Teddy Atlas and Boxers who fight with their Left Hand Low

[Peterp]

I watch Wednesday and Friday night fights on ESPN religiously, i love Teddy Atlas's prefight technical breakdown, very informative and he treats the audience like they are knowledgeable, not beer drinking rednecks (not that there's anything wrong with beer drinking rednecks !)

Now without fail, when there is a fighter who fights with his left hand low (RJJ style etc) and uses the shoulder roll to defend that side, Teddy makes the same comment (ive heard it over 10 times in the last month)

Something to the effect of

"when a fighter has the left hand low, there's further for their punches to travel because they have to bring their hand up first and then shoot it out, it's therefore easier to read "

Now there must be a reason why so many fighters use this tactic

My answer to teddy is this

"when a punch is coming from lowdown (waist area) it is coming from outside your opponent's peripheral vision and that is what makes it harder to see, when a jab comes from the orthodox position (hand up), yes it could theoretically get there faster but because your opponent has a point of reference as to where the punch is coming from, it can make it easier to read"

My opinion is that jabs from a low or high hand position both have their place in the sport and suit different fighters best. I just wanted to make the point with this post that Teddy atlas never made the argument for the hands low position.

Thoughts ?

[yrrej]

Originally, the low hand position enabled a fighter to backhand, either for blocking or striking. Of course, that technique was banned from boxing. There is nothing wrong with low hand position. It depends on the attributes of the fighter. If a person has the reflexes of Ali or Jones, they can avoid by body movement, rather than guarding the centerline or parrying with the left hand. George Foreman used the low hand position almost exclusively in his comeback. It's hard to hook or jab out of this position, but it is easy to cover. George should know, as Jimmy Young used the same cover to beat him after he lost to Ali. Atlas should adapt the style to the fighter, rather than impose the style on the fighter whether or not it fits, although basicly he is right. More fights are won by traditional boxing skills than the off-the-wall stuff.

[hemichromis]

keeping the hand low means you have better vision, i would like to see punches coming! also if you are tall its easier to jab with the hand held low because this allows ou to punch upwards rather than downwards theres alot more pwer there!

[RastaSmoker]

but when you punch from a low position you have a greater chance of getting caught with an over hand right

[The Golden Boy]

also if you are tall its easier to jab with the hand held low because this allows ou to punch upwards rather than downwards theres alot more pwer there!

I used to hold my left hand up by my cheek but i just started with a new trainer and the first thing he told me was to lower it a bit for this exact reason.