Why Boxers Should Weigh-in On The Day Of The Fight

What’s more important? What the kid weighs before the fight or what he weighs at competition?

Boxing, like other combat sports, finds structure in its weight divisions, from straw-weight to heavyweight. The recognition that a 135lb lightweight should not be fighting a 175lb light-heavyweight is rooted in common sense, a realisation that size does matter inside the ropes. It may not be all that matters – skill, speed, experience, intelligence and mental fortitude all play their part – but it is the factor that can be most easily quantified and that forms the foundation for a fair fight. Whether you long for the days of the eight weight divisions, or have come to accept the 17 weight classes that produce so many champions, the basic premise that weight matters has not changed.

It follows that the powers that regulate the sport should work to ensure that the two fighters getting ready to do battle should enter the ring at roughly the same weight.

Unfortunately, the alphabet sanctioning bodies and local boxing commissions have offered too many different versions of rules regarding a fighter’s weight and the timing and frequency of weigh-ins. It is a problem that infects all of boxing – too many sanctioning organisations, too many local commissions, too many divergent rules and practices. The WBO, which has sanctioned the bout between title-holder Bradley and challenger Marquez, provides in its rules for an official weigh-in but surprisingly offers no guidance as to when the weigh-in should take place. The other organisations do set parameters. The WBA mandates that the weigh-in take place between 16 and 36 hours before the sanctioned bout. The WBC calls for the weigh-in to take place no less than 24 hours and no more than 30 hours prior to the bout “due to the possible adverse results of dehydration and subsequent rehydration of boxers to make the required weight limit for a bout,” and in addition prescribes “safety weigh-ins” 30 days and seven days before the bout. And the IBF schedules the official weigh-in no less than 20 and no more than 30 hours before the scheduled opener on the fight card, as well as a second weigh-in on the morning of the event at which the fighters cannot weigh more than 10lbs over the weight limit.

What is needed is a new look at the rules regarding weigh-ins. For the better part of the 20th century, weigh-ins took place on the day of the fight. I believe that practice changed for the wrong reasons – reasons that have to do with the promotion of the fight rather than the health and safety of fighters. As stated simply by Merchant, “Promoters use weigh-ins as a way of marketing their fighters.” Holding the weigh-in on the day before the fight provides another opportunity for publicity and television exposure. It is part of the hype leading to a fight, hype that sells tickets and attracts television viewers. Promoters and television executives are not wrong to want this publicity, but finally it must take a back seat to the more important considerations of safety and fairness. It is those interests that sanctioning organisations and local commissions must protect.

Holding the weigh-in on the day of the fight, as Pennsylvania does, encourages fighters to make weight in the proper way, and to fight in their proper weight classes. “What’s more important?” asks Sirb. “What the kid weighs before the fight or what he weighs at competition?” And that, finally, is the point.

The reason that weight classes exist at all is to ensure a fair fight. Fair and safe competition begins with the requirement that the two men facing each other are the same size. If that is the goal, as it must be, then the way to achieve that goal is by holding day-of-the-fight weigh-ins. The sanctioning organisations and boxing commissions should work together to create a single, consistent rule in order to make the sport fairer and safer.

Boxing Ring Craft

Ring tactics and strategies are what you will need when you enter the ring with an opponent of a specific physique or style. Although it is difficult to generalize how to deal with all known styles of fighting, the following tactics are generally regarded as the most effective.

 

AGAINST A TALL FIGHTER: 
You will need to keep moving both ways, draw the lead and slip inside. Once on the inside, switch attacks from head to body with hooks and uppercuts. Care must be taken when trying to get on the inside; you must beware of his uppercuts.

AGAINST A CROUCHING FIGHTER: 
Do not work in a straight line, keep moving left and right, side step and work to the sides. Use straight punches and look for openings to use your uppercuts.

AGAINST A PERSISTENT JABBER: 
You need to keep pressure on this type of opponent, keep bobbing and weaving and try to slip under the jab. Once inside the jab, work the body with solid hooks and uppercuts.

