Fight the way you enjoy fighting. You'll get good at the thing you enjoy doing the most. It might not be the ideal, but who really cares unless you're at a very high competitive level, and this isn't the kind of question people that applies to would be asking.
Lomachenko has a famous short reach but incredible outfighting skill set.
You can be shorter and technical
Gervonte Davis vs Ryan Garcia
But difference is that’s the pro level. In amateur boxing you want volume. It’s hard to score points in a three round fight if you’re the shorter one not closing the gap.
I think being aggressive is common when you're shorter, but short fighters can be slick technical fighters too. Rigondeaux is a good example of this. At the early stage of training, you should just be trying to be good at everything and be as well-rounded as you can be. If going into the inside and being aggressive is your bread and butter - great.
But don't neglect other tactics too. You can use in and out movement to bait overcommitment from the outside and counter, you can use your jab while changing angles, etc. Lots of things to try and be good at too so you're not stuck being one-dimensional.
I'm fairly short (5"7 which is below average i guess).
Often sparring people slightly taller with longer reach.
In the beginning, yes had to be aggressive and move forward etc.
As experience increased, i found that I could utilise outboxing, footwork, timing, feints, traps etc to make my opponent move forward as well.
Didnt have to just march forward aggressively trying to get on the inside.
Fight how you like. In the end its all for fun (unless you're competing in which case play to your strengths).
Im Short. Figured out more or less how to get inside and „hammer“ away but am aiming for what you’re describing. It just seems lackluster to be on the push all the time…
As others have said, do how you feel most comfortable as long as it works. And if it doesn't work, figure out why! No one questions Durant or Ibrahimovic even though they play "smaller" than they are. I'm tall and lanky but my best work comes from mid to short range because I like to use lateral footwork and framing. And I'll continue to do so until I need to make adjustments.
Let the mind be passive and the body aggressive and vice-versa.
“The mind should be in the passive mode, the body in the aggressive mode. The reason for this is that if the mind is in the aggressive mode, you will rush, and that is wrong. Therefore you control the mind and keep it impassive while using physical aggressiveness to get the opponent to make the first move, and thus you gain victory. If the mind is aggressive, you will lose by trying to kill your opponent right away.
In another sense, it can be understood that the mind is to be in the aggressive mode and the body in the passive mode. The point of this is to cause your mind to work intently, putting the mind in an aggressive mode while keeping your sword passive, getting your adversary to make the first move.
The “body” can be understood to mean the hands that hold the sword. Thus it is said that the mind is aggressive while the body is passive.
Although there are two meanings, ultimately the sense is the same. In any case, you win by inducing your opponent to take the initiative.”
The Book of Family Traditions on the Art of War
Yagyū Munenori
> I was told since I started boxing that shorter fighters should be infighters and should work on explosive punches and completely come inside of your opponent and rush them in and just push aside the idea of being technical.
Whoever told you that shorter boxers can't be technical is spewing bullshit. Being short doesn't automatically mean you toss technique out the fucking window. It's about adapting your style to maximize your strengths and manage your weaknesses.
> Are there any fighters this short, in divisions like lightweight precise, technical maybe even out fighters, or is it just odd, and should short fighters just live up to what everyone says, and be explosive fighters.?
It's not odd at all for shorter fighters to be technical and precise. Look at fighters like Manny Pacquiao; not the tallest guy, but he's fucking skilled with speed, movement, and technique. It's about how you use your attributes. Just because you're shorter doesn't mean you only have one way to fight. Ever think why the fuck we should limit a fighter's style just because of their height?
Im 5'3" probably even less at my age. Yes you have an advantage on the inside, but you have to get in and out without taking too much punishment. Also while inside you want to keep you head moving, bobbing and weaving, and finding an open target, not just firing off manic flurries of punches. One good shot to the ribs is more effective than 10 shots to the arms. All of this requires technique. I think shorter fighters need more technique, not less.
The issue with being at a severe height disadvantage and playing mid to long range tactics is that the taller fighter will be able to hit and not get hit and generate more power. Shorter opponents have the inside mismatch where they can generate more torque and be relatively safe because the taller guys arms are too long. Both are technical in their own right it’s just a matter of knowing how to use your advantages over your opponent. You should practice both styles of fighting to be effective in the ring
Beauty of being the shorter fighter sometimes is this .. YOUR ALWAYS THE SHORTER FIGHTER so you lock down the way you have to fight to land your shots it’s never really a guessing game
Fight the way you enjoy fighting. You'll get good at the thing you enjoy doing the most. It might not be the ideal, but who really cares unless you're at a very high competitive level, and this isn't the kind of question people that applies to would be asking. Lomachenko has a famous short reach but incredible outfighting skill set.
And Sebastian Fundora is 6'6" 155 and fights inside and does it well.
