Boxing: How To Deal With The Punches

Boxing: How To Deal With The Punches

If you expect to walk away out of the ring without getting hit you are either the round girl waving a big placard in between rounds or your nickname is "Pretty Boy." But even the undefeated Mayweather receives a lot of punches when he fights and you as a round girl is out of the question.

The fact is, when you wear boxing gloves, step into the ring and face your opponent, once the bell rings, you cannot escape getting hit. Even if you have the greatest defense, you are only kidding yourself if you believe that you can defend every punch.

You are going to get hit in the face, on the sides and every inch of your upper body that is visible to your opponent. Yes, that's just the way it is; but if you are planning to become a decent boxer, they you have to prepare for the incoming punches. It will be tough at first. "Learn the hard way," they say. But it can be done.

There are 3 major things to remember when dealing with the punches: Keep your eyes open, move as much as you can, never flinch.

1.) In baseball, a study was made to prove that a 95mph fastball is faster than a blink of an eye. And it does! From the pitcher's mound to the home plate (the distance of 60 feet) a ball can travel faster than a blink of an eye. The point is, if a fastball can travel that fast from that distance, how much more will a boxer's punch from a distance of just 2 feet? Well, you can argue several points here but it is clear that if you can't blink when hitting a baseball, you definitely can't close when you are about to get hit by a punch.

Never, in any circumstance, should you close your eyes and turn your back from your opponent. If you want to avoid the onslaught, open your eyes. Obviously, this will allow you to see what's going on, where the punch is coming from and where it will most likely land (if it will land).

Keep your guards up. Do not think that by just closing your eyes, your opponent will get tired and stop. That's not going to happen. Remember: you cannot fight back if you have no idea what's going on.

2.) In boxing, there is one dominant rule among all other rules: if you are not punching, you are moving. No more, no less. So unless you plan to be a sitting duck throughout the fight, punch, move, punch again, and move again. When you get hit, and that's not an "if you get hit" kind of thing, never stick your head or the part of your body where it got punched in the first place.

Move! Step, dance, duck, weave or do something that your opponent cannot guess what your next stunt is going to be. If he throws a jab, do not whip back and then come straight towards him.

3.) Never Flinch. This may be a natural reaction to something that is coming right at you, but you have to control it. If you flinch, you are only making yourself more vulnerable to your opponent. The best trick to avoid this is to remember number one, get used to things coming at you, and keep your defenses up.

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Boxing As A Fitness Training Program

Boxing As A Fitness Training Program

The modern age lifestyle tends to be too difficult that it normally leads people to become obese. Now there is a fitness regimen that can help combat this uncomfortable situation and that is by means of boxing. It is both a sport and an exercise workout. Being a sport, there are rules that govern the match.

Both parties are only allowed to launch the attacks on the upper portion of the body provided that they only hit the front phase. No below the belt attacks are permitted. As an exercise regimen, it is composed of punching which puts to work the aerobic and cardio movements all at the same time.

Boxing for a Leaner Body

If you want to target attaining a lean body, it is necessary that you do this exercise by employing an upbeat song. It enhances the flexibility, energy, and strength of the body. Furthermore, it is a known remedy in keeping a healthy heart and in relieving stress. There are fitness clubs that are fully equipped to suit your needs. The sessions involve the punching and the rhythmic dancing to the music. All of which are of course perfect for your intention to trim down your body.

The training program is bound to improve your general health so it leads to the formation of a physically fit body structure. It is considered as one of the programs which enhance the body, improve the person's self-confidence, and develop one's agility. The workout likewise tones the body muscles so they will be supple.

Taking up the program is a goal of many people in this time and age. If you also concentrate on this kind of workout, you will have a greater chance of defining your legs and arms. More so, it will harness your sense of self discipline, inner strength, and balance your emotions too.

A Cardio and Aerobic Exercise Regimen

It was years ago when the boxing training programs have gotten included in the mainstream of the fitness training lifestyle programs. Several health professionals found out about the benefits of muscle toning and cardiovascular exercises. The more that its popularity heightened when the Cardio-Box and Tae Bo videos were thought of and released for those enthusiasts to follow.

The Cardio-Box training programs have fused the power jabs, crosses, straight punches, blocks, and hooks movements with the aerobic exercises. More so, other advanced level kicking and punching combinations can further be applied in your workout routine to further amplify your confidence and strength. It should never be forgotten how it can successfully sculpt your physical body towards its most ideal fighting form.

During the workout, you may execute series of blocks, punches, and kicks as you look at an imaginary opponent on the other side. The Cardio-Box classes will engage you into shadow boxing, kicking in the air, and throwing the varieties of punches. It is very essential for you to wear the protective gear as you go on with the session.