AGAINST A HEAVY PUNCHER: 
You'll need to keep moving against this type of fighter. DO NOT allow him to get set and "plant his feet". Launch unsuspecting attacks. Don't stand and trade punches, circle the ring and in both directions.


AGAINST A COUNTER PUNCHER: 
Force him to lead by feinting and try and concentrate on countering his counter. Keep him under pressure and off balance.   AGAINST A SOUTHPAW: 
You will need to circle left on the blind side away from your opponents left hook. Use your left hook to cross over the southpaw lead and also use your right hand to head and body.

Please note: Ring craft is not a substitute for physical fitness and boxing ability. You must work hard in training and sparring and the ability to solve problems and workout your opponent's strengths and weaknesses will come with experience. 

 

Never stop trying, even though things might not be going well for you in a fight, you must remember that it only takes one well-placed punch to turn thing around. Don't be too tense, as this will slow down your reactions. Try to appear confident by not displaying signs of tiredness and discomfort, easier said than done but this will come with experience.

Vary your moves and combinations; never use the same move more than twice in succession. A good opponent will notice this and plan for a counter, which could be devastating.

Boxing Tactics

How to use boxing tactics to outsmart your opponents 

 

The boxer’s tactics are aimed at making sure he out-punches and therefore outscores his opponent. Once the boxer has established a good stance, nimble footwork and a few basic punches, they should thinking about developing tactics to outsmart their future opponents. Here Big Time Boxing Promotions have compiled a list of a few basic (but not exhaustive) boxing tactics which focus on the ability to combine attack and defense to good effect...

Counter attacking boxing tactics there are four main punches used in boxing: the jab, the hook, the uppercut and straight punch. These can be used to come back at the opponent in a counter attack. No boxer can realistically expect to win a fight just by deflecting an opponent’s punches — they should be prepared to hit back too. This is called countering or counter attacking.




 

Left jab counter the punch that boxers will face most often is the jab, and from a right-handed boxer this will be the left jab ...

One good tactic for turning defense into attack is to deflect the opponent’s left jab with the right glove sending it over your left shoulder. A counter left jab should be delivered to your opponent's chin.

Another good ploy is to duck beneath an opponent's left jab and return a left jab to his body.

Straight right counter a good boxer should never really get caught by a straight right as it is within sight all the way to when it connects.

A good form of defense for the beginner is to block the punch by shifting the weight to the back foot and turning the body sharply to the right to catch the punch high on the left shoulder. A counter with straight right should be delivered, while keeping the chin well out of the way.

The boxer can sidestep to the left to avoid the punch and then return a straight right to the opponent.

Fighting in close a large part of a fight may be won by simply avoiding your opponent’s punches and tiring him out. However, a different tactic could involve boxing at close range or ‘infighting’, almost toe-to-toe with the opponent.

This is a bold approach and takes a lot out of both boxers as it usually involves receiving blows as well as giving them, often in quick succession. If your opponent has a longer reach it's essential to move in close where a wide range of short hooks and uppercuts can be used to cancel out the reach advantage.

Defensive boxing tactics good defensive skills are just as important as good attacking skills. A boxer needs to be able to deliver good punches without receiving many in return.

A boxer needs to be agile and have good reflexes to be able to defend himself and stay out of trouble. One way could be to stay out of reach, but that will not score any points.

How to use boxing tactics to outsmart your opponents



There are several ways to defend yourself from a punch either by dodging or blocking them:

Sidestep — literally stepping to the side of the blow.

Snap back — rocking backwards to avoid the blow connecting.

Sway to one side — swaying from the hips to avoid the punch.

Block — stopping the punch with the forearm, shoulder, elbow or glove.

Duck down — duck out of the way of a punch.

Parry or deflect to one side — knock the punch aside.

Cover up — use the arms and gloves to best protect the head and body.

