Official Boxing Thread for Videos, History, Interviews, Analysis, etc.

[Hades]

Nice thread.

It's always funny to me how quickly many people dismiss boxing as a martial art (usually on the internet). Over the years I've lost count of how many times I've read some keyboard jockey go on about how boxing is not effective compared to other martial arts because it doesn't use kicks, or elbows, or grappling, etc... They will usually then proceed to pimp some Asian martial art that's supposedly THE MOST DANGEROUS IN THE WORLD or some such nonsense. (Or lately, you see a lot of clowns talking about Krav Maga, which is little more than a bunch of over-choreographed drills straight out of an action movie).

It's always painfully obvious that idiots like this have never even seen, much been in any type of real street fight. They get all their opinions on street fighting from the movies. The reality is that boxing is by far the most effective and versatile martial art for real-world fighting. Period. No other martial art gives you the combination of offense, defense and mobility that boxing does, and no other martial art allows a competent practitioner the ability to defeat multiple unarmed opponents the way boxing does.

Kickboxing and Muay Thai are close seconds, but boxing ultimately trumps them in my experience, because it's very rarely advantageous to take your feet off the ground during a street fight, since it's very easy to trip/slip on something and end up on the ground, which is the last place you want to be. Yeah, it's nice to have an arsenal of kicks and knees, but fast hands, good head movement and adroit footwork are much more important for walking away from a street fight.

Boxing for life.

Scorpion, just curious, have you been in a street fight? Do you box?
I agree that boxing >>>>> all stupid martial arts, but one on one a few judo moves like the backsweep is good shit, if "Watch My Back" is to be believed (great book!).

I haven't been in a street fight but want to sometime soon. Picking fights at bars in the US is a pain in the ass because most people either chicken, start yelling, or get like four of their friends to beat the shit out of you and leave your beaten body near the overpass for homeless crack addicts to (probably) abuse somehow. Or they just freak out and call the cops. The honor code of old has been unwisely cast aside and methinks it makes people more asinine and less polite. My guess is that I'll get into one serious fight and probably end up a pacifist but I don't know for sure until it happens.

A guy can get some kind of a complex if he is itching for a fight but can never get one. I guess I'll just find a boxing gym or maybe see if my friends are interested in fight club type shit but curious if you have any tips. Thanks man.

 

[JayMillz]

Floyd Mayweather Jr. has demonstrated that he is the ultimate fighter for his weight class.

He does have a great win streak. It would have been nice if he would have fought Manny Pacquiáo when people were calling for the fight. I have a much greater respect for guys like Sugar Ray, Roy Jones and Holyfield because they took risks and fought in multiple weight classes. Roy Jones Jr was a champ in multiple weight classes.

After you clean out your weight class, you can move to another weight class to continue to get quality fights and greater challenges. Mayweather seems to be more concerned with protecting his winning streak, as novices will use that to argue he is/was the best of all time. I'm sure other great fighters could have sat back in their comfort zone and accumulated wins. Roy Jones Jr fights were exciting and great entertainment. Sugar Ray fought wars against guys like Herns. Ali fought the great ones like George Forman and even the dangerous Ernie Shavers. I guess I need to study up on Mayweather Jr because his fights don't stand out to me.

 

[Teedub]

^ Mayweather's frame is too small for him to realistically operate any higher than Light-Middle, without severely compromising himself unnecessarily. There's a selection of stats I've posted below. They're pretty damn impressive and, at least for me, confirm he is the greatest boxer out of the ones you listed, and probably of all time.

http://www.boxinginsider.com/columns/floyd-mayweather-the-greatest-of-them-all/

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...st-of-all-time-according-to-compubox-at-least

That said, RJJ is probably in my top 3 favourites to watch (in his prime), Mayweather isn't even in my top 5.

 

[JayMillz]

The way to accumulate great stats. This is the greatest fighter of all time?

