A Career shortening fighting style ?

[dalcumly]

The Americans like to see fighters going to 'toe to toe ' . Ricky Hatton fought this way and his brother is performing in a similar fashion . Last night Gary Buckland and Gary Sykes did the exact same . This no doubt makes for exciting fights - and as a fan , its great entertainment . But , when you stand with your gloves in front of your face and move forward ,prepared to except blows to the head, and the occasional 'rib bender ' downstairs , you are intent on getting inside and letting go or countering anything your opponent throws . This suggests to me that the fighter is not quick or skilful enough to stand back and either block or evade shots , and then counter from distance . To be honest its far easier to simply get the head down ,gloves up and get stuck in . But , and anyone whose been in a ring will tell you , being punched around the head ,even with the gloves up isn't funny !!! And to do this for 12 rounds isn't healthy ,and doesn't bode well for a long career .
Compare Ricky Hatton with Junior Witter . Ricky's far wealthier and more popular , but he's finished and Witter's not . Herol Graham looks looks like he could still do 10 rounds .
I'm a great believer in teaching young boxers how to defend themselves before they even touch a punch bag but I'm afraid this seems to be a lost art . I'm absolutely delighted for Gary Buckland who seems like a deserving champion and a nice lad but to be honest all you would need to do to train Gary was to get him fit , stand him in front of the heavy bag and get him to throw punches with the occasional bending at the waist and a few side steps . He'll be retired within 2 years .

[dbf]

The Americans like to see fighters going to 'toe to toe ' . Ricky Hatton fought this way and his brother is performing in a similar fashion . Last night Gary Buckland and Gary Sykes did the exact same . This no doubt makes for exciting fights - and as a fan , its great entertainment . But , when you stand with your gloves in front of your face and move forward ,prepared to except blows to the head, and the occasional 'rib bender ' downstairs , you are intent on getting inside and letting go or countering anything your opponent throws . This suggests to me that the fighter is not quick or skilful enough to stand back and either block or evade shots , and then counter from distance . To be honest its far easier to simply get the head down ,gloves up and get stuck in . But , and anyone whose been in a ring will tell you , being punched around the head ,even with the gloves up isn't funny !!! And to do this for 12 rounds isn't healthy ,and doesn't bode well for a long career .
Compare Ricky Hatton with Junior Witter . Ricky's far wealthier and more popular , but he's finished and Witter's not . Herol Graham looks looks like he could still do 10 rounds .
I'm a great believer in teaching young boxers how to defend themselves before they even touch a punch bag but I'm afraid this seems to be a lost art . I'm absolutely delighted for Gary Buckland who seems like a deserving champion and a nice lad but to be honest all you would need to do to train Gary was to get him fit , stand him in front of the heavy bag and get him to throw punches with the occasional bending at the waist and a few side steps . He'll be retired within 2 years .

I tend to agree. So many amateurs turn over and completely change their style. People slag off the amateur style but if they could carry that over to the pro's with better conditioning they would prolong their careers.

[LeedsLad]

Witter is finished

[SexySouthPaw]

The Americans like to see fighters going to 'toe to toe ' . Ricky Hatton fought this way and his brother is performing in a similar fashion . Last night Gary Buckland and Gary Sykes did the exact same . This no doubt makes for exciting fights - and as a fan , its great entertainment . But , when you stand with your gloves in front of your face and move forward ,prepared to except blows to the head, and the occasional 'rib bender ' downstairs , you are intent on getting inside and letting go or countering anything your opponent throws . This suggests to me that the fighter is not quick or skilful enough to stand back and either block or evade shots , and then counter from distance . To be honest its far easier to simply get the head down ,gloves up and get stuck in . But , and anyone whose been in a ring will tell you , being punched around the head ,even with the gloves up isn't funny !!! And to do this for 12 rounds isn't healthy ,and doesn't bode well for a long career .
Compare Ricky Hatton with Junior Witter . Ricky's far wealthier and more popular , but he's finished and Witter's not . Herol Graham looks looks like he could still do 10 rounds .
I'm a great believer in teaching young boxers how to defend themselves before they even touch a punch bag but I'm afraid this seems to be a lost art . I'm absolutely delighted for Gary Buckland who seems like a deserving champion and a nice lad but to be honest all you would need to do to train Gary was to get him fit , stand him in front of the heavy bag and get him to throw punches with the occasional bending at the waist and a few side steps . He'll be retired within 2 years .

