As all us loyal MMA / boxing fans probably know, there's quite a handful of boxing styles.
All of these styles prove quite entertaining you could very well say, to say the least it might even sometimes be hard to determine which style a boxer falls in under, but what I'm interested to know is which of these styles would you consider to be your favorite, the better, whichever category you wanna throw them in under to determine what you would rather watch.
Personally I'm very much for the boxer/puncher category because of the well-rounded boxing styles they present with a lot of technique, I have to admit I failed to find any place where it's described what style Mikkel Kessler fights, but I would highly consider this style to be the style of Mikkel Kessler, who happens to be my favorite boxer and athlete as a whole.
So how about you?
Boxer/Out-fighter
A classic "boxer" or stylist (also known as an "out-fighter") seeks to maintain distance between himself and his opponent, fighting with faster, longer range punches, most notably the jab, and gradually wearing his opponent down. Due to this reliance on weaker punches, out-fighters tend to win by point decisions rather than by knockout, though some out-fighters have notable knockout records. They are often regarded as the best boxing strategists due to their ability to control the pace of the fight and lead their opponent, methodically wearing him down and exhibiting more skill and finesse than a brawler[citation needed]. Out-fighters need reach, hand speed, reflexes, and footwork.
Notable out-fighters include Muhammad Ali, Gene Tunney[18], Ezzard Charles[19], Willie Pep[20], Meldrick Taylor, Larry Holmes, Roy Jones Jr. ,Sugar Ray Leonard , Oscar de la Hoya, and Joe Calzaghe.
A classic "boxer" or stylist (also known as an "out-fighter") seeks to maintain distance between himself and his opponent, fighting with faster, longer range punches, most notably the jab, and gradually wearing his opponent down. Due to this reliance on weaker punches, out-fighters tend to win by point decisions rather than by knockout, though some out-fighters have notable knockout records. They are often regarded as the best boxing strategists due to their ability to control the pace of the fight and lead their opponent, methodically wearing him down and exhibiting more skill and finesse than a brawler[citation needed]. Out-fighters need reach, hand speed, reflexes, and footwork.
Notable out-fighters include Muhammad Ali, Gene Tunney[18], Ezzard Charles[19], Willie Pep[20], Meldrick Taylor, Larry Holmes, Roy Jones Jr. ,Sugar Ray Leonard , Oscar de la Hoya, and Joe Calzaghe.
Boxer/Puncher
A boxer-puncher is a well-rounded boxer who is able to fight at close range with a combination of technique and power, often with the ability to knock opponents out with a combination and in some instances a single shot. Their movement and tactics are similar to that of an out-fighter (although they are generally not as mobile as an out-fighter), but instead of winning by decision, they tend to wear their opponents down using combinations and then move in to score the knockout. A boxer must be well rounded to be effective using this style.
Notable punchers include Manny Pacquiao, Sam Langford[21], Henry Armstrong[22], Joe Louis[23], Sugar Ray Robinson[24], Tony Zale, Archie Moore, Carlos Monzón[25], Alexis Argüello, Erik Morales, Lennox Lewis, Wladimir Klitschko ,Terry Norris and Thomas Hearns.
A boxer-puncher is a well-rounded boxer who is able to fight at close range with a combination of technique and power, often with the ability to knock opponents out with a combination and in some instances a single shot. Their movement and tactics are similar to that of an out-fighter (although they are generally not as mobile as an out-fighter), but instead of winning by decision, they tend to wear their opponents down using combinations and then move in to score the knockout. A boxer must be well rounded to be effective using this style.
Notable punchers include Manny Pacquiao, Sam Langford[21], Henry Armstrong[22], Joe Louis[23], Sugar Ray Robinson[24], Tony Zale, Archie Moore, Carlos Monzón[25], Alexis Argüello, Erik Morales, Lennox Lewis, Wladimir Klitschko ,Terry Norris and Thomas Hearns.
Brawler/Slugger
A brawler is a fighter who generally lacks finesse and footwork in the ring, but makes up for it through sheer punching power. Many brawlers tend to lack mobility, preferring a less mobile, more stable platform and have difficulty pursuing fighters who are fast on their feet. They may also have a tendency to ignore combination punching in favour of continuous beat-downs with one hand and by throwing slower, more powerful single punches (such as hooks and uppercuts). Their slowness and predictable punching pattern (single punches with obvious leads) often leaves them open to counter punches, so successful brawlers must be able to absorb substantial amounts of punishment. A brawler's most important assets are power and chin (the ability to absorb punishment while remaining able to continue boxing).
Notable brawlers include David Tua, Ricky Hatton, Stanley Ketchel[26], Max Baer[27], Jake Lamotta, Roberto Durán, Rocky Graziano[28], Sonny Liston[29] and George Foreman, Juan Urango.
