Changing boxing styles

[Syphus]

I just started boxing again after years and years of taking time off. I'm a lot older, much stronger and heavier (walking around weight was 175 lb, now I am 210 at about the same body fat percentage) and slower.

Back then, I relied on my height, reach (even though technically my reach is a little short for my height) and footwork to outbox smaller opponents at range. I'd say I was more of a counterpuncher with a strong jab and good in and out 1-2. Almost everyone was shorter than me (I'm 6'4") so this wasn't too difficult.

I'm noticing that this style just isn't working for me right now. I've developed a nasty hook and have some old man strength, but my reaction and foot speed is just awful. I'm just slowly plodding around the ring, it seems.

On one hand, I'm rusty and out of practice, so maybe if I keep trying hard I can get my groove back. On the other hand, I think maybe I'm just trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.

Sure, Tyson Fury can skip around the ring like a guy 5 weight classes lower than him, but I'm not Tyson Fury. I'm just an old heavyweight trying to fight like a middleweight.

Should I keep pretending to be Ali or should I accept I'm a crappy George Foreman and start working on my body hooks and Frankenstein pawing parry?

[Longhaul]

You might be giving up to soon on your former style but if you switch you better work on cutting off the ring and develop a ram rod jab to attack with.People don’t realize how important the jab is even for a brawler or pressure fighter.

[Eastbound]

If you have the same body fat percentage that means you must have gained 35lbs of muscle?

Either lose weight and get light on your feet or just rely on your power at 210. Best thing might be to find somewhere in between, then work with what you got. makes sense that the more weight you can lose, this will help increase foot speed and overall quickness

[Syphus]

You might be giving up to soon on your former style but if you switch you better work on cutting off the ring and develop a ram rod jab to attack with.People don’t realize how important the jab is even for a brawler or pressure fighter.

Thanks that's what I've been working on. Trying to work different styles of jabs and more deliberate footwork. I think I'll keep working on footspeed but keep trying new things as well.

If you have the same body fat percentage that means you must have gained 35lbs of muscle?

Either lose weight and get light on your feet or just rely on your power at 210. Best thing might be to find somewhere in between, then work with what you got. makes sense that the more weight you can lose, this will help increase foot speed and overall quickness

Basically... I was 6'4 @ 175lbs haha twig status. When I stopped boxing I started lifting a lot and exploded.

Body fat wise I'm probably ~11-13%, so I could still lose some fat. 195lbs would probably be an easy weight to maintain year around for me right now.

I cut back on lifting, obviously, and only do some strength work and plyometrics for the most part now.

[OctoberRed]

I tried switching to southpaw a few times, it didn't work out too well for me.

[Eastbound]

Thanks that's what I've been working on. Trying to work different styles of jabs and more deliberate footwork. I think I'll keep working on footspeed but keep trying new things as well.


When I stopped boxing I started lifting a lot and exploded.

Body fat wise I'm probably ~11-13%, so I could still lose some fat. 195lbs would probably be an easy weight to maintain year around for me right now.

I cut back on lifting, obviously, and only do some strength work and plyometrics for the most part now.

Basically... I was 6'4 @ 175lbs haha twig status.

That's pretty low body fat percentage. might be difficult to get much lower and stay there as walk around weight. Keep working your hand and foot speed drills and do what you can to make it better. maybe try dropping some weight if possible.

[cv808]

I tried switching to southpaw a few times, it didn't work out too well for me.

I'm having a freaking horrible time with Southpaw now that I'm so used to Orthodox. I feel awkward and weak. I've been adding it into my heavy bag routine in hopes that it'll balance out a bit more eventually. Figured best to try and be ambidextrous while just starting out, just didn't realize how accustom my body would get to Orthodox so quick!

[Rockin']

I'm having a freaking horrible time with Southpaw now that I'm so used to Orthodox. I feel awkward and weak. I've been adding it into my heavy bag routine in hopes that it'll balance out a bit more eventually. Figured best to try and be ambidextrous while just starting out, just didn't realize how accustom my body would get to Orthodox so quick!

You must learn orthodox or lefty to begin. Work on mastering one stance or you will become just mediocre on both stances. Learn one stance properly before trying to learn another stance. …...Rockin'

[cv808]

You must learn orthodox or lefty to begin. Work on mastering one stance or you will become just mediocre on both stances. Learn one stance properly before trying to learn another stance. …...Rockin'

Yes, I'm Orthodox by nature. I don't do Southpaw much. I actually didn't think too much about it until my coach was teaching me how to pivot backwards and the punches were switched between Orthodox and Southpaw. Then against the heavy bag I tried to strengthen my Southpaw jabs. It was horrible! I felt like I made no impact what so ever with my Southpaw jabs.

But, yes! Mastering my Orthodox first and foremost.

[Syphus]

Yes, I'm Orthodox by nature. I don't do Southpaw much. I actually didn't think too much about it until my coach was teaching me how to pivot backwards and the punches were switched between Orthodox and Southpaw. Then against the heavy bag I tried to strengthen my Southpaw jabs. It was horrible! I felt like I made no impact what so ever with my Southpaw jabs.

But, yes! Mastering my Orthodox first and foremost.

That's funny, I'm very orthodox and rarely switch hit nowadays but when I was younger I trained in Jeet Kun Do and my stance, as suggested by Bruce Lee, was to have my strong side forward in a Philly shell -esque postition. My right jabs are more of a fast, whipping backhand ala Hearns thanks to that training and my normal orthodox jabs are hard jarring ones.

I rarely, if ever, switch to southpaw now aside from popping an angle mid-combo. The jabs and movement feel good but my left straights and defense are horrendous.

I'm of the opinion that unless you're Hagler or doing ONE single switch in the middle of a combination, stay in orthodox.