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Amir Khan Versus Marcos Maidana – The Roach Approach?

on November 11, 2010

On December 11th, Amir Khan enters the ring in defense of his WBA Light Welterweight title. Khan’s opponent will be the tough and redoubtable Argentinian Marcos Rene Maidana (El Chino), holder of an impressive record of 29-1-0 with 27 KOs. I think most observers agree that this bout has the potential to be the toughest test since Khan enlisted the services of the Midas-like Freddie Roach. This feels like a major step up in risk for Khan as he has been quite carefully managed of late. Maidana hits hard, throws lots of punches and has solid endurance meaning that the shots he throws in the last will carry as much destructive power as those thrown in the first. In short, Amir has not faced anything like this since Bredis Prescott. None of Khan’s recent opponents could be described as a knockout artist (Malignaggi, Salita, Kotelnik…need I say more), Maidana on the other hand most definitely is.

In a previous article (Amir Khan – The Road to Roach), I described what I think were the technical issues identified by Freddie Roach in Khan’s style and how these issues have been addressed by Roach. I won’t go through those issues again here, but it’s worth having a refresh of that article before getting onto the ‘meat’ of this article. In this article, I want to take the natural next step and, using video footage, assess what kind of thought processes Freddie Roach might have gone through in devising a strategy and tactics for Khan to use against Maidana. We will examine any strengths in Maidana’s style and what counter-measures may be devised by Roach. We will also examine any potential weaknesses in Maidana’s style and consider how Roach might advise Khan to capitalize on these weaknesses. Ultimately we’ll end up with what might be (and I use the word ‘might’) the Khan/Roach fight plan to overcome Marcos Maidana and retain the cherished light welterweight crown.

For the purposes of the analysis, we’ll look at two of Maidana’s recent fights, firstly his war with Victor Ortiz which ended in a 6th round TKO for El Chino. It’s an all-action fight, so check out the video and then read on.

We can see during Maidana’s see-saw match-up against Victor Ortiz that there are a number of observable factors on both sides that lead to the final result:

Maidana, when at long range/edge of range, holds a high guard but does not burden himself with the task of feinting to create an opening. In fact, he seems to go from standing still to all out, kamikaze-style attack without any middle bit. Now, if the opponent decides to meet fire with fire then this inevitably leads to a real crowd-pleasing fight. On the flip side though, it does mean that predicting Maidana’s modus operandi becomes fairly straightforward. In many ways, Ortiz is the architect of his own defeat. Rather than giving ground and using his more polished boxing skills to outscore his on-rushing opponent, he decides to go to war. What is the likelihood of Freddie Roach advising Khan to go gunning for this guy in the same way as Ortiz? No more than he would advise Khan to go running through a minefield wearing clown shoes.
Maidana is very much at ease when chasing a retreating opponent down. Again, Ortiz is in many ways his own worst enemy as he alternates from attacking in an all-out assault to backing off without exacting any kind of price from Maidana for the ground conceded. For large periods, Ortiz backpedals without landing any kind of worthwhile shots. He basically gives the impetus to Maidana and psychologically the fight ebbs away from him. Would Roach advocate this kind of approach? I very much doubt this. Khan will likely be told to use his boxing skills to pivot away from and side-step trouble whilst still maintaining a degree of control over Maidana by landing meaningful punches.

So, from the Ortiz fight my guess is that Freddie Roach will identify at least two key points. Firstly, Amir Khan should not launch an all out attack on Maidana, even if he feels that Maidana is ‘hurt.’ Maidana is a very concussive puncher and even after taking shots solid enough to floor him, he very rarely has looked dazed. Secondly, Khan cannot afford to run from Maidana. Instead of running, he could undertake a true fighting retreat allowing Maidana to become reckless and taking advantage of this recklessness with effective scoring shots. I’m sure that Roach will consider the best of all worlds being a long range contest, but I’m sure he’ll be realistic in deciding that staying at long range for 12 rounds will be next to impossible. Which all brings us neatly on to our next video, Maidana’s hotly disputed points defeat to Andreas Kotelnik.

I don’t want to get too involved in the decision on this fight and whether it was right or wrong. I’ve not watched and scored the entire fight, and I’m not surprised that a hometown decision could take place in Germany (see Sven Ottke!) I’ve selected this video to pick out the technical issues that may become relevant during the Khan v Maidana fight.

