How to Size up an Opponent in Boxing

Boxing is the ultimate one-on-one sport in that severe injury or in rare cases death can occur if a boxer underestimates his or her opponent. Therefore, the ability to gauge an opponent before the match is critical to long term success and health in the sport.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Watch the way the opponent moves and his fighting style in the ring. Attend some of the other boxer's fights to size him up in person against another opponent. If you can't attend a fight in person, ask around to obtain video of the fighter or get someone you know to record the fighter's boxing matches.

2. Pay specific attention to the reach of an opposing boxer. The reach constitutes how far another boxer can reach with her punches. If an opponent has an extremely long reach, then the strategy is to get inside the reach to lessen the power of the punches. If the reach is limited then the strategy may be to stay away and use a longer reach to punch and jab from a distance.

3. Notice how the opponent is holding his hands. An opponent's hand position can give away weakness because he will keep his hands near his most vulnerable body point for a good percentage of the fight. For example, if the opponent has weak ribs he may tuck his elbows lower to protect this weakness.

4. Stare into the opposing boxer's eyes before the start of the fight. Often if the boxer blinks or looks away when locked into a stare down with the opposing boxer, it is an indication of weakness. Understand that the opponent may be using poor eye contact as a means of deception.

Tips & Warnings

• Never rely solely on the physical attributes when sizing up an opponent. Sometimes a small boxer can carry a powerful punch.

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