BoxRec

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Excerpt: Jack Dempsey on how to get in a 'cheap shot,' by hitting on the break, and getting away with it.

(My guess, considering the source, it probably works.)

“In boxing, it is illegal for you to use this blow, or any other, after the referee has told you to break. But you can use it before he orders a break—when you make your own break. In fist-fighting you can use it whenever you get the chance.”

Dempsey’s description:

(1) Keep your head in close to the left side of your opponent's head, with your chin slightly over his shoulder.

(2) Maneuver with your left hand until you can grab the inside crook of his right elbow, and thus hold his right arm so firmly that he can't punch with it.

(3) Get his left arm under your right arm, and clamp your right hand under his arm—just above the elbow—just below the biceps. When you hold him in that fashion, he can't hit you; but you are in perfect position to break away sharply and deliver a stunning overhanded "sneaker" hook.

Full Mental Floss article: http://mentalfloss.com/article/92358/10 ... circa-1950

The cleverest infighters know that slicksters will grab their arms and then try to get in a punch before the referee says "stop punching - break clean" ... They've had quite a few fights and weren't born yesterday.. They know the rule flaunter is planning to sneak in cheap shots as soon as he grabs them.. But they know he has to do 2 things: let go first and THEN punch.. The fighter being grabbed only has to do only 1 thing: punch as soon as his opponent lets go.. It takes clear headed focus, but you can beat him to the punch with uppercuts and follow with hooks in a quick flurry.. If your punch is in flight as soon as he frees his grasp from your arm you have a fraction of a second on him... That's all you need.

Nothing I hate worse than watching a neophyte being grabbed and tied up.. then getting peppered with a flurry of hooks like he just fell off a turnip truck