When I started boxing, I had a textbook on amateur stance and style; hands up, left hand about six inches from the chin, fairly upright stance, and active defense with a focus on ‘cover and counter’ type rhythm. It wasn’t long before my coach pulled me aside and told me this wasn’t going to work. He had me bring my hands to my chin, square up a bit and start working on my head movement with immediate counters and punches as the opponent punched. He knew that I loved Mike Tyson!? Who knows, I’m sure I gave it away at some point in my training. This ‘new’ Peekaboo style took me to a new level in the gym. I felt like he had his own style (of course this wasn’t true), I imagined he was Mike Tyson, dodging and countering, and knocking guys out!
Style is one thing, skill is another, and the ability to execute your style is even another thing. It didn’t take me long to realize I didn’t have the punching power of Mike Tyson, most guys don’t, not even the pros. After a lot of beatings in the first 6 months in the gym, I started to get my rhythm and style, and in my first fight I was like a white Mike Tyson, swinging and swinging and coming forward with heavy punches. It wasn’t all glory, he was exhausted at the end of the second round from all the aggression. I won that fight, mostly thanks to solid defense and the ability to hit clean shots when it was my turn to shoot, I didn’t knock my opponent out and it wasn’t the Mike Tyson-style performance I envisioned. Which brings me to the purpose of this post, a reader writes in:
… I also noticed that at the amateur level, everyone learns boxing the traditional way. However, I really like the unpredictability of Floyd Mayweather’s style, or Sergio Martinez’s ambush style. I think a lot of his success has more to do with his unorthodox style than his natural ability.
What do you think about fighting like the fighters mentioned above? Sergio and Roy Jones Jr. often give up, but it seems to work for them. I’m not blazing fast, but would certain exercises or reps help me achieve similar work styles at the amateur level?”
There are a couple of things to keep in mind with any type of style:
1) Your style is how you put each piece of your boxing repertoire into action. To keep it basic, one guy likes to catch the jab and counter, the other likes to slip the jab and counter. This is the beginning of the style. Boxing is about position, technique, patterns and rhythm. You can emulate Roy Jones or Mayweather, but it will always be you with your own style, this can be good or bad. Take what you learn and make it your own, remember that you are trying to win and good fighters do whatever it takes to win. Style is secondary to winning. Just look at how Mayweather changed his style right after Mosley knocked him out in round 2 of their fight.
2) Fight according to your competitive arena. Most of the top professional boxers started out in a traditional amateur style. This is because the amateur game is based on striking connections and judges don’t like fighters who deviate from the amateur style model. They think you are ‘showing off’ when you lower your hands. I’ve never seen a guy drop his hands in amateur victory against a matched opponent, the judges just don’t rate him. In the amateur game you have to play for the judges, you can lower your hands a bit and use an evasive style, but I wouldn’t go too far from this unless you know you can clean your opponent.
3) Dropping hands has its purpose. The main reasons for dropping the left hand in a Philly shell position or dropping both hands and being cautious are; first, he can move his head faster based on the distribution of weight across his body, second, he can see punches a little easier, third, he can roll his shoulders to set up counter attacks, and fourth, he can throw blows from outside the line of their opponents. Vision If you’re going to drop one or both hands, make sure you can back it up with actual technique.
4) The best way to develop any style is to take risks in combat and practice what you’re trying to achieve. You have to take risks if you want to improve and not depend on what works all the time. You have to put your ego aside and risk losing a round or two to try something new, that’s the best way to learn.
5) Understand that distance and pace are critical to your boxing style. He looked at Mayweather, who likes to hit the boat and pick off opponents from the outside, controls the distance and mentally paralyzes his opponents. Look at Pacquiao, who moves well from side to side, nods his head and comes in with quick combos and moves a bit only to come in with a second set of combos. Look at Manuel Marquez, who has a deft, measured counterpunch as he waits for you to create the opening, and look at Victor Ortiz, who bombards you with punches and forces openings.
All in all, your style will come down to your mindset, your level of proficiency with each technique, and your ability to put pieces together. Practice the techniques until you master them and work on your new style in combat, take risks during combat.
