Boxing as a sport has been around for a long time and over the years, evolution has occurred from rules to techniques to fighting styles.
One such change is the fighting styles of boxers. These styles are specific from one boxer to another, and a boxer is defined by the style with which he fights.
Some of these styles are intentionally learned, while some come naturally.
Every style has its distinct characteristic and advantage over the others.
There are majorly five styles in boxing:
Swarming
Slugging
Counter-punching
Boxing-punching
Out-fighting
This article will focus on the boxer-puncher style of fighting and highlight the characteristics, advantages, and boxers who embody the style.
What is a boxer-puncher?
This is the most dynamic style of boxing. It can be regarded as the combination of the other styles of boxing into one. A boxer-puncher can in instances be mistaken to be a slugger because they employ the punching power of a slugger.
A slugger possesses devastating blows that knock opponents out, a boxer-puncher employs this technique of the slugger; however, they have better defense and accuracy than a slugger.
At other times, boxer-punchers employ the hand speed and counter-punching skills of an out-boxer; although, they do not possess as much mobility as the out-boxer.
Boxer-punchers also try to overwhelm their opponents, just like the swarmer. They apply constant pressure against their opponent aggressively and relentlessly.
Sugar Ray Leonard was one of the pioneers of the boxer-puncher style
What are the characteristics of a boxer-puncher?
Some of the key features of a boxer-puncher are:
Body Structure
This style of fighting can only be chosen by boxers with the ideal body requirement. A boxer needs enough muscle strength to perfectly launch the boxer-puncher style and enough stamina to see off matches.
Special training routine
The boxer-puncher style requires that a boxer spends more in training. Unlike other fighting styles that require the knowledge and use of a particular technique, a boxer-puncher undergoes special training to master the different techniques of the major boxing styles – from speed to power to stamina to footwork.
Evander Holyfield was famous for being a boxer-puncher
What are the advantages of the boxer-puncher style?
A boxer-puncher is usually hard to fight against, their offensive style varies. When fighting against a slugger, they can stay out of range and thus, avoid the power punches. When against a swarmer, they throw powerful attacks on the inside and against an out-boxer; they move closer swiftly to deliver powerful punches.
They do not possess the inherent weaknesses of the other fighting styles. The boxer-puncher style combines the techniques of other styles while improving on their weaknesses. For example, a boxer-puncher possesses powerful punches of the slugger but with a better defense.
Some of the great boxer-punchers
Sugar Ray Leonard, one of the godfathers of the boxer-puncher style