Some observations on the Kotelnik fight then:

For an attack-minded fighter, Maidana is not as effective during inside fighting than maybe he should be. His shots tend to loop quite a lot and often land harmlessly on Kotelnik’s blocking arms. Check out 2.23, 2.35, 2.48, 05.20, 05.35, 6.43. Jumping ahead 8.55 through to 9.01; these shots are simply not scoring and are not having any real impact on Kotelnik. OK, Maidana is an intense fighter, but his looping shots up close mean that Kotelnik is regularly able to fire short shots out of cover without risking taking any incoming shots. Some Roach advice to Khan? When up close, cover up tight, throw 2 or 3 short fast hooks/uppercuts, then roll away to long range whilst keeping the guard intact. This could be a mechanism for Khan to maintain the range and could prove vital during a long fight.
Maidana starts off quite slowly, but normal service is resumed as he barrels forward paying scant regard to his own defense. Kotelnik is not the kind of puncher that can take advantage of this, and Maidana knows this. The question is, can Khan use his greater punching prowess (and yes, Khan does hit harder than Kotelnik) to use Maidana’s own bodyweight and forward momentum against him? I’ll bet that Freddie Roach thinks so!

So, taking into account some of the things we’ve covered so far, I’m going to go through what kind of approach that we might see from Khan/Roach:

Under no circumstances will Khan chase Maidana around the ring, even if Maidana is hurt. Let us make no mistake here, Marcos Maidana would have put the pre-Roach version of Amir Khan to sleep in a similar style as did Prescott. Khan will seek to maintain distance and will employ a more conservative approach to the fight.
Freddie Roach could very well feel that Marcos Maidana is in actual fact tailor-made for Amir Khan. Sure he’s a big hitter and his record is very compelling, but he is raw and is quite conventional in his approach. Even so, Roach will insist that Khan maintain 100% concentration and discipline at all times because if he switches off, even for a second, the bone-crunching right hand that El Chino wields could very well hit home. If that happens, who knows how Khan will react!
Following on from the previous points, I don’t see any circumstances under which Freddie Roach will advise Khan to become involved in a toe-to-toe battle with Maidana. The risks are far too high and the reality is that Roach will be preparing Khan for a distance fight of sensible, considered boxing. After all, that is Khan’s new found understanding since being with Freddie Roach. Freddie Roach will encourage Amir Khan to be what he is, a boxer first and a fighter second.

Finally, what kind of result will be delivered on the 11th December? To my mind, I’m expecting to see one of two outcomes:

1. A points decision in favour of Khan, and I feel that we are going to see a very wide margin of victory as Khan uses precise shots and smart foot movement to leave Maidana frustrated.

2. Khan stops Maidana, more likely on the 3 knockdown rule rather than any other type of stoppage. Khan can hit, but Maidana is teak tough so a clean KO is very unlikely. Maidana can be floored, but does get up again and doesn’t look overly concerned/confused following a knockdown.

I’m sure though that Messrs Khan and Roach are taking nothing for granted, Marcos Maidana is a very dangerous opponent! I’ll post a review following the fight and see if any of these observations had any impact. As always, please leave a comment with your views.

PS – Check out the article on what actually happened in the Khan/Maidana fight: Khan Versus Maidana Fight Analysis – The Post Mortem.

Cheers

Fran

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Boxing Tips – Defensive Inside Fighting!

on November 2, 2010

About Defensive Inside Fighting

The boxing tips that you get within this article and the two videos (that’s right, one article, two videos!) will help you become a deadly exponent of fighting on the inside. Successful infighting demands a variety of skills from short range punching, subtle footwork, even more subtle upper body movements and as importantly as anything an ability to block incoming punches with your arms. When up close, fighting on the inside, the shots that are used are short and medium range hooks and uppercuts. Upper body movement is effective, but because the punches being thrown are travelling such a short distance (if they are being thrown correctly that is) the best method of defense is to use arm blocks. The reason that arm blocks are most suited during inside fighting is that they require minimal movement; allowing the defender to always create attacking options.

There are 2 videos contained within this article; one relates to blocking hooks coming in to your right side, and the other video deals with blocking hooks coming in to the left hand side. I’ve decided to put these two videos into one article (not the usual format) because both are so complementary that it makes sense to join them up and provide a complete overview of blocking hooks up close. These blocks are a similar in principle to Knights of old using a shield as an integral part of their fighting approach, combining it with the sword in the same way that the boxer combines the block with devastating short and mid-range hooks and uppercuts!

Boxing tips on something like blocking punches during inside fighting are invaluable as they often are overlooked in favour of the more flashy skills. In my mind though, blocking punches in this manner perfectly defines the essence of boxing; standing up to withering incoming hooks and meeting fire with fire, always looking to create and attack openings. As if all of this wasn’t enough, each block is equally effective against punches directed at the head or at the body; dual purpose, simple and effective. Enjoy the videos but make sure that you read the mechanics and common faults below as there’s some additional information. As always leave your comments!

