Holding off aggressive sparring partners

[Ubiquitouso]

Hello,

I'm relatively new to sparring (and boxing in general), I've been training for a little over a year, and in that time I've learned that the style that seems to work best for me is being an outboxer. I'm 6ft 160lbs and I get told often that I have long arms, so naturally I like to stay out of my opponents reach then move in with the jab and try to land a right cross (and if I can then I'll throw a combo).

My issue is that when I'm fighting on the outside and peppering my opponents with my jab/straight right I'm not sure how to handle a pressure fighter in a sparring situation. I know that I should be lining them up for a straight right hand when they charge in, but since its sparring I don't want to hurt them too badly, so I end up throwing a fast right hand without any power and quickly backing off to get out of range, but then I end up getting caught in the corner, and usually I'm off balance because I like to be on my toes and I find it hard to push back against an aggressive opponent when my footing isn't grounded.

Any advice for how I can handle these sparring situations better? Should I practice to be more grounded when sparring and only be light on my feet when I'm going for a long stiff jab and right hand, then immediately go back to lowering my centre of gravity and having a good strong base?

[tcbender]

A well timed, strong jab will stop a pressure fighter in their tracks, but not for too long so you gotta stay on your horse. Get better at staying off the ropes, keep moving, move throughout your combos, and if you have to blast them with a right hand to earn some respect then do it.

I get wanting to be light on your sparring partners, but they also need to learn not to get caught on the way in if you are able to.

You shouldn't be close enough in general to be hand fighting in the clinch, and if you get in that situation then don't be pushing back fighting them just get out of there and back to range. It sounds simple enough but takes time to actually get in the habit of. Don't get ****** in to their fight, stick with your style and your gameplan.

[Ubiquitouso]

You shouldn't be close enough in general to be hand fighting in the clinch, and if you get in that situation then don't be pushing back fighting them just get out of there and back to range. It sounds simple enough but takes time to actually get in the habit of. Don't get ****** in to their fight, stick with your style and your gameplan.

Yeah I guess I gotta learn this, I always have the mentality of "anything you can do, I can do better", so I always try to beat my opponents at their own game.

I also get really tired moving around a lot, so towards the end of the sparring sessions I like to practice fighting in the clinch and moving from side to side of my opponent and throwing uppercuts/hooks/short straight punches. Since it's really dangerous to throw jabs against pressure fighters unless my jab and movement is on-point.. If I start to get tired and throw a couple lazy jabs I can tell they're just waiting to throw their overhand right.. So then I need to either pick up the pace or adjust how I throw my jab (tuck my chin into my shoulder when I throw it and get ready to duck under the overhand right, and be mindful of their uppercuts)

[tcbender]

Yeah I guess I gotta learn this, I always have the mentality of "anything you can do, I can do better", so I always try to beat my opponents at their own game.

I also get really tired moving around a lot, so towards the end of the sparring sessions I like to practice fighting in the clinch and moving from side to side of my opponent and throwing uppercuts/hooks/short straight punches. Since it's really dangerous to throw jabs against pressure fighters unless my jab and movement is on-point.. If I start to get tired and throw a couple lazy jabs I can tell they're just waiting to throw their overhand right.. So then I need to either pick up the pace or adjust how I throw my jab (tuck my chin into my shoulder when I throw it and get ready to duck under the overhand right, and be mindful of their uppercuts)

Haa yeah I can easily get ****** in, even when I already know what my opponent is going to do and go in there with a plan to do the opposite.

One of the heavyweights I spar with often likes to clinch up and sort of wrestle on the inside. I know if I ever fight someone my size that wants to wrestle and dirty box in the clinch that I'll be in good shape because of it, It's definitely good to be well-versed at different ranges and fighting styles, so practicing other techniques and styles is a worthwhile investment.

It's also a bit difficult to be ducking under punches in short range if you are the taller fighter. One thing I see guys doing is rather than slowly backing up and using the space of the ring, after they circle off the ropes they almost immediately back up to the other side of the ring (almost on the ropes again). Instead circle around your opponent to the center of the ring then slowly back up while throwing jabs or right hands. It gives you a lot more real estate to work with and more time before they can really try to pressure you again. Helps to learn to manipulate that distance.

