Boxing Fighting Styles

Boxing is a combative sport in which the fighters' only weapons are their fists. In the modern era professional boxers wear gloves and fight three-minute rounds. A referee is in the ring to keep the fight is fair while judges sit at ringside scoring the fight using a point system. Boxers basically use four punches: the jab (which is used to set up various power punches), the straight right or left hand (which is a straightforward punch that derives most of its power and force from the shoulder), the hook (a swinging, bent-elbow punch) and the uppercut (whose power comes from the legs). Fighters adopt many styles and seldom are two styles alike. A fighter will go with what suits his strength, body type and agility.

  1. Out Fighting

    • An out fighter will use footwork to avoid an opponents attack while countering with jabs

      An "out fighter" is a boxer who will create distance between his opponent. This style is a classic typically suited to a fighter with longer arms. The out fighter will use jabs (short punches meant to keep an opponent off balance) to set up power punches like hooks, overhands and uppercuts. The out fighter uses footwork to dance and avoid an opponent while looking to score points with jabs.

    In Fighter

    • In fighters take away time and space and tend to frustrate opponents with their attack

      In fighters move in to their opponents and use body shots to punish. In fighters try to get in as close as possible and use power punches like uppercuts to deliver the most punishment possible. In fighters tend to frustrate opponents by smothering them and keeping them off-rhythm with clinches.

    Counter Punchers

    • Counter punching is an effective technique for conserving energy

      Counter punching is an effective, defensive style of boxing in which a fighter allows his opponent to bring the fight instead of continually attacking. A good counter puncher conserves his strength and picks and chooses his spots. Counter punching is effective because it causes the opponent to expend far more energy and sets him up for a knockout punch. A counter puncher is patient, defensive and reacts quickly and effectively.

    Brawling or Swarming

    • Brawlers fight with brute strenght rather than relying on technique

      Brawling, which is sometimes called swarming, is when a fighter comes full force at his opponent, throwing any and every type of punch he can muster. A brawler is short on technique but long on strength. This swarming can overwhelm an opponent and force him into a defensive, protective mode. A brawler fights more like a street fighter than a classically trained boxer and uses brute strength and energy to fell his opponent. Brawlers are difficult to defend against because they aren't predictable and their punches and jabs can come from anywhere.