Boxing Defense Training Tip: Master How To Slip & Weave Under Punches.

Here's a great timeless tool that teaches you how to slip, weave, and move your way into punching position. It's great to make a fighter miss, but you must also make him pay. The rope teaches you how.




To learn more defensive techniques and strategies visit http://boxingperformance.com/

Prioritize and Focus: Know what you are training for and do it.

I get many questions from aspiring fighters how to modify certain strength training systems/templates so they can still produce big numbers yet train in fight sports at the same time. Or they'll say that they are a fighter but they're focusing more on power lifting.

What?! So they wanna train like a power lifter and yet master boxing or whatever fighting art they are training in at the same time? I question this and obviously don't recommend it because it can't be done. It makes NO sense. They shouldn't try to fool themselves in trying.

For one to master any fighting art it takes more than 1-2 hours of training a day 2-3days per week. You HAVE to immerse yourself in the training to fully grasp it and make any progress in it at all. I'll say this one last time... YOU CAN'T be a power lifter and fighter at the same time. They both will detract from one another and halt any real progress you can make in either one.

If you wanna be a power lifer then power lift. If you want to be a fighter then focus your training on fighting. It takes HUGE focus and commitment to make it to the top in either one. You can't do this by being a part time athlete in both sports.

A lot of aspiring fighters have been missing the boat on what purpose strength training serves in their training. Strength training is TO SUPPLEMENT not compete with skill training. LESS is more. Focus on doing more with less. Going over board in both leaves a fighter burned out and broken down. You can't expect to be pushing big numbers in power lifting if you're getting banged up in skill training.

Prioritize, focus, then commit and you'll enjoy success in whatever you choose. Choose it and do it. Just don't do both cause you'll set your self up for a lot of heart ache, failure and pain.

Who Are They Trying To Impress?

I caught the Calzaghe-Jones advert/fight poster in this weekends USA Today paper. In the back ground it shows Joe performing a smith machine squat. Roy is curling some dbs.

Wow! These guys are serious aren't they? What a joke! machine training isn't going to make Joe any more explosive which is what he needed for the longest time. I don't get why he's SO against free weights. That narrow mindedness has hurt his career as far as potential left undeveloped. Oh well, you can't help the unwilling.

Roy had a great strength/conditioning coach in Mackie Shilstone so I hope he remembers what Mackie taught him and he's doing more than performing bicep curls. We'll soon see as Calzaghe-Jones 24/7 starts tomorrow night.

For the best boxing strength/conditioning routines visit http://boxingperformance.com/

The Power In Being Unpredictable.

I teach my fighters that predictability gets you beat. One of things that drives me nuts when I train fighters is when they continue to throw one jab. Jab move and jab again. They don't do that long at all because I explain to them how easily a fighter will time that jab and come over it since they know how many jabs will come at them.

The power is in being unpredictable. I'll stay with the jab in my example here. Switching up the tempo of the jab and how many jabs you throw and where are fantastic ways to keep the other fighter guessing. If you keep the other fighter guessing you keep him thinking. If the other fighter is over thinking he will begin to hesitate. If the fighter hesitates that creates great opportunities for you to capitalize and score at will.


You also keep the fighter out of rhythm, off his fight plan, while you're in his head. Want another example? Watch the Pavlik-Hopkins replay.

Hopkins did the unthinkable in that fight. He was the aggressor and lead. Pavlik was totally expecting a low punch output mauling fouling Hopkins. He couldn't adjust and was never allowed to get into his rhythm because Bernard fought totally opposite of the way he usually does.

Sensing and seeing that Kelly was thrown off by this early on, Bernard continued it and built on it round by round until we saw him going for the KO in the 12th round! NOBODY expected to see that! Nobody would have dared to predict that.

Bernard of course created that moment by fighting unpredictable while earing himself the performance of a life time. Kelly and all of us watching were taught many lessons that night, one that we never saw coming.

Experience With Attitude Continues To Be The Best Teacher.

Much to the shock of many this weekend class was in session and Bernard gave the dominating lesson. I thought Bernard could trouble Kelly but I didn't expect him to dominate like he did. What a performance and he solidifies himself as one of the best of our era with that win.

Bernard's footwork, timing, reflexes, fight strategy, and attitude TOTALLY shut the ghost down. Hopkins entered the ring with a performance of a life time mood. That was the key, his mindset.

I'm not like the many out there who are throwing Kelly under the bus. I think this loss will only help Kelly in the long run. He lost to a great fighter, not a bum. I think people are going over board on how bad this loss is. It's never good to lose but to lose and share the ring with an all time great and to experience the many lessons he taught that night can help Kelly if he in turn has the right mindset to learn from it.

Kelly experienced what many fighters will be studying from Bernard now and in the future. Nothing can really prepare you for a old school fighter like Bernard.

