Learn From the Best

If you are making it to class this week (and why shouldn’t you?), you’ll be breaking down hooks to perfect that punch. With the hook being one of the hardest, yet most powerful punches it brings frustration to many boxers.

How far should I be?
Am I throwing with power?
How can I use it in sparring?
Im losing my balance!

Instead of giving you the breakdown of a hook, since we rather bring it to you in person! Here are a few boxers that have some of the most effective hooks, and tips to keep in mind.

Mike Tyson

Tyson is known for so many of his knockouts due to a powerful, yet compact frame. His effective hooks are explosive because of the output coming from his legs. Tysons left hook would create destructive force to his opponents by utilizing his power leading to KO’s over and over again. Our footwork such as a shuffle and slips, would be the main opening for his shots to make their way in. Since Tyson was on the shorter end (under 6 feet), he had to make use of his speed and agility to create his opportunities.

Take a page out of Tysons book for yourself and try these quick tips…

Keep your slips and rolls moving to create a defense that allows for you to open up that flurry of power hooks.

Ground your legs when throwing hooks, but keep them light as you shuffle, pivot, and make circles around your bag or opponent.
Tight hooks utilize more direct power. So be like Tyson and stay tight until you utilize your strength solely for that shot.

Joe Frazier

The “bully boxing” style made this left hook from Frazier impossible to miss. He was unpredictable, which is what made it his best finisher. A childhood broken arm is atritubuted to his always bent and ready elbow, which may have been a nice catch! This hook dropped Muhammed Ali… practice makes perfect!

QUICK.

EXPLOISVE.

ACCURATE.

The timing behind his punches where exquisite. He knew when you were ready to go down and went in for the kill. Another point of his hook was the ability to keep variety in giving this painful punch. Whether it would come from a jab to the body or from a bobbing motion, it had a sting that left each boxer on their back

Take the bag with a Frazier approach..

See how many ways you can counter with a hook. Get out of your comfort zone! Take a few rounds to see how else you can land that hook efficiently.
His angles landed the shot, so use your various positions to see how different shoulder and hip angles can vary up your punch.

Sugar Ray Robinson

1 hook, 2 hooks, 3 hooks! The man with the multiple hooks! To many, he might not be the first
“Sugar Ray” that pops into their head, but he’s the first! His approach was not only accurate but effective. Sugar Ray uses his ability to layer his shots throughout the body to get his iconic wins. This approach is one of my favorites! Robinson utilizes his jabs to open up entry, then when his opponent is ready to counter, BAM! hook after hook are landed until the opponent is lights out on the mat.

In order to increase your hook speed on the bag..

Rely on a tight midline and fast hips. Snap you hips, don’t rely on your bicep, and dig into that liver shot.
Reload your punches from your face and let them out on the body and the head to keep your opponent guessing. Force their hands move up and down.

Fight Focus: 3 Great Hooks to Remember