Burning the Calories

With your decision of enrolling yourself into a boxing training program, you will be able to beat the calories that you so hate. The main goal in here is to enhance your physical body. In reality, the performance of these workouts can let you burn off about 400 up to 600 calories in a span of one hour.

Similarly, it regulates the healthy beating of the heart.

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Basics Of Amateur Boxing

Basics Of Amateur Boxing

Boxing has been a favorite past time for many centuries. That is, from the times of the Egyptians in the 2nd millennium B.C. until now when there are more rules to govern the field and spectators to watch the not-so-brutal fights. This is evidenced partially by the inclusion of boxing in the modern Olympics since it started in 1908 as well as the popularity of professional boxing.

In their present forms, amateur boxing and professional boxing are different in many respects. Below are the marked differences that anyone who is considering a career in amateur boxing might want to know.

Amateur boxing is somewhat less popular than professional boxing an is oftentimes seen only in the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and other games sponsored by independent sports bodies. In some of the places in the former Soviet Union and Cuba, however, amateur boxing gathers more fans and enthusiasts than its counterpart.

Scoring system

The scoring system used for amateur boxing games is designed such that only the clean blows are recognized and scored instead of the damage that each blow renders.

Scoring

A clean blow is one that lands cleanly on the designated scoring points. To score, a boxer must land a clean contact with the knuckles of his glove either on the head or on the part of the body above the belt. Judges award the score by hitting the button of computer scoring system for each blow. Three out of the five ringside judges must hit the button in no less than one second apart.

During an infighting, that is when the fighters are fighting up close, scores are awarded to the player who throws the better punches or exchanges.

Blows that are not awarded are those that infringe the rules of amateur boxing, punches that did not land on the white strip of the gloves' knuckles and those that lack weight.

Rounds

Depending on which sports body is sponsoring the amateur boxing game, the number of minutes per round can vary between two to three minutes. Nonetheless, the number of rounds remain the same. For both the Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games, there are 4 rounds that last three minutes each. For other bouts, however, such as those sponsored by the Amateur Boxing Association, there are just two minutes for each bout.

Protective gears

Boxers are required to use protective headgears. Gloves have a white stripe around the knuckles. The official gloves weigh only 10 ounces and should have the standard white strip.

Officials

The main man on the ring is the referee who basically monitors the conduct of the players. He also takes care of maintaining fair play as well as regulate movements on the rings. He also addresses all violations in the ring.

Weights

Unlike professional boxing, amateur boxing only has the basic weight divisions. They consist of the following (from the lightest weight divisions to the heaviest weight divisions):

Light Flyweight

Flyweight

Bantamweight

Featherweight

Lightweight

Light Welterweight

Welterweight

Middleweight

Light Heavyweight

Heavyweight, and

Super Heavyweight

Basic Rules

Boxers are illegible only in the ring if they are wearing the proper protective gear and recommended shirts and pants.

The fighter with higher points, regardless of the power of the blows, wins.

The boxer must move fast since amateur boxing only lasts for 3 to 4 rounds, depending on the bout's sponsor.

The winning boxer is determined by the number of points except on bouts where the referee stopped the game. In case of a tie, the judges will deduct the worst and best scores from the total score of the boxer. The winner is the one with most points left.

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Basics Of Professional Boxing

Basics Of Professional Boxing

More than anything else, professional boxing was inspired by sheer love for manly fights and the price. Thus, the term "prizefighting".

The popularity of professional boxing begun in 18th century England where the working classes were the first avid fans and participants. It grew on until boxing caught the attention of top-hatted gentlemen and royalty. Today, professional boxing bouts are held around the globe where champions are drafted from various countries.

Scoring system

In professional boxing, unlike in amateur boxing, score is awarded based on the 10-point must system. This means that the three ringside judges should award the maximum number of points to the boxer who displayed better exchanges during a round while the loser for each round only gets 9 points. The scores are tallied on score cards which are totaled at the end of the fight. However, this may be skipped in case of a knockout (where one boxer receives a hard blow and is not able to stand up before the count of 10) or when there is a technical knockout (where the game is stopped by the referee due to various reasons).

Scoring

Scores are awarded based on the cleanliness of the punches, the defensive tactics the boxer uses and the display of effective aggressiveness. As it is, the scoring system is subject to lack of objectivity which often gives rise to questionable results.

Each knockdown deducts one point from the boxer who fell and penalties are awarded if the rules are infringed. On very serious violations, the game can be stopped and the violator can be disqualified.