Defensive Inside Fighting – Protecting Your Right Side

Defensive Inside Fighting – Protecting Your Left Side

The Mechanics of Using Arm Blocks Against Hooks

The description here assumes an orthodox versus an orthodox.

Blocking Hooks on Your Right Side:

The arm that you put in the way of an incoming shot must be a firm, solid object as it has to withstand some big incoming shots. In order to provide this solidity, there must be drive from the back leg, the result of this drive being counter-clockwise rotation of the upper-body around the central (vertical) axis.
The right forearm remains in a broadly vertical position so that any incoming punch will strike the forearm, elbow or upper-arm.
The body ‘snaps’ back to the boxing stance.

Blocking Hooks on Your Left Side:

Unlike with blocking punches to your right side where the body rotates in a counter-clockwise direction, we do the opposite when blocking hooks arriving on our left-side.
Push from the front leg, rotating the body slightly in a clockwise direction.
The left arm remains vertical and virtually still, again with the incoming shot striking the forearm, elbow or upper arm. The rotation of the upper body has the effect of ‘hiding’ the body behind the arm and providing the strength to make the arm ‘solid.’
The body ‘snaps’ back to the starting position.

Common Faults When Blocking Hooks

Remember this! The arm when blocking to the right does not move independently of the body. The body rotates and the arm rotates with it. When blocking to the left though, the arm stays pretty much still and the upper body rotates to ‘hide’ behind it.
Curling up behind the arms like some kind of frightened sea creature! It is vital that you watch what’s coming your way and block it as well as looking to lead off with your own shots and counter. If you ain’t throwing punches, you ain’t gonna win the fight!

OK, below are a few shots that work well alongside the blocking defences described in this article:

Short Range Left hook

Short Range Right Hook

Short Range Left Uppercut

Short Range Right Uppercut

Hope this has proven helpful; be sure to leave a comment below!

Cheers

Fran

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Boxing Training for Fitness – Week 5

on October 27, 2010

Before we get started, my usual warning (although given the paucity of activity in this week’s post I’m not sure it’s entirely necessary!) If you are intending to undertake a fitness program (any fitness program including boxing training), it is vitally important that you visit a Doctor/Physician and get a full check. I have been around boxing for over 30 years and as such am in the position to undertake such activities from a higher level of effort. If I were coaching someone totally new to fitness, then we would start at a much more steady and sedate level than this! Go to a Doctor, get checked out and then think about undertaking any fitness regime once you have all the facts. This post describes what I am doing, I am not specifying what you should do! OK, that’s the formal bit over.

If you have not have not checked out my first post of this series, click on this link to look at Boxing Training for Fitness to go back to the very start and get the background. Alternatively, check out Boxing Training for Fitness – Week 4 to catch up with last week’s entry.

Boxing Training for Fitness – Week 5 Not In The Gym, But Out on the Road!

As mentioned last week, I am still recovering from a bit of a chest condition. This being said, I did manage to get out on a 5K run, albeit a run at a very steady pace (“It’s not a race”, as my teacher used to say.) As the weeks progress, I’m going to incorporate a weekly run into my regime. Any competing boxer quite simply cannot afford not to run. Long runs, short runs, sprints,interval runs, they are all vital to overall fitness. When watching an amateur boxing match, it’s always very easy to spot the boxer who has been foregoing their roadwork! Fighting fitness requires running (although I know a few Muay Thai guys who just don’t run; does this mean that a boxer’s fitness levels/recovery rates are superior to our ‘kicking friends?’

On the conclusion of my run, I also managed to put in a fairly respectable ‘abs’ session, involving leg raises and various crunches (amounting to about 180 individual exercises which will build up over time); I’ll detail these exercises in a later post.

This week means back to the gym :-)! Out of interest, I’ll post a recovery rate check next week so make sure you check back.

Cheers

Fran

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Counterpunching Parry – A Rare and Special Treat!

on October 19, 2010

About Counterpunching with the Outside Parry

I’m going to present here a defence to an incoming jab that is not used very often. I’m not sure why this rarity of use is the case as I have always found it a wonderful method for punishing a ‘telegraphed’ or lazy jab coming your way. When performed correctly (usually only by the most skilled of pugilists) this parry not only opens the door to counterpunching with your big right cross but also has a psychological impact on an opponent.

