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The 3 Phases of Punching Technique

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3 Phases of Punching Technique

The real title of this article is actually “Why Lifting Weights Won’t Increase Punching Power – PART 3”.

Why do I keep revisiting this sensitive topic? It’s not because I want all the sports experts to come on here and hate me. (No, I don’t need that.) It’s simply because I want to change the way people look at punching.

It is of no importance to me whether you lift weights or not. What’s far more important and beneficial for YOUR punching power is how YOU look at punching technique.

What I’m going to share is not NEW. I didn’t invent it. It’s been around forever and now I share it for those with a curiosity to look at things differently. This is the way many of the best boxers I know look at punching technique.
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10 Pro Boxing Techniques

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Pro Boxing Techniques

How do pro boxers fight?

  • What techniques do pros use that amateurs don’t?
  • What are some special things that only pros do?
  • What are the things that pros do really well?

I’ve put together a list of key fighting techniques that I’ve seen in practically all professional boxers but rarely in amateur boxers. Many of these special techniques are subtle and require truly refined skills that can only be developed through years of training. They are very hard to see and even harder to do. I share them to the best of my ability for your enjoyment and perhaps future boxing inspiration.

Here they are: 10 POPULAR pro boxing techniques!
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Mindset of a Champion

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Mindset of a Champion

What goes on inside a champion’s head?

What do they worry about? What do they focus on? How do they approach boxing and fighting differently from other fighters?

The most shocking and inspirational revelation of all was when I realized all pro boxers saw themselves as champions. They had all won local amateur tournaments or achieved success in other areas of life. Even the ones without sporting accomplishments saw themselves as champions in life. And all of them trained like they were going to become champions.

After spending several years with these guys everyday in the gym, it was easy for me to pick out all the things that made them different from the average boxer.

I initially wrote this guide to describe pro boxers but it wasn’t long before I realized I was describing the mindset of every champion.

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Horizontal Punches vs Vertical Punches

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Vertical punches vs Horizontal punches

Should you punch with a horizontal fist or a vertical fist?

  • Which is more powerful?
  • Which is faster?
  • Which is BETTER?

It depends on who you ask. Some trainers say you should punch with a horizontal fist. Some trainers say you should punch with a vertical fist. Factor in the various punching techniques from martial artists, kickboxers, and other kinds of fighting styles and you’ll hear a dozen more conflicting views.

I’ve heard arguments for all kinds of techniques and actually, everyone has a good point. Both horizontal-fisted punches and vertical-fisted punches can be effective but first you have to know WHY and WHEN to use them.

Read my definitive guide on punching with a HORIZONTAL FIST vs VERTICAL FIST.
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Guide to Shadow Boxing

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shadow boxing

What is shadow boxing?
Why do pro boxers shadowbox so much?
More importantly, how could YOU be shadow boxing differently to improve your fighting abilities?

Shadow boxing is not just punching by yourself.

Shadow boxing is one of the oldest, most pure, and versatile exercises for improving many aspects of your fighting ability.

Learn how to shadowbox to become a natural fighter.

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The Art of Light Punches

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Art of Light Punches

Everyone knows how to punch hard, but what about how to punch light?

  • Light punches are faster, require less energy, and leave you less vulnerable.
  • Light punches can confuse your opponent’s defense and for more unpredictable attacks.
  • Light punches can be thrown from a wider range of positions than harder punches.

Learning how to use light punches can actually make you a HARDER AND MORE EFFECTIVE PUNCHER!
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Why ALL Fighters Should Learn Boxing

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Why ALL Fighters Should Learn Boxing

Boxing can teach you more about fighting than you might ever realize.

 

Those who’ve never tried boxing could easily say:

  • Why bother with a limited fighting art that only uses the hands?
  • No kicks, knees, or elbows? Boxing isn’t real fighting.
  • Boxing is only about landing the knockout punch, anyone can get lucky.
  • Boxers have bad punching technique.
  • Boxing is so unskilled, it just looks like a brawling street fight.

 

Those who HAVE tried boxing could easily say:

  • Boxing is tough. Tough training, even tougher competition.
  • Pure athleticism. Raw speed, power, and endurance. Tiring and painful.
  • Incredible reflexes and extremely fast fight reaction time.
  • Very skilled, commonly misunderstood and under-appreciated fighting art.
  • Very humble fighters and learning environment.

 

All fighters, mixed martial artists, could benefit from learning how to box. Even if you don’t care for boxing techniques or boxing punches, you could still learn a lot. Boxing can make you a better athlete, improve your reflexes, make you smoother, and more comfortable in a fight. There’s a reason why all MMA camps have dedicated boxing trainers on staff.

Here are my 5 reasons why EVERY FIGHTER should pick up some boxing skills:
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5 Southpaw Boxing Tricks

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5 Southpaw Boxing Tricks

I’ve been asked for southpaw guides so often that I’ve decided to enlist the help of a true southpaw, one of my fighters, and a great friend: Van Truong. This will be his first post of many to come for ExpertBoxing.

These are some of the simplest and most effective southpaw tricks I’ve used to land punches on orthodox fighters. All you need is a little movement, a slip or a feint, and of course some basic punching technique. Being that you already have a southpaw advantage simply because your stance alone, it doesn’t take too much to confuse the right-handers. 🙂

Here are 5 of my favorite southpaw boxing tricks:
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How to Fight a Counter-Puncher

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How to Fight a Counter-Puncher

Counter-punchers can be the hardest AND MOST ANNOYING type of fighters to beat!

  • They’re so much faster. Sometimes even taller and longer.
  • They move a lot.
  • And they hit you every time you try to come in on them.

Like I said, counter-punchers are ANNOYING! But don’t worry…there are many tactics you can use to put pressure on them, make them uncomfortable, and eventually break them down.

Here’s how you counter the counter-puncher!
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Dancer’s Footwork for Fighters

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Dancer's Footwork for Fighters

10 DAYS OF INTENSE FOOTWORK TRAINING

Develop a slick explosive footwork for fighting. Hold your ground and throw punches with more power than ever before. Move with catlike agility and razor-sharp quickness. Develop rock hard muscles in your legs and core. Out move all your opponents!

I and my brother Brian (dance champion), share the secrets to dancers footwork training in this special 10-day intensive training program. 4 hours of instructional video and a 24-page workbook to improve your footwork skills.

Learn OVER 100 special footwork drills dancers use to develop core and leg strength, improve balance awareness, and move their feet with blinding speed, power, and precision!

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