[Ubiquitouso]

Haa yeah I can easily get ****** in, even when I already know what my opponent is going to do and go in there with a plan to do the opposite.

One of the heavyweights I spar with often likes to clinch up and sort of wrestle on the inside. I know if I ever fight someone my size that wants to wrestle and dirty box in the clinch that I'll be in good shape because of it, It's definitely good to be well-versed at different ranges and fighting styles, so practicing other techniques and styles is a worthwhile investment.

It's also a bit difficult to be ducking under punches in short range if you are the taller fighter. One thing I see guys doing is rather than slowly backing up and using the space of the ring, after they circle off the ropes they almost immediately back up to the other side of the ring (almost on the ropes again). Instead circle around your opponent to the center of the ring then slowly back up while throwing jabs or right hands. It gives you a lot more real estate to work with and more time before they can really try to pressure you again. Helps to learn to manipulate that distance.

Yeah I like to practice different things for each opponent that I face. some people are good at defending straight punches, some are good at defending hooks/uppercuts, so I just try to stay out of range long enough to figure them out, constantly reset and move off angle when they try to get ready to set up their offense, see how they react when I move a certain way or throw punches from different angles.

The guys that I hate sparring the most are the ones who do the exact same as me, except they're bigger like 6'2-6'3 and 180-200lbs. They can be just as quick as me except they hit hard even when they're just flicking out their punches, its so demoralizing lol.. Guess I better start hitting the weights and simultaneously getting quicker haha

[Marchegiano]

I hadn't read anyone else's advice so I may just be repeating.


For me, I am short and squat. I'm also a bit old so maybe folks have changed but I reckon the distance fighter's best asset is the pivot. Cutting means prediction, it ain't as easy as it looks.

Give them boys a pivot and see if they don't follow you square and reckon themselves silly for doing it too! So many times a long'en got me with a set-up I recognized because I failed to stop my natural instincts. I reckon just about anyone can do it if they got their mind tuned for doing it.

[abracada]

Hello,

I'm relatively new to sparring (and boxing in general), I've been training for a little over a year, and in that time I've learned that the style that seems to work best for me is being an outboxer. I'm 6ft 160lbs and I get told often that I have long arms, so naturally I like to stay out of my opponents reach then move in with the jab and try to land a right cross (and if I can then I'll throw a combo).

My issue is that when I'm fighting on the outside and peppering my opponents with my jab/straight right I'm not sure how to handle a pressure fighter in a sparring situation. I know that I should be lining them up for a straight right hand when they charge in, but since its sparring I don't want to hurt them too badly, so I end up throwing a fast right hand without any power and quickly backing off to get out of range, but then I end up getting caught in the corner, and usually I'm off balance because I like to be on my toes and I find it hard to push back against an aggressive opponent when my footing isn't grounded.

Any advice for how I can handle these sparring situations better? Should I practice to be more grounded when sparring and only be light on my feet when I'm going for a long stiff jab and right hand, then immediately go back to lowering my centre of gravity and having a good strong base?

It’s easy, keep distance, if needed back peddle and keep distance, try the body shots..... after a round of them swinging wildly and charging they will be gassed out.

[young_robbed]

Stand your ground and fire back, if you have pop and you land early they know they cannot dive in recklessly without consequence. Others are suggesting backpedaling and lateral movement which is also good, but not always the answer for aggressive sparring partners/sluggers. Sometimes you have to back a guy up and see if they can fight moving backwards, as not everyone is accustomed to that style.

[Redd Foxx]

Lateral movement helps. As does making them miss. Both will tire them quickly. If it's a situation where they're not going to tire (you're just doing a round or two) you have to get a little rough. I like a stiff right hand to the solar plexus to slow someone down. If you throw a lot of light work up top and then (without looking at their body) lead with a right to the body you'll surprise a lot of guys. Nothing changes the tempo like a hard body shot.

[Offic.Scorecard]

Right after throwning, the moment, let's say you threw a right hand, push with your opposite, left foot, off the ground, weave to your right and get outside. If you finished your combo with your left hand you do the same and move to the left. This way you aren't turning around the ropes, but around your opponent. Pacquiao for example, is great at doing it.