A brawler is a fighter who generally lacks finesse and footwork in the ring, but makes up for it through sheer punching power. Many brawlers tend to lack mobility, preferring a less mobile, more stable platform and have difficulty pursuing fighters who are fast on their feet. They may also have a tendency to ignore combination punching in favour of continuous beat-downs with one hand and by throwing slower, more powerful single punches (such as hooks and uppercuts). Their slowness and predictable punching pattern (single punches with obvious leads) often leaves them open to counter punches, so successful brawlers must be able to absorb substantial amounts of punishment. A brawler's most important assets are power and chin (the ability to absorb punishment while remaining able to continue boxing).
Notable brawlers include David Tua, Ricky Hatton, Stanley Ketchel[26], Max Baer[27], Jake Lamotta, Roberto Durán, Rocky Graziano[28], Sonny Liston[29] and George Foreman, Juan Urango.
Swarmers/In-fighter
In-fighters/swarmers (sometimes called "pressure fighters") attempt to stay close to an opponent, throwing intense flurries and combinations of hooks and uppercuts. A successful in-fighter often needs a good "chin" because swarming usually involves being hit with many jabs before they can maneuver inside where they are more effective. In-fighters operate best at close range because they are generally shorter and have less reach than their opponents and thus are more effective at a short distance where the longer arms of their opponents make punching awkward. However, several fighters tall for their division have been relatively adept at in-fighting as well as out-fighting. The essence of a swarmer is non-stop aggression. Many short in-fighters utilize their stature to their advantage, employing a bob-and-weave defense by bending at the waist to slip underneath or to the sides of incoming punches. Unlike blocking, causing an opponent to miss a punch disrupts his balance, permits forward movement past the opponent's extended arm and keeps the hands free to counter. Some in-fighters have been known for being notoriously hard to hit. The key to a swarmer is aggression, endurance, chin, and bobbing-and-weaving.
Notable in-fighters include Mike Tyson, Harry Greb[30], Jack Dempsey[31], Rocky Marciano[32], Joe Frazier, Jake LaMotta, and Julio César Chávez.
In-fighters/swarmers (sometimes called "pressure fighters") attempt to stay close to an opponent, throwing intense flurries and combinations of hooks and uppercuts. A successful in-fighter often needs a good "chin" because swarming usually involves being hit with many jabs before they can maneuver inside where they are more effective. In-fighters operate best at close range because they are generally shorter and have less reach than their opponents and thus are more effective at a short distance where the longer arms of their opponents make punching awkward. However, several fighters tall for their division have been relatively adept at in-fighting as well as out-fighting. The essence of a swarmer is non-stop aggression. Many short in-fighters utilize their stature to their advantage, employing a bob-and-weave defense by bending at the waist to slip underneath or to the sides of incoming punches. Unlike blocking, causing an opponent to miss a punch disrupts his balance, permits forward movement past the opponent's extended arm and keeps the hands free to counter. Some in-fighters have been known for being notoriously hard to hit. The key to a swarmer is aggression, endurance, chin, and bobbing-and-weaving.
Notable in-fighters include Mike Tyson, Harry Greb[30], Jack Dempsey[31], Rocky Marciano[32], Joe Frazier, Jake LaMotta, and Julio César Chávez.
Counter puncher
Counter punchers are slippery, defensive style fighters who often rely on their opponent's mistakes in order to gain the advantage whether it be on the score cards or more preferably a knockout. They use their well rounded defense to avoid or block shots and then immediately catch the opponent off guard with a well placed and timed punch. Thus, fighting against counter punchers require constant feinting and never telegraphing a punch for the counter puncher to generate a good offense from. To be successful using this style they must have good reflexes, intelligence, punch accuracy, and good hand speed.
Notable counter punchers include Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Jerry Quarry, Ricardo Lopez, Bernard Hopkins, Vitali Klitschko ,James Toney, Marvin Hagler, Evander Holyfield, Juan Manuel Márquez, and Pernell Whitaker.
Counter punchers are slippery, defensive style fighters who often rely on their opponent's mistakes in order to gain the advantage whether it be on the score cards or more preferably a knockout. They use their well rounded defense to avoid or block shots and then immediately catch the opponent off guard with a well placed and timed punch. Thus, fighting against counter punchers require constant feinting and never telegraphing a punch for the counter puncher to generate a good offense from. To be successful using this style they must have good reflexes, intelligence, punch accuracy, and good hand speed.
Notable counter punchers include Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Jerry Quarry, Ricardo Lopez, Bernard Hopkins, Vitali Klitschko ,James Toney, Marvin Hagler, Evander Holyfield, Juan Manuel Márquez, and Pernell Whitaker.
All of these styles prove quite entertaining you could very well say, to say the least it might even sometimes be hard to determine which style a boxer falls in under, but what I'm interested to know is which of these styles would you consider to be your favorite, the better, whichever category you wanna throw them in under to determine what you would rather watch.
Personally I'm very much for the boxer/puncher category because of the well-rounded boxing styles they present with a lot of technique, I have to admit I failed to find any place where it's described what style Mikkel Kessler fights, but I would highly consider this style to be the style of Mikkel Kessler, who happens to be my favorite boxer and athlete as a whole.
So how about you?