Other boxing techniques...

Breaking away
this is a good tactic to use when fighting up close. The boxer should aim to get in and deliver a quick succession of blows, and then move out to arm’s length before suffering too much damage.

To break away from an infighting situation, the boxer can put their gloves on the opponent’s arms and push themselves backwards, thus preventing the opponent from delivering any punches.

Feinting a boxer can pretend they are going to hit a part of the body, but then hit a different area. By deceiving the opponent, it is hoped to open up an opportunity to get in a good punch. Feinting requires using all manner of parts of the body parts from the eyes, hands, body, legs, and facial expressions — all intended to trick an opponent about your next move.


A final word about boxing tactics boxing requires more than just brute strength; a lot of thought is required to outsmart an opponent. A boxer needs mental toughness to succeed and has to be prepared to both receive punches as well as give them. Very few boxers win a fight through losing their temper!




 When it comes to tactics, the boxer needs to try and work out what tactics their opponent is employing and try to find a weakness. It may even be necessary to change tactics part way through a fight if things are not quite going according to plan.

MEET "DOUGLAS OTIENO OKOLA"

Douglas Otieno Okola is a simple humble guy hardworking person who does not take anything for granted.

My boxing journey in Kenya was tough since i was an amatuer and pro boxer but all in all i managed to go through all this because of my hardworking. Being a pro boxer i fought various fights in Kenya and later got lots of opportunities to fight in Europe.

Boxing in Europe was my eye opener for me to prove that i can fight. It gained me extra miles in Europe and this made me end up landing in U.S.A.

The biggest achievements here in the State's is working hard and dedicating myself. I never give up no matter what circumstances and this gives me huge chances to meet and work with the big names in boxing fraternity like Floyd Mayweather.

By meeting and working with Flyod Mayweather "The Money Team" i gained a lot of experience which is needed in the sports of boxing. By working with high level trainers and also working together with different champions in various weight classes in the world it took me to another level.

Mayweather is a man who is full of respect to everyone weather your rich, poor, celebrity, big or small and from any other race,  it doesn't matter where you come from and he will always give you the chance to prove yourself because he wants the best for everyone. He is so friendly and he always deserves more respect back...

The big game on the 14th Sept, this is easy work for Mayweather the champ, because he has all what it takes. Canelo will be schooled. Money Mayweather will win. 

"Skills pays bill..." - The One (Mayweather)...say's so.

7 Essential Boxing Fitness Training Tips

Boxing fitness training is vital to maximize performance during fights. The number of rounds a boxer will fight depends on their weight category, and it's important to ensure that you have the stamina to perform until the final round. It also helps burn calories. Warm up your muscles and tendons before training to increase their flexibility and prevent injury. Spend at least ten minutes warming up. You should train at least three times a week to see an improvement in your fitness. Make sure you keep hydrated during training.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boxing Fitness Training Tip #1: Mind Set

 

Fitness training should be performed with consistency and dedication. Set aside time for fitness training and focus on the exercises, making sure that you have no distractions. Find ways to motivate yourself, such as making arrangements to train with a friend.

 

Boxing Fitness Training Tip #2: Sleep

Make sure you get enough sleep. This allows your muscles to recover from training. It also helps increase your concentration and performance during training. Eight hours of sleep a night is the recommended amount.

 

Boxing Fitness Training Tip #3: Nutrition

Take care of your body and eat the right foods to ensure good health. Good nutrition gives you energy to participate in a vigorous fitness training program. Consuming the right amount of calories is important, as excessive fat will inhibit your fitness training.

 

Boxing Fitness Training Tip #4: Preparation

Wear comfortable clothes and footwear that are suited to your workout. Prepare all equipment and remove distractions. This will help your mental fitness and allow you to focus on training.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Boxing Fitness Training Tip #5:Jogging

 

 

Jog 3 to 5 miles at a steady rate. Sprinting at the end can help increase fitness and improve your technique. This will help you have a burst of energy at the end of rounds to perform at your peak. Occasionally increase your runs to 6 to 10 miles.