Good post.Hatton has made millions and well deserved too! But somewhere down the line the hard fights he had will begin to show.On the other hand Mayweather made millions too and is relatively unscathed.
Witter may be finished at world level but British and European who knows?
Sykes and Buckland what a terriffic fight compare that to David Hayes last two fights and the millions he got,these two gave more and were paid less.

[Deserter]

I think you make some valid points, but you need a more balanced perspective - for example, it's relatively straightforward to make the case that those fighters that rely on their reflexes avoid damage in the early part of their career but then end up shipping a lot of punishment subsequently - Jones Jr is a great example and it's also true for some Ingle fighters.
There's no doubt that most pressure fighters have a shorter career span though. Barrera's a great example of a fighter who modified his style significantly to ensure greater longevity, while Duran had exceptional defence for an offensive-minded fighter and managed to be the exception to the rule as a result.

[Mooresy]

Yep, fighting like me shortens your career. Done at 31. Seriously though, it does, and as mentioned Witter is done, but he's 37(?), so had a decent run.

[matko]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meldrick_Taylor a perfect example of a great fighter who's career was shortened and was in hard fights (chavez fight especially)/spars(Philly fighters are renowened for having gym wars) which shortens your career!! Make for great viewing thou

[JC]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meldrick_Taylor a perfect example of a great fighter who's career was shortened and was in hard fights (chavez fight especially)/spars(Philly fighters are renowened for having gym wars) which shortens your career!! Make for great viewing thou

Meldrick's prime was shortened but unfortunately his career wasn't

[manno]

Its the sparring what kills the high pressure, risk taking fighters. If you read a lot of interviews with ex pros/champions,when they get asked who hit 'em the hardest in their career its very often a sparring partner who buzzed them most!!

[curtis wood]

spot on manno

[matko]

Its the sparring what kills the high pressure, risk taking fighters. If you read a lot of interviews with ex pros/champions,when they get asked who hit 'em the hardest in their career its very often a sparring partner who buzzed them most!!

Exactly!! No need for so much hard sparring or even taking so many hard bouts again and again, how many times have you seen a fighter have a hard fight then go straight back into a re-match takes a few miles off the clock!!

[STEALTH BOMBER]

I would imagine being knocked out time and time again would not help you to have a long career.

[matko]

I would imagine being knocked out time and time again would not help you to have a long career.

licence will get revoked

[STEALTH BOMBER]

I would imagine being knocked out time and time again would not help you to have a long career.

licence will get revoked

=Shortened career.

[matko]

I would imagine being knocked out time and time again would not help you to have a long career.

licence will get revoked

=Shortened career.

Haaaaaaa yea

[Jeff Thomas]

Nothing worse in boxing then seeing an intelligent human being become punchy. I was really saddened seeing a former pro recently.... seemed happy enough in himself which is great and he achieved some incredible things but I can't help but think - at what cost. My respect for boxers is huge- not because I am one but because of what you put on the line. Its unreal.

[STEALTH BOMBER]

Nothing worse in boxing then seeing an intelligent human being become punchy. I was really saddened seeing a former pro recently.... seemed happy enough in himself which is great and he achieved some incredible things but I can't help but think - at what cost. My respect for boxers is huge- not because I am one but because of what you put on the line. Its unreal.

Care to enlighten us on the fighter?

Yes I agree it is sad. Boxing is one tough game.

[Yes We Can]

There are always exceptions to any rule,

For instance George Chuvalo ate shots for fun, and he had a fairly long and fruitful career. Oliver McCall also.

[matko]

There are always exceptions to any rule,

For instance George Chuvalo ate shots for fun, and he had a fairly long and fruitful career. Oliver McCall also.

That list is endless too george foreman, jake la motta, etc

[Jeff Thomas]

Nothing worse in boxing then seeing an intelligent human being become punchy. I was really saddened seeing a former pro recently.... seemed happy enough in himself which is great and he achieved some incredible things but I can't help but think - at what cost. My respect for boxers is huge- not because I am one but because of what you put on the line. Its unreal.

Care to enlighten us on the fighter?

Yes I agree it is sad. Boxing is one tough game.

I'd rather not pal