Mayweather Boxing: Tips and Tricks

It has occurred to me that like the different styles of martial arts, kung fu, ect. there are different styles of boxing. Just as a round kick in Tae Kwon Do is radically different then a round kick in Muay Thai, there are also different approaches to the sweet science. Among these "styles" in boxing, there is the style "Mayweather Style," associated with the Mayweather family, Floyd Sr. and Jr. and Roger and the boxers associated with them and the rough streets of Flint Michigan, such as world champion James Toney. These fighters are tough veterans who win fights. The success of Floyd Jr. alone validates their style. However, Floyd didn't get to the top purely on skill or genetics, He utilized several tricks to cut corners and marginalize his opponents. If you ain't cheating you ain't trying, so without further ado, here are the top Mayweather Boxing tips and tricks:

1. Shell Defense
Floyd Jr. uses this well, His Father used a more stylized version of this. This defense is also called "shoulder defense," it is an emphasis on protecting the front side of the head with a raised shoulder and a deeply tucked chin. The back hand still is up, but in this style the front hand can be low, or left free to "flick" out lead punches. While this is a violation of traditional boxing wisdom of "keep both hands up or die," but can be quite effective, especially couple with rapid head movement.

2. Head Pull
Make no mistake about it, Floyd Mayweather Jr. is a dirty fighter. He is also a winner. If you aint cheating you ain't trying. The head pull is an illegal clinch move. You can't hold like this in boxing, but it happens and when it does it sets things up. When clinches happen, Floyd pulls his opponent forward, off balance. He then leans on them and uses leverage to control the body of the foe. With the head down, the boxer cannot throw a blow. This is similar to a sprawl in wrestling, except standing. Floyd uses this leverage to throw hooks to the body, especially on the side opposite the referee. I myself did this in Danbury Casino, versus John Allen, and the hooks scored as well as tired my opponent. This may lead to a referee break, but keep throwing blows until this happens. Versus Gatti, Floyd Jr. slipped in three blows and scored a knockdown while the Ref moved in. Dirty? Sure, but effective as well.

3. Pull Counter
This is one of the most famous moves in the "Mayweather Style," it has resulted in many KO's. Among other examples of this Floyd Jr. used it to batter the British Champion Ricky Hatton. It is so effective because it counters when the opponent is most vulnerable, moving in fast. The speed of the opponent radically increases the overall power. According to some guy named Isaac Newton, E=MC2.This means that Mass and speed (C) are squared. If both masses have speed the equation increases exponentially. This is why the "Head On Crash" in car accidents is so bad.
Boxers use this principle to win, the Mayweather's use this in the Pull Counter.
By leaning back and taunting the opponent, He is drawn in. He will probably jab, but either way a skip back should ensure initial defense. A rapid reversal, a right counter, catches the opponent coming in.
The move is finished by skipping back out. Effective aggression is based on explosive movement. It's only one punch, but the timing causes it to have the impact of several.

4. Sucker Punch
An effective, fight ending move, as in Floyd's blasting of Victor Ortiz. Psyche! I am NOT suggesting this tactic, though it is utilized by the Mayweathers.

Nathan Netterlund is a Golden Glove Amatuers Boxer and Boxing Trainer. He has won his last two bouts. He also holds a Brown Belt in Tae Kwon Do. If you have boxing questions, feel free to comment.