Looking back on the fight I'm going to discuss what else I feel led to Kelly's down fall besides Bernard's skills..

1. First of all I don't know why he trained in Youngstown for this fight! I mean he was around way to many people. He was hanging around his friends. He was around his wife and kid. Where's the drive and edge in that? I think he was too comfortable in training for this fight.

Training in seclusion without seeing your family, friends, and having other social outlets hardens and gives you a burning edge going into a fight.
You want to make that other fighter pay for this. Your focus is hardened along with your will. Kelly needs to get his ass out of Youngstown for his future camps and do it like the greats did.

Bernard did it by training in a scorching hot gym in south Florida. No distractions and familiar people. Just he his team and plenty of focus. Wonder why Bernard performed so well last Saturday? It was laid down in that environment.

2. Sparring. Who did Kelly spar for this fight? How come he couldn't adjust? Do they ever work with any fighters with great footwork? Fighters with great upper body movement and different unsuspecting timing? From the looks of it last Saturday night, they don't. Were they banking on a mugging, grappling, low punch out put Hopkins to show up? Did they totally prepare for the wrong Hopkins? From the looks of their fight plan or lack there of, I think so.

Kelly will grow from this as Bernard taught him what he is lacking to take the next step up to greatness. Kelly just can't get there with what he has yet. If he can add better footwork, more fluent movement and rhythm while learning to change up his own punch output and timing. He can bounce right back and be better than ever.

He's only 26 years old and lost his first big fight. So fucking what! Give him a chance to learn and ounce back from this! All the greats lost. They proved they can come back better than ever. Let's give this kid a chance!

That's one thing that sucks about boxing, all the fucking morons that pollute it acting like they're experts when the hottest fighter is winning then talking shit when he losses for the first time against a great fighter no less. The ignorance in boxing is thick. Don't believe me? Browse the top sites and read for yourselves.

I'm telling you though, I know this kid will come back better than ever he's only 26 and has a good head on his shoulders. Losses like this can be good.

He can come back if his team can give him what he needs. They really need to look at themselves more so because a fighter is only has good as he is taught or has experienced. He experienced greatness last Saturday night. Now lets see if he's taught what can take him even higher now.

The Science Of Managment : He ought to create a manual.

Here's a real good read on the right way to move a fighter courtesy of Steve Kim's column.

http://maxboxing.com/Kim/Kim101508.asp

Cameron Dunkin obviously gets it. To maximize his fighters potential he keeps them busy and active on all kinds of shows. Placing the fighter on the shelf and waiting for the big fight and pay day spells disaster as they stagnate.

I'm a firm believer and know that proper management along with training is what makes or breaks a fighter. I'm not just talking match making here but fight activity and getting the fighter on the right shows to maximize his fan base and earning potential for the long haul.

Dunkin is old school all the way and when I get involved with managing fighters I'll take the same approach. The fact that Luevano had over 30 fights before he fought for the title is rare today. This is what it takes though to last as champ and not be a flash in the pan champion.

Dunkin moves his fighters as they develop. They develop more by the way they are moved. As much as there is a science to the art of boxing, management is an art and science in itself. Pavlik who is managed by Dunkin is another example of a fighter doing it right. Kelly wasn't rushed bought brought along right. He was allowed to develop into the devastating fighter he now is.

Fighting Hopkins is a smart managerial move. Kelly only benefits in the long haul for what he learns in fighting Hopkins. No active fighter today has Bernard's old school tactics and experience. I would jump at the opportunity to have my fighter take from that too.

So keep in mind that when you see a fighter make it to the top while displaying staying power, there's usually more than talent that got him there. It's often the brilliant management behind the scenes that's just as impressive and important.

*** BTW *** I'm taking Pavlik Saturday night. I think Kelly will be too much for Bernard to handle late in the fight. Too many people are getting wrapped up in Bernard's words and past experience of him shutting down another power puncher in Trinidad.

If Bernard punched as much as he talked I think he could pull off the upset. He just doesn't punch anymore and his activity in shutting down Trinidad was key in that upset. Defense alone doesn't win you fights. You have to punch to score. Hopkins will early until he gets hit hard. Then just as he showed against pillow punching slap happy Calzaghe, he'll fight to survive when the going gets tough. Bernard was Bernard when he was the executioner. That's who we all respected. That's also who's not in the ring anymore either.

Under Developed and Exposed With Ease, Heavyweight Boxing at its Worst!

In Vitali Klitschko's pedestrian win over Sam Peter last Saturday night we saw how ordinary and awfully undeveloped Peter was. I'm not taking away anything from Vitali, he fought his fight plan perfectly and used his tools of height and reach well. But all this shit team Peter was talking on how fearful and destructive Peter is yet he couldn't get by a jab the whole night! I just shook my head in disgust! Fuck, I see open amateur super heavyweights with better technique and skills than Sam.


















