, and speed of the Boxer, so you're not equal to him and need to fool around with him long-range

And how would you accomplish that? The Boxer spends 100% of his time working his boxing game. How are you going to spend 100% of yor time working your boxing game and also 100% of your time working your kicking game?

 

You will never be able to out perform a specialist at his speciality given the same amount of relative experience/skill... that's the point of specialization.

However for me, I can't know my punches are less effective then any other style punches, especially since they're the same punch.

It's because you have less experience / practice in a given amount of time, because your time is more divided.

[Hudson]

Well, thats assuming the boxer trains as hard as you for the same amount of time as you, and if thats the case, sure.

[JerryLove]

Well, thats assuming the boxer trains as hard as you for the same amount of time as you, and if thats the case, sure.

If you don't assume that, then you should call the thread "tactics against an inferior opponent"... in which case "anything you want".

 

Don't be absurd, the question only makes sense given some parity of skill level.

[foreveryoung001]

What an interesting topic.

 

I do have to agree with those that say it would be a bit foolish to toe to toe with a boxer, and only use punches. The concept of most MAs, as is my understanding, is that they try to teach a fighting style that will make use of various weapons on your body... hands, feet, knees, elbows, etc... I like to think I have good punches, but I wouldn't kid myself into thinking that I would be able go head to head with a boxer if I wasn't able to use all of the weapons that I have been trained to use. That includes the mind, and the different stratagies for fighting.

[Gilbert]

Boxing is a good sport and i have always loved it. I used to box but not anymore. Now aikido is what i have been in. try not to kick so much if your not fast. and dont kick if your fast but your kicks dont hurt. you'll kick and he'll just move and throw some combonations. Dont kick so much high up. thats a no,no. if your a good kicker, kick him in the thighs. if you cant help it and your a high kicker. go for the gut. but the head is hard to hit for a karateka since the boxer is always bobing and weaving. so instead of the head go for the body. after feeling some good hits in the thighs and body kicks. he'll start to slow down. show him no mercy.

[47MartialMan]

Hi Gilbert,

 

Long time no see.