 

Boxing Fitness Training Tip #6:  Interval Training

Interval training recreates the demands of a boxing round. Begin by warming up, which can include jogging, skipping and sprinting. Run for 600m, then have a 1 minute break. Repeat 3 times. Run for 200m at an increased speed and then rest for 30 seconds. Repeat three times. Perform interval training twice a week. Other interval training can include fast sit ups, push ups and squats with short intervals between them. Another exercise is a workout on the bag or with a sparring partner at a high intensity, with one minute intervals. This helps mimic rounds and increases fitness and stamina.

 

Boxing Fitness Training Tip #7: Skipping Rope

Skipping burns calories and helps increase fitness. It also strengthens calf muscles, which is essential to boxers. Skipping helps improve balance and increases coordination. Skip for 3 minutes, with 1 minute intervals. A variety of techniques can be used. You can jump using both feet firmly planted on the ground after each jump. Another technique is jumping using one foot while keeping the other foot off ground. Another option is to alternate between which foot is held off the ground. You can increase the pace by turning the rope twice for each jump.

 

“HOW TO SCORE A FIGHT RIGHT!”

Professional boxing is scored by three ringside judges, using what is known as the ‘ten-point must' system. That means that the winner of each round must get 10 points (unless he has a point deducted for a foul such as repeated low blows). The loser gets 9 points - again, unless he is deducted a point for a foul, or for being knocked down. There is theoretically no limit to how many points a boxer can lose from repeated knockdowns - "There are jurisdictions that say you shouldn't go past 10-6 because then the gap is so wide the other guy can't catch up."

 

If, when the bout is over, all three judges score in favor of one fighter, he wins a unanimous decision. If one judge scores for Fighter A and the others for Fighter B, B wins a split decision. If two judges score for Fighter A, and the other sees it even, Fighter A wins a majority decision. Theoretically, a fighter could win five rounds clearly, beating up his opponent without knocking him down, but lose the other seven by the narrowest of margins and so, despite appearing to be the dominant boxer, lose a decision. Lederman says that's largely because of many judges' reluctance to score rounds wider than 10-9 without a knockdown, which he says is one element of judging he would like to see changed:

"You see rounds where a guy's hardly doing a darn thing and they score the round 10-9, and the truth of the matter is, it's not fair," he says. "Because what happens is, one guy wins the round really wide and if the judges went to 10-8, it would be the difference in the fight."

A few guidelines on how best to judge a fight and determine the winner:

Keep It Simple

"The truth of the matter is that 99 percent of boxing is scored by who's landing the most, clean punches. If you're watching two kids fighting in the street and you say, ‘This kid beat up the other one,' it's like that in a boxing match. Basically, what you want to know is: Who's hurting the other guy more than the other guy is hurting him? And if you can figure that out, then he gets 10 points and the other guy gets nine. It's that simple. "Where it gets complicated is when the rounds are very close and they start talking about the ‘effective aggressor' and the guy with better defense or ‘ring generalship' - another cockamamie term they've thrown into the mix.

Score the rounds, not the fight

"You score each round individually and you have to go in with no preconceived notions. You score a round and then you forget what happened in that round, and you score the next round completely independently. It's the only fair way to do it. You can't think about what might happen in the future or what happened in the past. Each round is an individual entity. Each round is an individual fight."

Don't let the distractions distract you

"You're only human. Every judge who tells you he's going to go to Puerto Rico and not listen to the crowd screaming for the Puerto Rican, he's a liar. And that's all there is to it. You can't block out the crowd noise. But you can't let it affect you. At the same time, some people say when you're watching a fight on TV, you should turn down the volume, so you're not swayed by the commentators. But sometimes the commentators help, there's no doubt about it. I can't see watching a fight with no sound, because it would make it hard to judge how hard the punches are; if you take away the sound, you lose all that."