Advanced Concepts for Handicapping Boxing

In the real world, especially as it pertains to the sport of boxing, the previous statement is foolish.

How does one accurately predict the victor of a boxing match? The answer: careful analysis.

Whether or not you’re an individual who enjoys the thrill of occasionally betting on a big fight, or someone who takes wagering on boxing quite seriously, the key to betting success is found in the following:

The ability to properly evaluate a boxer’s skill level, natural athleticism and psyche.
Researching the boxer’s statistics (i.e. number of overall fights, wins, losses, quality of opposition, amateur background, etc.), and then doing a head-to-head comparison with his opponent’s statistics. There are 9 major categories I rate on a scale from 1 to 100 when I’m analyzing a fighter’s abilities and psyche: reflex speed, technical ability, natural athleticism, punching power, boxing style, durability, overall condition, level of confidence & the “will to win” factor. It’s safe to say that professional boxers who rate high in all of these categories are either world champions, or will be soon. I’ll define the specifics of each category below:

Reflex Speed:
This category is arguably the single most important weapon in a boxer’s arsenal. Reflex speed manifests itself offensively in the ability to beat an opponent to the punch, as well as defensively in the ability to react to an opponent’s punch before it lands.

Boxing in the amateurs builds a strong foundation for the “must-haves” of a professional boxer - straight right, quick jab, solid hook, good balance, combination punching & a sound defense - all traits to look for when evaluating boxing talent.

Natural Athleticism:
I’m one who sincerely believes in the ideal that “all men are created equal,” with the exceptions of intelligence and natural athleticism. Much like reflex speed, natural athleticism is genetic, as opposed to a trait that can be gained through practice and repetition. When evaluating a boxer’s natural athleticism, look for fluidity of movement, explosive delivery of a punch, and a high degree of reflex speed.

Punching Power:
Boxing without knockouts would be like baseball without home runs. Some of the most famous names in boxing lore - Dempsey, Marciano, Foreman, Tyson, Hearns, Hagler - all possessed great punching power. Punching power is a highly coveted trait in boxing. It is a combination of proper technique, balance, reflex speed, natural athleticism and raw strength.

Boxing Style:
Just as professional football teams can be identified by their style of play - a running team, a defensive team, a dynamic passing team, etc. - boxers can be identified by their boxing style. When evaluating an upcoming fight, identifying a boxer’s particular style will give you an advantage.

Durability:
As a fighter progresses in his career and faces a higher level of competition, durability becomes a major factor. Conditioning plays a huge roll in a fighter’s durability. When a fighter is in excellent condition, he is able to withstand more punches than a lesser-conditioned fighter. Conditioning:

Boxing is arguably the most physically demanding sport out there. When evaluating a boxer’s level of conditioning, look to previous fights in which he may have been KO’d in the middle to late rounds, as well as an obvious drop in total punch output.

Confidence Level:
This aspect of a boxer’s psyche can have a tremendous effect on the outcome of a fight. This fight was over before it began. If you are able to ascertain that a boxer’s level of confidence is low going into a fight, betting on his opponent would be wise.

Research the statistics listed below, whether it be online or through the numerous boxing publications available, and then simply do a head-to-head comparison between the 2 fighters.

Wins & losses.
Knockout percentage (divide the total number of fights into the number of knockouts).
Total number of times a boxer has been KO’d
Age
Height
Reach
Weight
Quality of opposition (i.e. number of ranked opponents fought)
Amateur background (i.e. number of amateur fights)
Quality of Trainer/Management (a boxer’s trainer and management team plays a large role in the overall success of a boxer’s career). Bet smart my friend.

A.   Where to Begin in Your Boxing Training Workouts

Many trainers have it backwards start boxing training backwards, thinking boxing starts from top to bottom. Footwork is everything. Great footwork will put you in position to punch, and allow you to elude a punch at the same time. Fighters that have poor footwork are easier to hit. They’re also easy to out box.

Young fighters must be taught proper footwork before punching. Proper footwork drills work best to remedy this. Fighters have to be taught how to move but still be in position to punch. That’s how boxing is defined. Fighters that have poor foot work look clumsy and slow. Renown boxing trainer Teddy Atlas would have his young fighters work on punching stance and footwork for a month or so before moving on. That’s why his fighters are so fundamentally sound, they work on it.

Working on good footwork is a must. Punchers need to have good footwork to punch off of. This will allow him to get in better position to punch, and allow him to punch of a solid base. Power punchers need to be set off of a solid punching foundation to dig and deliver their awesome power. Footwork, and boxing does start from the ground up.

B.   This is Why You Must Develop a Powerful Uppercut in Your Boxing Training Program

The uppercut is an amazing punch that can knock you out before you knew what hit you. When landed solid, this punch changes fights fast. It amazes me though on how many fighters and trainers neglect this powerful punch.

Just look at vintage footage of Iron Mike Tyson’s fights on how he would rip those viscous uppercuts, and leave his opponents unconscious. Remember Evander Holyfield vs. Bert Cooper? Evander Holyfiled’s uppercut couldn’t miss that night and it was truly damaging blow to Bert Cooper.

Great fighters know what this punch can do, and what it can add to their offense. This is why great fighters hone it relentlessly in their training and work it wisely in their fights. The uppercut is far from an arm punch as so many fighters today throw it that way.. When you drop down and rip up with it you’re throwing it right.

You use some trunk rotation and a quick bend when throwing the punch too. If you get lazy and sloppy with the uppercut it can leave you open for a good counter punch. The counter punch thrown is often a hook that can knock you out before you knew what hit you. It would be wise for boxers to hone this punch in their training while keeping in mind eliminating the chance for any counter punches. You can perfect this scenario in good sparring sessions. The upper cut is not just a punch to land on the inside.

Don’t just wait for sparring. If you had problems landing it or throwing it in a previous sparring session this is a less threatening chance and time for you to perfect the upper cut. Just imagine the scenarios you had with it in sparring and role play with it in shadow boxing.