The 6 Styles of Boxing: Which One Suits You Best?
What are the basic styles of boxing?
Style seems to cover three characteristics:
1) Hand Dominance
2) Height
3) Temperament
Each of these characteristics encapsulate two opposing styles, as listed below.
Hand Dominance: Orthodox vs. Southpaw.
An orthodox style is with the left hand leading. This is typically a right-handed style, where the non-dominant left hand is used to control the opponent.
A southpaw style is with the right hand leading. Typically a left-handed style, this is where the non-dominant right hand controls the opponent.
Typical tactics between orthodox and southpaws include:
Moving away from the opponent’s dominant hand.
Stepping outside the opponent’s lead foot, and throwing a cross or a lead hook.
Low jab to drop the guard followed by a lead hook.
Examples of boxing matches between these styles:
Floyd Mayweather, Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao (2015)
Naseem Hamed vs. Marco Antonio Barrera (2001)
Pernell Whitaker vs. Oscar De La Hoya (1997)
Height: Out-fighter vs. In-fighter
An out-fighter style is about maintaining distance, using lots of jabs to keep the opponent at bay. This is typically a taller boxer’s choice of style.
An in-fighter style seeks to close the distance, bobbing and weaving to keep an opponent on the back foot. Typically a shorter boxer will adopt this style against a taller opponent.
Typical tactics between out-fighters and in-fighters include:
Timing attacks between ‘beats’.
Quick changes in direction or angle.
Setting up combinations with a high-low punch pattern.
Examples of boxing matches between these styles:
James Tillis vs. Mike Tyson (1986)
Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Roberto Durán II (1980)
Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier II (1974)
Temperament: Slugger vs. Counter-Puncher
A slugger seeks to physically dominate the opponent with direct punches and maximum power. This style is typically adopted by boxers who view boxing in purely ‘physical’ terms.
The counter-puncher seeks to outsmart the opponent with feints and counter-punches. This style is typically adopted by boxers who view boxing in purely ‘mental’ terms.
Typical tactics between sluggers and counter-punchers include:
Pressuring the opponent.
Controlling the pace of the fight.
Making the opponent make a mistake.
Examples of boxing matches between these styles:
Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury (2018, 2020 and 2021)
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Saul Alvarez (2013)
George Foreman vs. Muhammad Ali (1974)
References
Sondhi, R. and Thompson, T., 2011. Advanced Boxing: Training, Skills and Techniques. The Crowood Press Ltd.
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