Nerdcore Boxing

I think body punching is probably the most feared skill in boxing. This notion often seems counterintuitive to beginners,  everyone is afraid of that big shot to the head. But I think most experienced boxers would tell you that they cringe at the idea of facing a good body puncher.

After you face one it becomes obvious why they are so dangerous. They stretch your defenses, they dish out a lot pain and they play on your fear of fatigue.

Body punches are a multi-headed threat:

• Body punches can cause KOs. Take a good shot to the kidneys or liver and you’ll go down paralyzed. I’ve personally seen a guy take 2 minutes to get up after taking a left hook to the liver.
• They effect your breathing, especially if your ribs get busted or badly bruised.
• They sap your strength. Nothing is more frightening than gassing against a fresh boxer.
• Head punches are alarming, they bring about blackouts or unconciousness, but they don’t cause overwhelming pain. Body punches on the other hand can really hurt.
• Body punches stretch your defenses. Defending the body often weakens the defense of the head.
• Body punching is a rare skill, so most boxers don’t get a lot of practice defending against this attack.

I’d say I’m a novice level body puncher, but I’ve gotten on the road to becoming a good body puncher. So far the skills I’ve developed have been very welcomed in my game.