Expert: Jack Rose - 9/11/2010

Question
Hi Jackson, I've been boxing and sparring for 20yrs, I have a couple of things maybe you have answers for. From the outside fighting position whats best way to get more kos. Also how to go more rounds, I know its more than just running. I used to fight at a high tempo but now being 41 and sparring I seem to have hard time going over 4rds. I know to old lol.

Answer
Jay,

Assuming your right handed.

From the outside, you are trying to set up a clean righthand. The answer depends on what your opponent is doing and how experienced he is. A novice fighter will likely not be moving his head correctly if at all. He also is not good yet at picking punches. So sometimes it's just as simple as stepping in with a right hand. But the problem is that guys don't explode in with the righthand, they just wander in. When you throw a righthand you have to throw it with bad intentions and trow it straight. This means keeping your feet under you (not leaning forward), knees are bent, and your pushing off your back foot.

A more experienced opponent will not be as easy to hit. Your timing becomes the main game. You are trying to time him with his hands relaxed or catch him while he is in the process of punching at you.

Pacing your rounds is important. In the amateurs, you are really trying to just win the round without being exhausted. Aside from conditioning you have to know the tricks of the defensive trade. What you are doing is buying time without getting punched at so your not really expending much energy. Then you come back with a burst of offense. Once you learn this style, it is very hard to lose an amateur fight. Work on throwing combinations and then falling in behind them, smothering him. Trying to move away from punches all the time is what makes you really tired.
The pros are a different game because of the length of the fight.

good luck