Fighting a Boxer

[TheDevilAside]

Boxers are usually very specialized, meanning that if you try to match them and fight fire with fire, they will probably dismantle you. So, throw things at him that you have in your arsenal which boxers don't necessarily train in, such as kicks, elbows, knees, some forms of clinching, grappling, throws and so forth. Stick with the basics though, don't do anything fancy, stick with things that you're comfortable with and know you can execute well. I would especially use low, quick kicks. I wouldn't go for high, extended kicks because a boxers' reflexes are a priority and high kicks are easily predicted. Oh, and of course, keep a tight guard around your face, that will be his focus.

[CagedWarrior]

You know, boxers are pretty much the best strikers in the world , probably the best from the waist up, and can destroy you very fast. You could try to use kicks, but the 80/20 rule says that you use mostly hands in a fight- and once he's in range you're in trouble unless you're just as good. I'd advise trying to get him to the ground pronto- and make sure your takedowns are clean so you don't get hurt when you mess up.

[Andrew_Patton]

putting in my two cents here since I have been at the hands of a boxer many times, and in the ring with one on a few occasion,

I have found one thing, throwing punches with a boxer isn't all that hard, IF, it's an amature boxer who is pretty new to the game, but as soon as the boxer's got a bit of experience you're gonna be in a world of hurt.

Now, if the boxers playing your game, allowing you to use your bag of tricks, you can, with some training for specialized scenarios, slowly chew the boxer up, keeping your gaurd in front of your face is key here, as always, distract the opponent from his usual defensive areas, and try to take his legs out from under him, remember to strike key areas, and don't try to punch the face, it should be noted that boxers develop pretty strong chins and an ungloved punch (gloves protect the wearers hands, not the other way around) isn't going to do much there, on the street strike the throat, groin, legs in general (if you're okinawan karate, i.e. goju-ryu or shorin-ryu you should know a good leg-kick.) and if you have to go to the face, use a quick, sharp palm-heel, it acts as a distraction, hides much of the vision and gives you an instant to get to the blind spot, where you can grapple or throw your opponent.

In close is a different story, throw everything you can (finger strikes, elbows, knees, headbutts (street only not sparring circumstances) to the most vital points you can, ribs, throat, groin, etc. but under no circumstances should you throw to the body/abs (a boxer's conditioned to fight a boxer's game remember?)

I just want to add that scenario training is very usefull, ask an accomplished fighter of another style to come in and spar a little with you, learn their tactics, give them free lessons, and learn how to counter particular fighting styles, such as; boxing, kickboxing/muay thai, BJJ/JJJ, wrestling/judo, there is nothing that scenario training will do, but advance your tactics against someone who fights different than you do.

Edited September 27, 2005 by Andrew_Patton

[AndrewGreen]

Against a boxer i'd probably fight real dirty and eye jab, groin kick and hit him when he's down then run. A good boxer is a good fighter simply becuase of their physical training.

So... you're the guy that everyone in the club hates?

Is eye gouge and groin kick, really helpful advice for sparring?

I f you want to beat a boxer, you need to know some boxing. First do not try to block, he will set you up and nail you. Cover up and keep tight, never move your hand away to stop a punch, let it come too you.

Round kicks to the lead leg. The power in a punch comes from the legs, Make it uncomfortable for him to put weight on that lead leg.

When you are getting hit, clinch. Tuck your chin, cover up, drop down and get in there. If you try to get out you will get overwhelmed. As soon as you start stepping back while getting hit you are gonna get nailed.

If you got any wrestling or Submission experience shoot in and take him down.

[Andrew_Patton]

Andrew, I do believe rich_2k3 was talking about a real fight, not dojo ettiquite, but you do bring up a good point, you shouldn't fight dirty in the training hall, you should work on finding out what works against a particular fighting style, i.e.; boxer, brawler, kicker, all-around striker, grappler, wrestler, etc. then in the off chance you encounter this type of fighter, you can apply your tactic to defend yourself.

[AndrewGreen]

Probably, but as the question was about sparring within a club, dirty fighting is irrelevant. And truthfully, using dirty tactics against a superior fighter is a bad move, as they will then use them back.

Now, let's go back and state the obvious answer to the question. Ask him, he'll know how to defend against what he does.

[Anbu Alex]

Probably, but as the question was about sparring within a club, dirty fighting is irrelevant. And truthfully, using dirty tactics against a superior fighter is a bad move, as they will then use them back.

Now, let's go back and state the obvious answer to the question. Ask him, he'll know how to defend against what he does.

Man if you poke a guys eyes good they wont be able to see much less target you unless their eyes are made of steel so i doubt that they if blinded can poke your eyes back the idea is to try a rip the eyes out

[AndrewGreen]

Good luck with that then.

[h2whoa]

Kick their legs out from under them! Boxers need their legs to accumulate power!

[karate kid 1]

SWEEP THEIR LEGS AND WHILE ON THE FLOOR STAMP ON THEIR STOMACH BUT REMEMBER BOXERS HAVE SPEED BUT WE HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY HOPE THIS IS HELPFUL