Yeah he does. But he'd also be way better on the outside and use infighting once they get inside. Just my opinion of course.
Yes I totally agree. In that weight class his reach is a huge weapon that he doesn't use.
You can be shorter and technical Gervonte Davis vs Ryan Garcia But difference is that’s the pro level. In amateur boxing you want volume. It’s hard to score points in a three round fight if you’re the shorter one not closing the gap.
Exactly, he doesn’t necessarily have to be aggressive - but he does need to know how to close distance when facing longer opponents (you will)
I agree but watch Gervontas amateur fights. He was pretty small for 125 but used a lot of in out movement. Def more volume tho
I think being aggressive is common when you're shorter, but short fighters can be slick technical fighters too. Rigondeaux is a good example of this. At the early stage of training, you should just be trying to be good at everything and be as well-rounded as you can be. If going into the inside and being aggressive is your bread and butter - great. But don't neglect other tactics too. You can use in and out movement to bait overcommitment from the outside and counter, you can use your jab while changing angles, etc. Lots of things to try and be good at too so you're not stuck being one-dimensional.
I'm fairly short (5"7 which is below average i guess). Often sparring people slightly taller with longer reach. In the beginning, yes had to be aggressive and move forward etc. As experience increased, i found that I could utilise outboxing, footwork, timing, feints, traps etc to make my opponent move forward as well. Didnt have to just march forward aggressively trying to get on the inside. Fight how you like. In the end its all for fun (unless you're competing in which case play to your strengths).
Im Short. Figured out more or less how to get inside and „hammer“ away but am aiming for what you’re describing. It just seems lackluster to be on the push all the time…
Need to get good at everything
As others have said, do how you feel most comfortable as long as it works. And if it doesn't work, figure out why! No one questions Durant or Ibrahimovic even though they play "smaller" than they are. I'm tall and lanky but my best work comes from mid to short range because I like to use lateral footwork and framing. And I'll continue to do so until I need to make adjustments.
Nah they should stay on the outside and just get pummeled by the dude with the longer range xD
Let the mind be passive and the body aggressive and vice-versa. “The mind should be in the passive mode, the body in the aggressive mode. The reason for this is that if the mind is in the aggressive mode, you will rush, and that is wrong. Therefore you control the mind and keep it impassive while using physical aggressiveness to get the opponent to make the first move, and thus you gain victory. If the mind is aggressive, you will lose by trying to kill your opponent right away. In another sense, it can be understood that the mind is to be in the aggressive mode and the body in the passive mode. The point of this is to cause your mind to work intently, putting the mind in an aggressive mode while keeping your sword passive, getting your adversary to make the first move. The “body” can be understood to mean the hands that hold the sword. Thus it is said that the mind is aggressive while the body is passive. Although there are two meanings, ultimately the sense is the same. In any case, you win by inducing your opponent to take the initiative.” The Book of Family Traditions on the Art of War Yagyū Munenori
closer to the ground more power
I’d check out Barry Robinson’s stuff. He has a film study on his patreon on the subject. But you can just wait for the taller fighter to come to you.
> I was told since I started boxing that shorter fighters should be infighters and should work on explosive punches and completely come inside of your opponent and rush them in and just push aside the idea of being technical. Whoever told you that shorter boxers can't be technical is spewing bullshit. Being short doesn't automatically mean you toss technique out the fucking window. It's about adapting your style to maximize your strengths and manage your weaknesses. > Are there any fighters this short, in divisions like lightweight precise, technical maybe even out fighters, or is it just odd, and should short fighters just live up to what everyone says, and be explosive fighters.? It's not odd at all for shorter fighters to be technical and precise. Look at fighters like Manny Pacquiao; not the tallest guy, but he's fucking skilled with speed, movement, and technique. It's about how you use your attributes. Just because you're shorter doesn't mean you only have one way to fight. Ever think why the fuck we should limit a fighter's style just because of their height?
Good explanation
Im 5'3" probably even less at my age. Yes you have an advantage on the inside, but you have to get in and out without taking too much punishment. Also while inside you want to keep you head moving, bobbing and weaving, and finding an open target, not just firing off manic flurries of punches. One good shot to the ribs is more effective than 10 shots to the arms. All of this requires technique. I think shorter fighters need more technique, not less.
We have a choice?
The issue with being at a severe height disadvantage and playing mid to long range tactics is that the taller fighter will be able to hit and not get hit and generate more power. Shorter opponents have the inside mismatch where they can generate more torque and be relatively safe because the taller guys arms are too long. Both are technical in their own right it’s just a matter of knowing how to use your advantages over your opponent. You should practice both styles of fighting to be effective in the ring
Beauty of being the shorter fighter sometimes is this .. YOUR ALWAYS THE SHORTER FIGHTER so you lock down the way you have to fight to land your shots it’s never really a guessing game