Set-back in Sparring

[Superheavy]

Guys,

Sparring's been going well and I'm almost ready for my first fight. I've been getting the better of guys that are more experienced and haven't been caught with any decent shots for a while now.

But: on tues the coaches put me in with two vastly more experienced guys (both light-heavies/maybe cruisers - I'm 100KGs, 6'1".). They were rotating, I was staying in. I landed some of my own shots, but I took a proper beating, from one of them in particular. I later found out that the coaches told them to go for it, especially with the big right hand over the top. I just kept on getting hit with it. I was surprised that none of the punches buzzed me, but my nose got busted up and I looked a right state, covered in blood.

Afterwards, the coaches said I showed a lot of grit - I always come forward when I spar - and that I gave the guys a hard time, but they ripped into me about my guard being too low. I just didn't have my hands up high enough - for some reason it doesn't come naturally for me to put the ear muffs on or do peak-a-boo, even when I'm taking a beating.

Any of you guys had sparring experiences like this that bring you back down to earth? Any tips on how to fix the guard?

I'm hoping to film a sparring session soon - will post it up for comments.

[Salty]

Those are the sessions which you become better, you now know what you need to improve upon so go out there and do it. Simple as that mate, sounds like your coach wanted to test you and you passed with flying colours

[vein]

when u get hit hard always hit hard right back even if your dazed by the hit!

[Marlin26]

oh i learn things like this all the time when i spar,

at first i fought with a peek-a-boo guard, kept comin forward and trying to get on the inside while i was gettin outboxed. Well im not really built for in fighting, my arms are longer than most kids my age and im more of a thomas hearns build. So i took up a new style, now i work on footwork, speed and getting in and out. Its work 100 times better and atm im also trying to figure a way to fight with taller guys since i cant outbox them.

[Trrmo]

Those are the sessions which you become better, you now know what you need to improve upon so go out there and do it. Simple as that mate, sounds like your coach wanted to test you and you passed with flying colours

Salty is right.

If the big overhand rights are bothering you try practising rolling under or slipping to the left when they throw the big overhand right, and throw a left hook to the body then left hook to the chin. Also try moving to the right to be out of range of their right hand. Another great counter is to develop your own overhand right, very effective punch if timed correctly.

About having that experience, sure I had an "exhibition" as my first real sparring/fighting (in 8 years!!) a couple of months ago. I went ok and got some good clean punches in but got caught with some hard shots and was exhausted after a couple of rounds. so it was a big wake up call. But I just found out he recently won the Ecuadorian national amateur title so I donīt feel too bad about it and has made me train harder, hopefully I will get some sparring with him again. You donīt really learn anything by sparring weaker opponents.

[potatoes]

Guys,

Sparring's been going well and I'm almost ready for my first fight. I've been getting the better of guys that are more experienced and haven't been caught with any decent shots for a while now.

But: on tues the coaches put me in with two vastly more experienced guys (both light-heavies/maybe cruisers - I'm 100KGs, 6'1".). They were rotating, I was staying in. I landed some of my own shots, but I took a proper beating, from one of them in particular. I later found out that the coaches told them to go for it, especially with the big right hand over the top. I just kept on getting hit with it. I was surprised that none of the punches buzzed me, but my nose got busted up and I looked a right state, covered in blood.

Afterwards, the coaches said I showed a lot of grit - I always come forward when I spar - and that I gave the guys a hard time, but they ripped into me about my guard being too low. I just didn't have my hands up high enough - for some reason it doesn't come naturally for me to put the ear muffs on or do peak-a-boo, even when I'm taking a beating.

Any of you guys had sparring experiences like this that bring you back down to earth? Any tips on how to fix the guard?

I'm hoping to film a sparring session soon - will post it up for comments.

The overhand right is usually thrown over top of the jab, and it can very very effective against a lazy jab. Snap the jab, bring it straight back and don't drop your left. Remember to keep your chin behind your shoulder. If the jab is not part of a combination then you need to move your head after completion. This is nothing more than boxing 101, but it is surprising how many boxers don't do it and consequently make it easy for their opponents to hit them.

