Expert: Jack Rose - 2/17/2008

Question
hi jackson. im just at the stage where i am beginning sparring at the gym, sometimes it can get quite intense though i can keep up with most people in the gym. one thing i notice is that i am always being chased by my opponent. i feel comfortable this way and come in for the attack a lot, but i always end up with them on me. a few times ive tried to change this and be the chaser but just end up having a head on with them. im just a little worried that during training im missing something about movements that you could help me with, it could help me understand the sport a little better. thanks

Answer
Hi Jon,   The movement is good but in an amateur fight you will have to train to be more aggressive. Moving as much as you do will usually turn you into a counter puncher. The problem with that is an amateur fight only last 3 rounds (4 if your open). Counter punchers usually have great conditioning and they count on the later rounds to rack up points as the other guy wears down. So it is harder to win an amateur fight with this style rather than a pro fight. I'm not saying it can't be done, but just saying the odds are against you and you would have to a masterful counter puncher to pull it off consistently. You need to throw first, initiate the action. Keep him on defense as much as possible. When he comes at you don't take more than one step back then quickly move to the side. But you are not moving out of range you are staying in punching range, you are just changing your angle. Also you need to really polish up your inside game. All amateurs are told to not back up so this means you are going to come together a lot, which means you will need to win those inside battles. If you are mainly an outside fighter, you should learn to get your punches off inside and then change your angle to slide back out....but never back straight out of an inside exchange, always slide out at an angle and with your hands up. Don't hang out inside either, get your work done and then slide out. Also, you need to work on your power punches and make sure you can unload some leather when you come forward. If you are having a head on when you come forward then he is not respecting your power. When you come forward with a combination, you have to sit down on your punches. Even if only one punch lands out of a 4 punch combination you want him to remember it. After the first big shot he will respect that punch the rest of the fight and likely move back more often. If he is simply just stronger than you, then go back to what I said about getting in, getting one combo off and then sliding out. Your still first and you are controlling the fight.

Thanks and good luck

Jackson