However with the right boxers and the right bout, the sport of boxing can be a technical masterpiece, or even a work of art.
There are a number of ways to box (starting from the initial stance including an orthodox or unorthodox stance); however there are a number of key concepts that will improve your chances of being successful at the sport, regardless of your adopted style.
Footwork
Muhammad Ali used to dance all day in the ring, and his movement is what got him to the top. Where most boxers were very much flat-footed, Ali would dance around his opponents, picking them off with combinations of punches in the ring. He either piled up the points in doing so or surprised them with a knock out combination.
To move means not to be hit. If you are not there you simply won’t receive your opponent’s best shots. Think of it like a game of tag where the objective is to tag the other players, and prevent them from tagging you. Linking it to the sport of boxing, if you take on board these principles you’ll score more points than your opponent, and that’s the aim of the game, whether amateur or professional. This links in with having a good defence as well as having a high level of fitness.
To work on your footwork prior to a bout means lots of running, leg work, and footwork drills in the gym. A good boxing trainer/ coach will assist you with such drills.
Inner Strength
This speaks for itself as you need heart, mental strength and determination to succeed at boxing. You have to want to step in the ring, want to perform, and want to win. If you don’t, then the best advice for you is not to.
Fitness
A base fitness is essential; if you are fitter than your opponents you have a better chance of winning than they do. Furthermore, the fitter you are, the more you can move, then the less likely you are to be nailed with a knockout shot.
A Great Defence
The last thing you want is to be open for that one shot, remember it only takes one shot to end a bout. There are boxers that make a career of being quite unorthodox. They box with their hands down, switch stances, and baffle their opponents. This is all well and good; however without mastering the basics, this is unadvisable, especially if you are not an experienced boxer. Furthermore, emulating your favourite boxers could potentially get you knocked out.