Young fighters are supposed to idolize and look up to the heavy weight champ. Well in former champ Sam Peter's case he served as what NOT to be as a champion. Shit, he was the champion. At that stage you are supposed to display superior skills that got you to that stage. The belt is supposed to make you a better fighter, not a worse fighter in Peter's case.

I'm not going over board here either or kicking Peter under the bus. His team should be ashamed and embarrassed with all this shit they been talking over the years yet sending a underdeveloped fighter in the ring repeatedly in Peter. Show balls and take away his will then power and you win.. easy! Vitali did that. Vitali doesn't have a Larry Holmes jab either, yes it was good, but not THAT good.

















I just don't understand these teams thinking now a days. It seams like all the effort goes into pushing the fighter fast, finding the right deals, and building his image more than his skills! Talk about putting the cart before the horse.

Another thing i don't understand is how some writers are forgiving Peter for his performance. BULLSHIT! He was the champion and QUIT with out much effort at all! Why forgive that?! That's what young fighter should model in the champ? No it's not ok to do that. It's not ok to look so undeveloped that you can't even slip a jab let alone use your feet to close the distance. I mean these are basic skills and they are undeveloped in the former champ Peter.

Some people probably think I over hype what I teach as forgotten skills in my boxing dvds and boxingperformance.com, but watching the heavyweight champ perform like a novice solidifies why claims.

I never bought the hype in Peter cause I like many others knew what wee were seeing. All hype and no skills.

I mean it looked like Vitali took his lunch money in the title back from Peter and gave the bully a reminding beating of it. That's what it was. Peter made Vitali look better than he is by what he didn't do. That's the blue print to beat Peter. Master basic skills, show balls, consistency, then you'll beat his ass and make him quit.

No excuses and forgiveness here. This is supposed to be world class championship boxing. Quit lowering the bar and raise it back where the greats proudly had it. Call it like you really see it or shut the hell up.

On a more pleasant note. Chad Dawson proved in his case that the belt and experience does make the fighter better in dominating Tarver. He showed skill, speed, defense, power and athleticism that lets you know that the best is yet to come. He's only 26 and starting to blossom. However, all these talks of Dawson being pound 4 pound need to be silenced until he fights Glenn Johnson again who I thought beat Chad.




















If he can beat Glenn impressively and without controversy then he is indeed pound 4 pound one of the best.

The thing with Chad is he wants to improve, he takes pride in the way he fights, he loves to hone his skill and demand more of himself. He studies the past greats and it shows when he fights. If Peter would have done this perhaps he could still be champ.

Lets hop Vitali doesn't grow lazy with the belt and loose his hunger without defending it against a more than deserving and skillful fighter in Juan Carlos Gomez. If Vitali can beat Juan decisively, then we will know he is for real ass well.Just fighting Juan period will let us know if his skills are really that good or if Peter was really that bad.

This Fighter Doesn't Buy The Hype.

Much is being made of Floyd Mayweather Sr. training Ricky Hatton and what to expect when he faces Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi. Like Paulie I agree, big fucking deal!

Fighters know that a trainer can't change a fighter much with two months of training before a big fight. I just can't understand the timing of these trainers changes. In Hatton like De La Hoya, why right before a big fight?!

If Floyd Sr. is to have any lasting changes with Ricky he would need at last a couple fights to prove the changes. Two months isn't shit and it's all hope and hype on team Hatton's part. We all know Floyd Sr. talks a lot of shit but he knows damn well that you can't expect miracles with only spending eight weeks with a fighter. A non athletic, non committed, and out of shape in between fights fighter like Hatton on top of that.

Look at this picture of Ricky fighting. His lack of defense has always been evident. He leaves himself way too wide open and that's dangerous with a fast handed fighter like Paulie. No matter if people think Paulie slaps, he's a smart enough fighter to take advantage of this.
















Mayweather has A LOT of re programming to do and to be facing a fast handed fighter on top of that in Paulie doesn't look good.

Paulie knows this and doesn't sweat it. He knows what kind of fighter Ricky is and what he will resort back to in the fight. Back to his old lack of defense habits.

I think people are really over looking on how tough Paulie is. I mean watch the Cotto fight again! Paulie showed big balls and grit in that fight! A worn Hatton is NO WHERE near that type of fighter. Paulie's movement and speed of top of that should cause Ricky fits. IF Paulie uses his strengths wisely.


My point in this post is that management puts way to much faith in hoping a new trainer will work miracles before a big fight. Fighters know it doesn't work like that and that it takes time to see lasting changes.

