How do I combat heavy hitters? Shorter/taller opponents?

Each time you step into the ring you will face a unique challenge. Your opponent will bring their talent and skills to the fight and your job is to figure out how to negate those abilities and bring your own to bear. There are a number of tips here that you can take on board.

The information here should be used as guide lines only. A boxing fight is a dynamic and ever changing game of chess between you and your opponent, it can change in an instant. At times you will feel on top, at other times you will feel in trouble or you’re both coasting. ALL of these instances within a fight are opportunities for you to apply different strategies to help you come out on top.

Learn to develop all your skills to be comfortable in any situation

The guidelines below should be used in a ‘mix and match’ type sense. In the ring you’ll meet shorter opponents that are heavy hitters, taller opponents that are heavy hitters and many of them will be counter punchers or like to fight ‘on the front foot’.

ALL of your opponents will be unique, as you are yourself. They are a puzzle put before you – your job is to work them out in such a way that your skill set will prevail.

Heavy Hitters
Heavy Hitter Advantages

What are the advantages of ‘heavy hitters’?

Well, pretty basically, when they hit – they hit HARD. Their advantage IS that power. If you allow them to hit you too often it will wear you down – their power is generally most effective in close or within the power range.

Your Strategy
  • Maintain your distance: stay LONG, use your jab to control the distance
  • Keep a strong defensive guard, tight and high to protect your head and body
  • To defend your trunk, slip duck and roll to avoid punches
  • Use quick and accurate counter punches after heavy punches
  • Target the opponents body with hooks and uppercuts to slow them down
  • Use your footwork to move laterally, circle to maintain your advantage
  • Clinch with your opponent to disrupt their rhythm and prevent power shots
Boxing Shorter Opponents

Shorter opponents have a number of physical attributes that they can use to their advantage

  • They have a low center of gravity which can give them better balance and stability
  • Because they are short their trunk area is a smaller target. It is easier for them to slip and duck punches
  • Because of their height, and general lack of reach they excel in close range exchanges. The majority of their training and fighting is from with this range
Your Strategy
  • Maintain your distance: stay LONG, use your jab to control the distance and create angles
  • Work for an effective jab, quick and snappy to keep them at a distance that suits you. Vary the speed of your jab and use the jab to disrupt their movement
  • Maintain your discipline, avoid leaning into your opponent and avoid ‘smothering’ punches
  • Clinch with your opponent when they manage to get in close to disrupt their rhythm and prevent power shots
Boxing Taller Opponents

Taller opponents have a number of physical attributes that they can use to their advantage

  • They have a longer reach and so can hit you from a distance
  • Their longer arms/legs gives them more leverage to generate punching power
  • With an effective jab, taller boxers can keep their opponents out of their punching zone nullifying their power shots
Your Strategy
  • You need to work a taller boxer from the inside OR the outside – you can’t stay/be in their power zone. Counter from outside or work your way inside and work their body
  • Work on quick footwork to close the distance between you and your opponent. Create different angles to keep them guessing.
  • To defend your trunk slip and duck punches, evade their punches whilst keeping your balance
  • Keep a high hand defense protecting your head/face
  • Redirect their punches when possible parrying them off your gloves/fore arms