From time to time you will come across this guy: he is less skilled than you, he doesn’t believe in defense, he doesn’t have patterns or combinations; just come in front with quick machine gun-style hits. I’m not talking about fast, high-volume punchers like Pacquiao or P. Williams, these guys have style and head movement and footwork to complement their onslaught. I’m talking about the ignorant who just comes from the front. The problem is that he probably has a decent amount of stamina and speed, and if you’re not sure how to handle this guy, you might have to wait until round three to really get his number, if you’re having a bad day, even that might not happen. These guys can make you look bad while unleashing a rage on you, and even more so if they brought their girlfriend to impress.
I’ve run these guys three ways, not all of them will work the same depending on your opponent’s speed and your current level of fitness. These are fighting strategies, general strategies that you’ll find work especially well against fighters with lower skill machine guns.
1) Strengthen your defense and tighten it. The quickshot puncher generally has no idea how to move back, let alone fight moving back, they expect you to follow the game plan that if he is going to move forward, you will either back off or stay where you are. This is perfect for him as he can gauge the distance (like he does on the bag) and use momentum to chase you down as you retreat. The other thing he loves is a fight, he brings you down to his level and negates the finer points of your game. So here’s what I recommend, adopt a Winky Wright-style defense, hands up, elbows to the ribs, forearms as pillars. Make sure your hands are slightly open and your palms are turned in slightly to prevent uppercuts from finding their way easily (see the picture below, I’ve removed a glove so you can see the position of the hand ).
Once you’ve got this stance, move towards your opponent, walk into their striking range, and when they start to shoot, take a step closer. It helps if you can twist your body left and right at the same time and absorb the blows, but it’s not necessary, try to make him feel uncomfortably close, if he tries to adjust the distance then move closer. Most of the time he will step back to gain space or catch his breath, and this is when you go on the attack. It’s very rare that I’d recommend throwing a straight right, but this is one of those times, the minute he backs off, you go in and unload the straight right and left hook, if it lands, throw a few more punches and reset. . I recommend being close but walking to the right or left, don’t give it space, it creates angles. Above all, stay relaxed and keep your eyes on his upper chest or neck, don’t let his attack take away your vision.
2) Go to the race. If your opponent has poor footwork and is having trouble chasing down a mobile opponent, use your lateral movement and quick runs in and out. Let him know that he’s going to have to take risks to catch you, that he’s going to time you perfectly, and put you on the ropes or in the corner for a chance. I have most often used this strategy in the first round of a fight when my opponent thinks he is going to intimidate me with a barrage of slurs and growls. Don’t let him fool you, your dexterity and ability to weather this storm is the mark of a true fighter, stay calm and come forward with a steadfast defense, and don’t forget to return the favor a minute into the round. The beauty of knowing that you can outrun your opponent is that you will most likely be able to catch them when you decide to go on the offensive.
3) Hit when he is hitting. This is a bit of Jeet Kune Do theory here, and boxing already has it built in. For the quick throw shooter, I would avoid throwing if he is in the middle of his attack, the best time to throw is when he starts.
Stay light on your feet and measure the distance and keep moving from side to side, when he is in range and about to shoot, then YOU shoot. However, there are some rules for this:
Keep your head off the center line when you throw, this means slip and jab and follow up with more punches, or slip as you throw your right hand, or go lower and throw to the body. Don’t go straight in with your head in the middle, that’s where you’ll shoot.
DO NOT stand still when you throw, or move your shot forward and intercept it, or step back and throw the left hook as you back up. Don’t be a sitting duck.
This applies all the time, but be especially mindful of your chin and non-punching hand. If you are going to walk into a thrashing fire, stand firm, this is not a time to be loose and slippery.