 

[Dexter Moser]

Floyd is supremely talented at two things: anticipating the other fighters movements, and making money. Recall that early in his career he was portrayed as a good guy because of his looks and articulation, "Pretty Boy Floyd". He himself sought to put on a black hat, appear arrogant and anti-Mexican, for no other reason than to draw pay per view viewers to his matches - they paid to see him be defeated! I think he's much more nuanced, and much smarter, than what you see on shows like 24-7 or now, All Access.

As far as pure boxing ability, he has enormous talent. I don't think he'll go down with Ray Robinson and Ray Leonard because he didn't face the opposition they faced, and he also doesn't take a punch as well as they did. But talent-wise, he isn't far off. He chose to focus less on making a legacy and avoided some tough fights (Margarito, Pacquiao) and more on earning $. It's hard to blame him - he's the one risking brain damage with each fight.

 

[Kickb]

Anyone watch the Coto fight last night on HBO?

I'm not sure how his opponent landed that fight. Coto tore that dude up.

 

[scorpion]

Scorpion, just curious, have you been in a street fight? Do you box?
I agree that boxing >>>>> all stupid martial arts, but one on one a few judo moves like the backsweep is good shit, if "Watch My Back" is to be believed (great book!).

I haven't been in a street fight but want to sometime soon. Picking fights at bars in the US is a pain in the ass because most people either chicken, start yelling, or get like four of their friends to beat the shit out of you and leave your beaten body near the overpass for homeless crack addicts to (probably) abuse somehow. Or they just freak out and call the cops. The honor code of old has been unwisely cast aside and methinks it makes people more asinine and less polite. My guess is that I'll get into one serious fight and probably end up a pacifist but I don't know for sure until it happens.

A guy can get some kind of a complex if he is itching for a fight but can never get one. I guess I'll just find a boxing gym or maybe see if my friends are interested in fight club type shit but curious if you have any tips. Thanks man.

It's not that other martial arts are "stupid" or don't have good things about them (Judo throws can be really nasty, that's true). It's just that boxing is by far the most effective and versatile martial art to know for real world fighting. Almost all the street fights I've witnessed and participated in have been won and lost by how well the guys involved can keep a cool head, throw hands well, dodge/take a punch and keep their balance. That's about it. And boxing teaches you all of those things. I've never seen a guy do a judo throw, a spinning kick or a triangle choke in a street fight. It's mostly wild punches, clinches and if a former wrestler is involved, a double leg followed by some awkward ground and pound. Most fights also start and end very quickly. Boxing gives you the best offense and defense for these short bursts, and most importantly of all makes your movements instinctual. Instead of thinking, "Oh shit, I'm in a fight" and following your natural programming of just swinging wildly and hugging in a clinch (which is pretty much what an untrained person invariably does in a fight) your body will respond without you having to think about it. You will naturally throw your hands in combinations, you will keep your chin tucked and your head moving and you will use your feet to maintain balance and circle.

Really to be honest though, you're much better off avoiding street fights rather than looking for them. Find a good boxing/MMA gym if you want to test yourself. Once you develop some skills and can go toe to toe with some tough guys at your gym, you'll realize that the average guy in the street has got nothing for you anyway. At that point the idea of picking fights with random guys should be about as appealing as beating up a little kid. Of course, if some shithead wants to cause trouble, you'll be prepared to end it very quickly. The confidence you get from being good with your hands is usually enough to keep you from feeling like you have to prove anything by fighting. There's just no point unless the guy is really asking for it.

I have not boxed in a few years now, but I'm sort of getting the itch to pick it up again.

 

[Merenguero]

Anyone watch the Coto fight last night on HBO?

I'm not sure how his opponent landed that fight. Coto tore that dude up.

I didn't watch the fight (I would have, but I forgot that it was taking place), but it was really just a tune-up for Cotto. At this point, I don't think he would have much of a chance against top-tier guys like Alvarez or Martinez, both of whom are being mentioned as possible opponents for him.

 

[DVY]

This thread makes me want to learn boxing. Its def. on my TD list for life, but the gym and bulking up is still currently more important.

How long did it take you guys to get proficient at boxing? Any tips for a beginner/novice?