As you didn't mention the jab, it makes me wonder what exactly is going on. Are you getting hit by an overhand right thrown at random? Those sort of punches aren't hard to avoid, so perhaps you are getting brain fade? In that case you need to learn to focus. It doesn't matter how good you are, if you can't concentrate you will never perform at your best.

Peek-a-boo is a defensive style normally used by boxers who fight small. In his prime Mike Tyson epitomized that style but you should note that he avoided getting hit by moving his head. Whether you fight tall or fight small, it is technically incorrect to stand still, cover your face and absorb punches with your gloves. Did your coach tell you to keep your eyes on your opponent at all times? If he didn't he should have. With the peek-a-boo defense, the gloves must be held low enough so that you can see over the top. How can you possibly know which way to move your head unless you can see the guy in front of you?

[Superheavy]

Thanks for some v useful comments. I'm not proud of it, but I was getting done by a double jab followed by overhand right and sometimes just by a right thrown at random - as Potatoes mentioned. One of the guys had his hands by his sides most of the time - he was moving in an unorthodox way and then would suddenly come with the right. The most effective defense that I did manage to use was footwork - ie by stepping back. It was when I was coming forward that most of the punches landed.

I think what the coaches meant was that if I have my hands higher, then it'll be easier to do a "salute" type block, if you know what I mean. And even if I don't react quickly enough to do that, at least my hands will just be in the way a bit more, which is better than taking a clean shot. I can't imagine me doing the peak-a-boo thing.

Someone mentioned slipping to the left of the right hand and throwing something to the body - this is a good idea, although I think the problem on this occasion was the speed of the right hand.

Another point mentioned was the jab - I'm pretty sure I do have a lazy jab and that this contributed to my punishment. A interesting trick that these guys were both playing was to throw a double jab, but just tap my gloves with the first one then follow through with the second. I've done quite a bit of work on dealing with double jabs (block the first, slip the second and counter), but I didn't manage to pull it off that much. On a few occasions I threw my jab out and beat them to the punch.

A lot of this is basic 101 sht I need to get on top of.

Thanks again

[potatoes]

Thanks for some v useful comments. I'm not proud of it, but I was getting done by a double jab followed by overhand right and sometimes just by a right thrown at random - as Potatoes mentioned. One of the guys had his hands by his sides most of the time - he was moving in an unorthodox way and then would suddenly come with the right. The most effective defense that I did manage to use was footwork - ie by stepping back. It was when I was coming forward that most of the punches landed.

I think what the coaches meant was that if I have my hands higher, then it'll be easier to do a "salute" type block, if you know what I mean. And even if I don't react quickly enough to do that, at least my hands will just be in the way a bit more, which is better than taking a clean shot. I can't imagine me doing the peak-a-boo thing.

Someone mentioned slipping to the left of the right hand and throwing something to the body - this is a good idea, although I think the problem on this occasion was the speed of the right hand.

Another point mentioned was the jab - I'm pretty sure I do have a lazy jab and that this contributed to my punishment. A interesting trick that these guys were both playing was to throw a double jab, but just tap my gloves with the first one then follow through with the second. I've done quite a bit of work on dealing with double jabs (block the first, slip the second and counter), but I didn't manage to pull it off that much. On a few occasions I threw my jab out and beat them to the punch.

A lot of this is basic 101 sht I need to get on top of.

Thanks again

Did you see Collazo vs. Berto? At lot can be learned by watching Collazo give Berto a lot of problems by moving his head. Berto was the favorite with better skills and faster hands, but Collazo figured out how to neutralize Berto's natural advantages. If you carefully observe the strengths and weakness of other boxers very often you can improve your own skills.

[Trrmo]

Someone mentioned slipping to the left of the right hand and throwing something to the body - this is a good idea, although I think the problem on this occasion was the speed of the right hand.

Thanks again

In this case you need to anticipate it not wait for it to be thrown.

Did you see Collazo vs. Berto? At lot can be learned by watching Collazo give Berto a lot of problems by moving his head. Berto was the favorite with better skills and faster hands, but Collazo figured out how to neutralize Berto's natural advantages. If you carefully observe the strengths and weakness of other boxers very often you can improve your own skills.

Some good head movement by Collazo but often the referees donīt allow it as much in the Amateurs. Keep in mind Collazo is Southpaw as well which should be kept in mind if you are gonna try to learn from it.