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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