This parry is so intricate that if your opponent has their jab parried and then they eat a big right hand, they are going to be reluctant to throw another jab. Once an opponent stops throwing their jab, it’s a big step on the way to victory. Because of the way this parry prises open a defence, you could even parry and strike with the same hand in the same move! How ‘Mayweather-Cool’ would that be!!!!

All of this said, this is a more intricate defence than for instance the conventional counterpunching block of a jab or the counterpunching inside parry of a jab and consequently carries more risk. It should only be used when the opponent’s jab is slow or inadequate enough to deserve to be punished. The way I like to think of it is that this defence is more of a ‘passive’ type of defence.

The block and parry links above are much more assertive defences in that they are best used on the attack. In order to reduce the risks slightly on this method of parrying an incoming jab, then combining the move with a lay back may be a sensible option.

OK, watch the video then please leave any comments or questions below.

The Mechanics of Counterpunching With the Outside Parry

The description here assumes an orthodox versus an orthodox. It is the back hand (right hand) that parries the incoming jab.

The mechanics of using an outside parry against an incoming jab are:

Feel like I’m getting a bit repetitive here, but, all punches/body movements/feet movements/defensive actions begin life in the legs.
The first move is a push from the back foot. This push from the back foot provides the drive to rotate the hips and upper body in a counter-clockwise direction. This is a similar action to that which starts the right cross although the amount of rotation is much less for this defence.
The back hand (right hand) moves from the guard position, palm open, and loops over the top the opponent’s incoming jab.
The palm of your hand contacts the opponent’s wrist on the inside (the left as you look at it.)
The opponent’s jab should be pulled from your left to right. This has the effect of prising open the opponent’s guard and leaving them exposed to immediate assault!
After parrying the shot, the hand returns instantly to the ‘home’ position.

Common Faults When Counterpunching With the Outside Parry

The key faults that occur when a boxer attempts to defend against an opponent’s jab with the outside parry are:

As always with this type of defensive action, the main and most common fault is exaggerating the movement. This exaggeration may take place at any point during the move but is equally dangerous wherever it occurs. The top prize fighters are very economical and efficient animals. Unnecessary movement is very high risk!
The move becomes an ‘arm only’ action. If the initial drive is not provided by the back foot pushing (thereby rotating the upper body), then it is highly likely that the arm will not be strong enough to pull the incoming jab from left to right resulting in the opponent’s jab driving through your guard and straight into your face!
This is a counterpunching defence. A major mistake is to successfully parry the punch but not take advantage by throwing your own shot. Even more than this, this outside parry provides an opportunity for an immediate counterpunch not with your jab, but with your power right cross! Don’t waste the opportunity created by not unloading a power shot. Don’t forget, this parry may come off only once during a contest and it would be an awful waste to miss out!

Enjoy using this skill. Successfully parrying an opponent’s punch really will open the door for top class counterpunching. For a bit of fun, try during sparring to follow the outside parry with the right cross (Mayweather-style!) Be aware though, it really is not an easy counterpunching attack to pull off!

As always, leave a comment below.

Cheers

Fran

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Boxing Training for Fitness – Week 4

on October 19, 2010

Before we get started, my usual warning. If you are intending to undertake a fitness program (any fitness program including boxing training), it is vitally important that you visit a Doctor/Physician and get a full check. I have been around boxing for over 30 years and as such am in the position to undertake such activities from a higher level of effort. If I were coaching someone totally new to fitness, then we would start at a much more steady and sedate level than this! Go to a Doctor, get checked out and then think about undertaking any fitness regime once you have all the facts. This post describes what I am doing, I am not specifying what you should do! OK, that’s the formal bit over.

Boxing Training for Fitness – Week 4 Not In The Gym!

Very, very disappointing week! I have been unable to undertake any boxing training this week due to a cough/cold (man flu to the female followers of the site!) It’s the change of season as we amble into Autumn here in the UK. There has been a noticeable drop in the air temperature and I’m not alone in coming down with the snuffles! The worst thing I could do would be to carry on regardless and go hammering through gym routines or roadwork. The fact that I have a cold means that my immune system is not operating at top level. By ‘imagining’ that I’m 100% and hitting the gym hard there is a real possibility that I’m likely to promote the on-set a more serious condition (chest infection, pleurisy, pneumonia…you get the point!)

If you are unwell, take a rest. Obviously a competing athlete has a more complex decision to make, but in an ideal world you take the rest!

It’s Tuesday today and I’m feeling much better with my chest having cleared up well. I’m aiming to go out and do a 5K run tomorrow to try and make up for the missing week (although it’s unlikely that missing a week will have a massively negative impact.) I’ll post next week with any progress made!

Cheers

Fran

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