As was earlier mentioned, scores are tallied at the end of the fight. If all the scorecards agree, the winner gets a "unanimous decision". It is a "split decision" when the winner only wins two scorecards. If the scores are tied, the decision is draw and it is still a draw if one judge picks a victor and the other two gave tied scores. However this time, it is called a "majority draw".

Rounds

Professional boxing fights can last for as long as 12 rounds of 3 minutes each and as short as 4 rounds for less experienced fighters. However, prior to 1982, professional boxing can last for as long as 15 pounds. The accidental death of the boxer Duk Koo Kim during a 15-round fight with Ray Mancini forced professional boxing organizations to trim down the rounds to only 12 rounds.

Weights

Weights in professional boxing can sometimes get confusing and for each weight, there could be further subdivisions that add more categories of fighters and champions alike. Below are the more common weight divisions in professional boxing:

Minimumweight

Light Flyweight

Flyweight

Super Flyweight

Bantamweight

Super Bantamweight

Featherweight

Super Featherweight

Lightweight

Light Welterweight

Welterweight

Light Middleweight

Middleweight

Super Middleweight

Light Heavyweight

Cruiserweight

Super-cruiserweight, and

Heavyweight

Other weight divisions include Strawweight, Jr. Flyweight, Jr. Bantamweight, Jr. Featherweight, Jr. Lightweight, Jr. Welterweight, and Jr. Middleweight.

Champions and Belt Holders

Due to the variety of professional boxing organizations like IBF, WBA and WBC and WBO, it is hard to determine which among the top ranking fighter and belt-holders are the champions. Currently though, there is no one governing body that could really produce champions.

There are, however, title holders, titlists and belt-holders and each sanctioning body, as they are often called, have different parameters for determining who the title holders are and who the mandatory challengers are.

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Boxing Gyms - Where Your Physical Workout Takes Place

Boxing Gyms - Where Your Physical Workout Takes Place

Boxing is one popular sport and there is no doubt to that. Anyhow, apart from those boxing enthusiasts who compete against other opponents for the sake of winning the title, there are other individuals who settle with honing their physical body, their stamina, and strength.

They are wise enough to think of an effective way of speeding up the entire process and that is by means of hitting the boxing gyms for more training. In the traditional modern gyms, there are pieces of equipment available and personal trainers to work with. However, if you do prefer a more personal environment and if your funds allow it, you may decide on setting up a home gym.

Boxing Gyms and the Need for them

Whether you plan to become a skilled boxer and be included in a match or you just want to take it as a body fitness training scheme, the one place that you must head to is the gym. It makes available the boxing ring, different kinds of bags, equipment, and the professional trainers who are going to be of help to you.

If you plan on hitting the gym, you should already have even the most basic knowledge as to how and what you will be doing there. If you get on with the practice without any knowledge on your part, you will just end up injured and devastated.

The Gym and What Comprises It

A gym that is meant for boxing training immediately takes a turn on the sets of equipment which are readily available. They are all prepared beforehand because you will have a need for them as you train. You will easily find yourself staring at the boxers who are skipping, shadow boxing, running, and devoting their time and effort to developing their skills all the more.

If you actually prefer to enroll yourself in some kind of training in the gym, then better be ready with your own physical shape. You should be quite exceptional since you need to pass all 12 up to 15 rounds of the match. You will be working with the pros or other trainees.

Now as you become one of them, you get your chance of practicing your punches, do sparring in the ring, and combine your knowledge with your strength and endurance to be able to knock off your opponent. Sure enough, you should learn the right tactics.

Other components of the gyms which you are most likely to find and benefit from are the locker rooms, the restrooms, the shower rooms, and the rest of the facilities which are meant for your comfort.

A Place for Socialization

Moreover, the gyms also open to you an opportunity to socialize. You can always make friends with the people there and get linked together because of the kind of sport that binds you. You can start off with building ties with the rest of your co-trainees and also be in good terms with the professional trainers.

Overall, if you are into this sport, better be sure to find the perfect boxing gym for you. Your abilities can be well honed if you are being handled by the right people. Who knows, you may rise as the next Muhammad Ali?

Thus, start creating a personality of your own as you train under the roof of the establishments such as the gyms that are solely meant for boxing training.

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Boxing A Taller Fighter

Boxing A Taller Fighter

The reason why fighters are divided by weight divisions is to prevent mismatches. But this doesn't include the height. As long as a fighter tips the scale within the limit of his weight division, it really doesn't matter weather he is tall and his opponent is small. So, if you are not a tall fighter, then there will be a number of occasions where you have to fight someone you literally have to look up to.

