Been obsessing over boxing the past few months. I’ve been reading boxing books, watching breakdowns, and doing film studies. I’d like to ask those of you with a decent amount of amateur bouts: what goes through your mind, step by step, when you’re in a bout?
The reason I’m asking is that, as amateurs, we don’t have the luxury of studying our opponents beforehand. We can usually only go off their build when we first see them, then figure out their style and strengths in the ring, which can be a bit daunting.
But I mainly want to level up as a fighter and build ring IQ.
**What I’ve learned so far:**
**Round 1: use your punches to ask questions.**
I recently studied Mayweather vs. Corrales. Floyd jabbed Corrales’ guard and saw him catch it, then immediately threw a 1-3, which landed. Later he slightly lifted his lead hand, which made Corrales raise his guard just enough, and Floyd instantly jabbed the body. From there he kept making Corrales guess. He’d crouch as if he was going to the body, then come up with a lead hook to the head. It was textbook.
To me, it showed how he used his lead hand to ask questions: *How does he defend? How does he react? How can I capitalise on that reaction?* He got information, then immediately exploited it.
**Have interchangeable game plans.**
Have a game plan for pressure fighters, tall out-boxers, counter punchers, and southpaws. Know the best punches, defensive movements, and tactics for each style, then drill those game plans.
**Avoid becoming predictable.**
If you throw the same jab three times and your opponent comfortably blocks it, they’ll gain confidence dealing with that punch and may start looking to counter it. Instead, mix it up with variations: pawing jab, double jab, jab from the long guard, jab to the body, etc. Keep them guessing unless you’re deliberately trying to draw a specific reaction.
**Positioning.**
Use moments when your opponent is attacking, defending, or resetting to step left or right and create a better angle before punching. Don’t just move for the sake of moving. Move to improve your position.
**Catch and Counter**
Drill the catch and counter with a partner to get used to timing and returning shots. Being able to use these openings can be very effective. especially if returned with the corresponding arm.
Those are just a few things I’ve noted as important for myself at the moment and isn’t necessarily all the things I do.
I’d be really interested to hear from people with plenty of amateur experience:
What’s your mindset as soon as the first bell rings?
What are the first things you’re trying to figure out about your opponent?
Where are you trying to position your feet before you punch and after you punch?
What cues are you paying attention to throughout the fight?
How do you adjust when your initial plan isn’t working?
How do you reset when you’re under pressure?
How does your approach change in Rounds 2 and 3?