Mayweather in my opinion wasn't a smart choice. I think Flyd takes away from Ricky's fading strengths. Why not Kevin Rooney? It would have made perfect sense. Kevin's style of D'Amato training would have added nicely to Ricky's smothering style of fighting. Lack of head movement and footwork was always Ricky's weakness.

Rooney would install constant head movement and punching in on angles. I even think the style Kevin teaches would have a lasting affect far more than Mayweather's in just eight weeks or so of training.

Team Hatton is believing the hype. Paulie Malignaggi sure the hell isn't and I think we may see a surprising fight come fight night.

Weekend Wrap Up and Two Lessons on What and What Not To Do When Managing Fighters.

HBO's Boxing After Dark series showcased a decent triple header last weekend.

Alfredo Angulo is starting to blossom into a pretty damn good fighter but one thing his brain trust needs to do to take him to a higher level is get him fast and more explosive. Angulo can crack but he's slow and boxers will cause him some problems if his relentless pressure doesn't break him. Alfredo can fight, this we know and this is great. Now get him in the weight room and build a strength base and then build explosive power with plyometrics and watch his performance really improve. This is what his management needs to do to go to higher heights with their fighter.

In fighters like Alfredo you can really see on how strength/power training can add and help him. If anybody knows his management send them this post so we can get to work right away.


In watching Gamboa you were getting a lesson in management on what not to do with a prospect fighter. Gamboa is being pushed too fast. I'm not saying he was in tough last Saturday night, it's just that his management seems more focused on their next move and how fast he's going to get there than on where they are now and what they currently have.

What they have now is a fighter with a mistaken identity. Gamboa is not using his natural boxing ability, athleticism and speed by choosing to instead brawl to please the crowd. Fuck the crowd at this stage. Hone your skills and do what you do best. Box and break fighters down.

Gamboa has a solid strength/conditioning coach this I know. But his skill trainer needs to do a better jab at Gamboa utilizing his gifts and skills.

It just seems that his team is focusing on the finish line without even fully developing their fighter for the race. This is why Gamboa has looked less than spectacular of late.

They need to slow their role and develop Gamboa for the long hall before he ends of being a flash in the pan champion that fades as a fighter fast because he was pushed too fast too soon.

Just look at David Reid and Fernando Vargas's careers as proof.

This is supposed to be a growing process at this point in his career, not a stunt in growth.

Much props must be given to Sergio Martinez in stopping Alex Bunema. Alex posted a few upsets with a few decent fighters leading up to this fight and this gave reason for some to call this fight a pick em. But Sergio proved how much he has matured and grown over the years since getting man handled by Antonio Margarito. No shame in that though.

Sergio looks like he can cause some noise in the Jr. Middleweight division. We'll have to wait and see.

The Hypocrisy Of This Fighter Has No Bounds.

I read recently where Richard Schaefer said Margarito needs more than one big win to earn a fight against Oscar. Huh?! If more fighters had the balls to fight Margarito like Paul Williams, Clottey, and Cotto he'd have a better resume. Team De La Hoya's hypocrisy is THICK and it's down right embarrassing talking that hit on their part.

The fact that many fighters duck Margarito speaks more than anything. Oscar wants none of him, why doesn't he just say what everyone knows. Schaefer's down playing Antonio's accomplishments is outright bullshit considering that Antonio has sparred with Oscar before and Oscar knows what kind of beast Margarito is.

Look... Here's something that can't be argued about Margarito... The Mexican people love and support him similar to the way they supported Julio Caesar Chavez. Oscar has NEVER had that respect and mass Mexican appeal though he is Mexican-American.

Oscar's Golden Boy image that he perfected brilliantly continues to back fire and rub the fans he's always wanted to win over the most the wrong way. The Mexican fans hate the way he fights and heckle him for avoiding Margarito their true champion.

The best way Oscar can close his career and attempt to at least gain some admirable respect from the Mexican people is to fight their hero Margarito. Even if Oscar lost bravely he would gain their respect something he's never really done in his biggest wins.

Don't believe all that fucking hype of Oscar taking the biggest challenge in Pac man.
I like Manny Pac a lot and he's a great fighter and yes the gate and mass world wide appeal with him would be bigger than with Antonio. But Antonio is the biggest fight out there and the hottest fighter right now and this fight makes perfect sense after the Pac man fight provided Oscar wins.

It's a chance for Oscar to finally win over the hearts of the Mexican people. What better way for him to retire and end all the hypocrisy? That's a title he's never won and it would be a true crowning moment in his career that would echo in the hall of fame for quite sometime.

Crunch numbers against that Schaefer!

Hand wrapping for intense punching power.

I get quite a few questions on how I like to wrap hands. Here's a video clip of one way I like to wrap the money makers. Never hit the bags without wrapping your hands. You want to puncher harder for longer? Then wrap your hands well.