Boxing against a taller opponent possesses unique challenges. Definitely, his legs are longer, the reach advantage will go to his favor, and he can be a difficult target to hit since he can afford to stay farther than your striking distance.

At first look, you are in a complete disadvantage. But this doesn't mean that you are doomed to lose. Remember that Mike Tyson fought much taller opponents throughout his career and still became a heavyweight champ.

There are actually several ways on how to deal with these disadvantages.

Reach – Longer arms means your opponent gets in his striking distance before he can even get in yours. This is not a generalization but a boxers who knows that he has the reach advantage tends to stand back to play outside. So if you encounter this kind of boxer, cut that advantage as early in the fight as possible.

Outside fighter – It gets pretty frustrating if your opponent chooses to play his fight and not get into yours. Here, you have no choice but to bring the fight to him. In order to defeat an outside fighter with a significant reach advantage, you have to stay close. This may mean taking one-two combination while coming in, but once you are inside, stay there.

Insight fighting – Okay, you have decided to come in and in the process, receive some punches. Now it is at your hands to use everything in your arsenal to inflict as much damage as you can. Inside fighting is a style of its own and it will take years to develop the finesse and proper skill to become a good in this style. Still, you just have to remember a few things when dealing with taller opponent from the inside.

• First, since your opponent has longer arms, it is more difficult for him to throw short punches. Alternately, shorter arms gain more advantage in inside fighting.

• Second, never expose any of your vital organs. Inside fighting involves some uppercuts and punches on the sides. Keep your chin guarded with your gloves and your sides protected by tucking your arms as close to your body as possible.

• Third, do not hesitate to put your forehead on his chest. Doing this allows you to gauge your distance from your opponent, which will help you better judge the strength of your punches.

• Finally, keep throwing punches and if you can't throw anymore, either clinch or get out as fast as you can.

Choosing to fight an inside game against a taller opponent must require total authority and decisiveness. Never walk into your opponent hesitantly. Explode into him, corner him, push him back, and punish him. Do not become an easy target.

As a smaller boxer, you should be quicker. Never move in a straight line. Weave, duck, move sideways or do anything that will make you an elusive target. If you succeed in these, you have better chances of winning the fight.

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Basic Boxing Punches

Basic Boxing Punches

Boxing requires that you are able to move well, keep your hands up, stay strong throughout the game, and be tougher if your opponent is tough. But most of all, boxing requires you to learn how to thrown a punch properly. Below are the things you must first learn:

Straight – A straight punch is the quickest and most direct way to hit an opponent. Since it can be executed on the traditional stance, a boxer can use a straight punch at his disposal - more often than any other type of heavy punches in his arsenal. A straight punch is also the strongest and the most preferred knockout punch by many boxers.

It usually targets the head of the opponent and provides a fairly good amount of damage when set up by a job or used in combos. A (right/left) straight punch is also known as a (right/left) cross punch since it is thrown from the chin that produces a crossing motion across the body. A straight punch is usually thrown by the rear hand with power. When it follows a jab, this move is called the "one-two" combination.

Hook – There is no exact opposite to straight but hook is probably it. If a straight punch normally goes right in the middle of the face, a hook is usually aimed at the chin. A hook can only be done effectively by swinging the arm in a horizontal arc. It is best when set up by a jab and followed by an uppercut or another hook. It possesses a knockout power.

Uppercut – An uppercut is considered to be the most dangerous punch in boxing since it is the least used punch and thus the least practiced punch to avoid. It is a vertical punch that rises when thrown and usually targets the chin and torso. Uppercuts can be set up with a jab or thrown in combination.

It is the most effective punch to use during "inside fighting" or when boxers are close to one another. When executed properly, an uppercut can severely inflict great damage to your opponent. The manner which an uppercut is done is like curling your arm to pick up a bucket of water.

Jab - I have mentioned this last for a reason. Jab, while it is the least powerful, is the most important punch than any other punches known to boxing world. I didn't make this one up. The great Mohammad Ali used jabs more than 90% of the time. If jabs are the low-power boxing punches, how can it become the most important?

Jab has several purposes: it wears down the opponent gradually, it gives him a little sting, it keeps him away from you, and it can be used to set up stronger punches. In other words, jabs can be used both as an offense and as a defense.

A single punch is not enough to bring your opponent to the canvas. Once you learn the basic punches, you need to learn how to use it properly. Combination is crucial as it allows you to throw several punches, which increases the odds of hitting your opponent.

In theory a boxer should be able to thrown several punches in succession without losing his balance. By learning different combinations, not only you throw punches, you also throw it without making yourself vulnerable by your lack of balance.

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