 

[LeBeau]

Anyone watch the Coto fight last night on HBO?

I'm not sure how his opponent landed that fight. Coto tore that dude up.

I didn't watch the fight (I would have, but I forgot that it was taking place), but it was really just a tune-up for Cotto. At this point, I don't think he would have much of a chance against top-tier guys like Alvarez or Martinez, both of whom are being mentioned as possible opponents for him.

Anyone else who missed it and wants to see it:

[video=dailymotion]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/k2c9nfwhgKIdpd4JeQM[/MEDIA]

 

[thegmanifesto]

The heyday of boxing is over. Like hip hop and sex b4 AIDS, just a memory.

They called the heyday of boxing already over during the Ali era as well.

Hell, I was watching a documentary on Jack Johnson and they were calling the sport finished back then.

And that was over a hundred years ago.

The way to accumulate great stats. This is the greatest fighter of all time?

I actually loved that fight.

Ortiz violated Rule #1 of Boxing and paid the penalty.

 

[JayMillz]

They called the heyday of boxing already over during the Ali era as well.

Hell, I was watching a documentary on Jack Johnson and they were calling the sport finished back then.

Anybody can say anything. I expressed my opinion. I don't know who these "they" are and haven't seen any sources so I don't know why "they" had that opinion.

I'm sure there are those that think present day boxing is great. The last fight I went to see was Cotto vs Pacquiao and I haven't been to a boxing match or even watched one on TV since. In fact, I'd rather watch MMA than boxing these days.

After watching guys like the "Black Destroyer" win 44 of his 47 fights by knockout (he never had to sucker punch a guy to knock him out) the present day boxers don't excite me.

 

[LeBeau]

Another good compilation clip with analysis:

 

[Hencredible Casanova]

I actually loved that fight.

Ortiz violated Rule #1 of Boxing and paid the penalty.

I enjoyed the fight up until that point. I know the rule is what it is, but it also came across as bad sportsmanship. I think Floyd was still angered by Ortiz's gratuitous head butt and saw an opportunity to nip it in the bud before even squaring up. Ortiz was energized and giving Floyd some trouble in the flurries up until that moment.

Mayweather is an outstanding boxer but I hate how he lacks power in his punches and rarely gets a KO, especially when facing a top challenger (almost always goes to decision). That's what counts against him when comparing him with the all-time greats. They all had masterful KOs in many of their big fights.

 

[Hencredible Casanova]

Scorpion, just curious, have you been in a street fight? Do you box?
I agree that boxing >>>>> all stupid martial arts, but one on one a few judo moves like the backsweep is good shit, if "Watch My Back" is to be believed (great book!).

I haven't been in a street fight but want to sometime soon. Picking fights at bars in the US is a pain in the ass because most people either chicken, start yelling, or get like four of their friends to beat the shit out of you and leave your beaten body near the overpass for homeless crack addicts to (probably) abuse somehow. Or they just freak out and call the cops. The honor code of old has been unwisely cast aside and methinks it makes people more asinine and less polite. My guess is that I'll get into one serious fight and probably end up a pacifist but I don't know for sure until it happens.

A guy can get some kind of a complex if he is itching for a fight but can never get one. I guess I'll just find a boxing gym or maybe see if my friends are interested in fight club type shit but curious if you have any tips. Thanks man.

It's not that other martial arts are "stupid" or don't have good things about them (Judo throws can be really nasty, that's true). It's just that boxing is by far the most effective and versatile martial art to know for real world fighting. Almost all the street fights I've witnessed and participated in have been won and lost by how well the guys involved can keep a cool head, throw hands well, dodge/take a punch and keep their balance. That's about it. And boxing teaches you all of those things. I've never seen a guy do a judo throw, a spinning kick or a triangle choke in a street fight. It's mostly wild punches, clinches and if a former wrestler is involved, a double leg followed by some awkward ground and pound. Most fights also start and end very quickly. Boxing gives you the best offense and defense for these short bursts, and most importantly of all makes your movements instinctual. Instead of thinking, "Oh shit, I'm in a fight" and following your natural programming of just swinging wildly and hugging in a clinch (which is pretty much what an untrained person invariably does in a fight) your body will respond without you having to think about it. You will naturally throw your hands in combinations, you will keep your chin tucked and your head moving and you will use your feet to maintain balance and circle.

