Which fighter do you try to copy?

[dfwtx]

I'm being trained in a similar style to the Cuban amateurs.

[boxingsmash69]

I try to emulate Antonio Margarito.



But with my chin, I get knocked down at least once in every sparring session.


Maybe it's time to stick to the textbook basics?

[Darkstranger]

Copying a fighters style is not necessarily a smart thing to do. Especially if you're amateur (which most, if not all, fighters in here are), trying to fight like a pro. This will not make you succesful as an amateur, and regardless of the fact that most of you would like to turn pro, a good amateur career is a much better springboard for doing so, than one where you've lost most of your fights as an am because you thought you were a pro. Focus on what you need to do to win your next fight, take it one step at a time, and good things will happen.

Well said Punch!

I try to watch alot of top level amateur bouts in the Super Heavyweight division to get a good idea on what I have to do win. Far too many people focus on their favourite pro and try to copy them in sparring. I guess we're all guilty of it when we first start boxing. There was a kid at my club who loved Prince Naseem and tried to box like him. Needless to say he often ended up with a sore nose after sparring.

[Equilibrium]

Honestly i don't try to emulate any boxer. Anyway, there is no good southpaw heavyweight that i know of.

[Flawless]

Another problem with emulating top pro's styles is that people tend to want to be like the really flashy guys, PBF, RJJ, Ali etc.
The thing is, these guys did a lot of things fundamentally wrong, that they could get away with, because they were freakishly talented. When someone who is a mere mortal (which, statistically, you all are) try to emulate them, you end up getting your ass handed to you, because you do not have the talent to be RJJ, PBF, Ali!

Like what???

[Darkstranger]

Like what???

Ali pulled straight back from punches with his hands down. He was a gifted athlete that could get away with it. Try that in a bout and you'll find yourself waking up in a hospital. I even read an article that claimed Ali had no defense in the strictest sense of the word. No boxing coach will ever teach you to defend yourself like Ali did in the ring.

People will always try to be a Tyson, Ali or RJJ, but the truth is you gotta find your own style which is natural to your physical attributes.

[No1]

Ali pulled straight back from punches with his hands down. He was a gifted athlete that could get away with it. Try that in a bout and you'll find yourself waking up in a hospital. I even read an article that claimed Ali had no defense in the strictest sense of the word. No boxing coach will ever teach you to defend yourself like Ali did in the ring.

People will always try to be a Tyson, Ali or RJJ, but the truth is you gotta find your own style which is natural to your physical attributes.

another great point. lots of people try to copy styles that dnt suit there build, im guilty of it what i used to do was get in close and throw short punches similar to figthers like tyson and cotto. but becuase im tall it wasnt really to effective and i lost my reach & height advantage. now when i spar i stand tall and use long punches similar to kessler and to a certain extent david haye.

[twoohands]

Another problem with emulating top pro's styles is that people tend to want to be like the really flashy guys, PBF, RJJ, Ali etc.
The thing is, these guys did a lot of things fundamentally wrong, that they could get away with, because they were freakishly talented. When someone who is a mere mortal (which, statistically, you all are) try to emulate them, you end up getting your ass handed to you, because you do not have the talent to be RJJ, PBF, Ali!

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just curious what does pretty boy floyd do fundamentally wrong, he seems pretty much technically perfect and mentally a step ahead to me.

[mspiegelo]

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just curious what does pretty boy floyd do fundamentally wrong, he seems pretty much technically perfect and mentally a step ahead to me.

yea... even though he can do things that others cant because of his speed (ie potshotting right hand leads), he still executes everything with very efficient, perfect form. if you learn to slip, fade, defend, move, throw punches as perfectly as floyd, you'll be in excellent shape. granted, if you are a little, squat guy with short arms and not a lot of speed, you may want to work on fighting with a different style... also, the fade/roll defense certainly doesn't work for everyone. a high guard a la clottey/winky is often a better fit, or perhaps the high guard/head movement combo of tyson for little guys trying to get in....

[Darkstranger]

another great point. lots of people try to copy styles that dnt suit there build, im guilty of it what i used to do was get in close and throw short punches similar to figthers like tyson and cotto. but becuase im tall it wasnt really to effective and i lost my reach & height advantage. now when i spar i stand tall and use long punches similar to kessler and to a certain extent david haye.

I hear that bro, I've tried to dance like Ali and gassed, I've tried to shoulder roll like Floyd and got hit with right and after right hand, I've tried to emulate Tyson and lost my physical advantage of long arms lol After a while it just hits you I just gotta train hard and through lots of sparring eventually a style will find me!

Floyd again, is another gifted athlete who makes the shoulder roll work for him. James Toney's another one who seems to just have this natural gift of rolling punches and instantly countering. Check out some of his sparring vids on Youtube, James Toney's shoulder rolls are just rediculous!