Offense Vs Defense
What it takes to win the big one
By Moncayo Blackbull
July 27, 2007 - In any sport you have a defense and an offense, naturally to
become significant in the sport you will need to be successful on both sides.
In team sports such as Baseball, Football and Futbol you have team members
designated as defensive or offensive players. When the team goes into a
defensive or offensive mode then the appropriate players are on the field.
Regardless of what sport you play the object of the game remains the same, Win!
Many coaches in team sports will tell you defense wins championships but can
this be said for boxing?
In my humble opinion, I have to say no, it’s offense that will win titles in
boxing. Fine balances of defensive and offensive skills are needed for a fighter
to make it as a contender but I’ll take a strong offensive minded fighter over a
strong defensive minded fighter nine times out of 10.
Defensive fighters will have a hard time in the scoring department, defensive
minded fighters usually will wait for counter measures to present themselves
before throwing effective blows. This puts them in a disadvantage as most judges
will focus on aggressiveness combined with punches thrown. Throwing punches will
out weigh blocking punches.
Defensive fighting means boxing with much movement, including throwing punches while retreating. This type of punching seldom carries any authority and punches that do not carry any power usually result in an opponent becoming more aggressive and fighting with a lack of respect toward the defensive fighter.
Let’s not confuse defensive fighting with the “runner”, true defensive fighting is an art and a beautiful thing to see. True defensive fighting is when a fighter can make his opponent miss and remain within striking distance to unleash his own effective shots, ala Wilfred Benitez.
Offensive fighters many times lack the skills of a good defensive boxer but they have the advantage of today’s scoring trend. Although judges are supposed to score ring generalship, they almost never do and I’m not sure today’s judges even know how or what to look for when it comes to ring generalship.
Tell me, if a fighter throws a power left hook and the hook is effectively blocked, should the fighter who effectively blocked the punch score? Not likely to happen, the fighter throwing the punch will most likely score regardless if it’s blocked or not.
Offensive fighters also have the advantage that comes with power shots, and
the fact that they can end a fight with a single shot.
Therefore if you have an offensive fighter that’s in shape to throw plenty of
punches every round, ala Paul Williams, then you have a fighter that will win
the tough contests.
That’s my take on whether defense of offence is the key to success, what’s your
position? Email me your comments and I may use it on a follow-up piece.
blackbull@insideboxing.com or pipila00@yahoo.com
Home About Us-Boxing Directories Boxing Schedule Columnists Feedback Inside Coverage Local Scene Links Welcome Search this Site Join eGroup Submit News/Articles Tell Friends Copyright Notice