Really to be honest though, you're much better off avoiding street fights rather than looking for them. Find a good boxing/MMA gym if you want to test yourself. Once you develop some skills and can go toe to toe with some tough guys at your gym, you'll realize that the average guy in the street has got nothing for you anyway. At that point the idea of picking fights with random guys should be about as appealing as beating up a little kid. Of course, if some shithead wants to cause trouble, you'll be prepared to end it very quickly. The confidence you get from being good with your hands is usually enough to keep you from feeling like you have to prove anything by fighting. There's just no point unless the guy is really asking for it.

I have not boxed in a few years now, but I'm sort of getting the itch to pick it up again.

Many truths here. I took up boxing during college and recreationally in the past year. Almost anyone who does MMA/Boxing will say the best thing to do in real life is try to avoid a scrap. Discipline is sacrosanct and only fucking idiots look for problems.

That said, solid footwork and defense is VERY underestimated. IMO, throwing a punch is the easiest aspect of boxing.

Even if an opponent is more athletic/explosive than you, you can use deft footwork and leverage their momentum against them.

This is a cool video of how simple head movements can help you win a street fight.



And for more complex defense hacks, just check out this clip of Mayweather's tricks. The dude's defensive arsenal is insane (high guard, shoulder roll, forearm clinch, etc). It's easy to miss this stuff when watching a fight in real time but, as you can see, there's a lot of technique involved.

 

[cardguy]

I love Butterbean. He is a monster.

 

[thegmanifesto]

They called the heyday of boxing already over during the Ali era as well.

Hell, I was watching a documentary on Jack Johnson and they were calling the sport finished back then.

Anybody can say anything. I expressed my opinion. I don't know who these "they" are and haven't seen any sources so I don't know why "they" had that opinion.

I'm sure there are those that think present day boxing is great. The last fight I went to see was Cotto vs Pacquiao and I haven't been to a boxing match or even watched one on TV since. In fact, I'd rather watch MMA than boxing these days.

After watching guys like the "Black Destroyer" win 44 of his 47 fights by knockout (he never had to sucker punch a guy to knock him out) the present day boxers don't excite me.

Fair enough.

 

[MidniteSpecial]

I heard they are offering Lenox Lewis 100 mil to fight one of the klitcho brothers. Lenox is 48. Hey, Hopkins did it.

 

[Merenguero]

I heard they are offering Lenox Lewis 100 mil to fight one of the klitcho brothers. Lenox is 48. Hey, Hopkins did it.

I don't think they are offering him $100 million. I think they offered him $50 million and he said that he would come back if they paid him $100 million.

 

[Kingsley Davis]

"Orlando Cruz will wear rainbow colors, pink gloves to support LGBT community, breast cancer awareness"

"LAS VEGAS -- Featherweight contender Orlando Cruz will fight for a world title for the first time on Saturday when he meets tough Orlando Salido at the Thomas & Mack Center on the undercard of the Timothy Bradley-Juan Manuel Marquez pay-per-view.
It is, by far, the biggest stage that Cruz has had for one of his bouts. To take advantage of the exposure, Cruz plans to wear pink boxing gloves and a pink-trimmed ring jacket to help show support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

But Cruz, boxing's first openly gay fighter, will also wear rainbow-colored trunks, to support the LGBT movement. The rainbow flag is a symbol of the movement and was created in 1978 in San Francisco to urge inclusiveness for all.
Everlast made the trunks and the gloves in collaboration with Cruz.

Cruz, who is scheduled to marry boyfriend Jose Manuel in New York on Nov. 16, is 20-2-1 with 10 knockouts. Salido is 39-12-2 with 27 KOs.

They will meet for the vacant WBO featherweight championship."

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/boxin...olors-pink-gloves-support-223617755--box.html