In no other sport is that statement more true than when it pertains to boxing.
When referring to the art of controlled pugilism, also known as the sweet-science, there exists a popular brawling style known as 'pressure fighting.'
It's a style and technique that is just as dangerous defensively as it is offensively thrilling. Which makes it a favorite among fans.
Perhaps the greatest example of a highly successful pressure fighter is the legendary former heavyweight champion “Iron” Mike Tyson.
Tyson was trained—by the great Cus D'Amato—to use pressure fighting tactics while also employing his now signature 'peek-a-boo' style of defense.
Tyson was trained—by the great Cus D'Amato—to use pressure fighting tactics while also employing his now signature 'peek-a-boo' style of defense.
This style employs a lot of vertical (up and down) and horizontal (side to side) head movements, along with the fighter's gloves being held abnormally high..resembling earmuffs.
Tyson's body would be almost in a crouch-position, shoulders-squared, as he continued to inch forward..then, when eventually coming withing striking range, Tyson would launch his deadly left and right hooks to the opponent's body and head, game over.
Needless to say, this style was highly effective.
Needless to say, this style was highly effective.
'Iron Mike' was only 5-feet 11-inches, and 220-pounds—but when he used his short tree-trunk-sized legs, which were similar to twin-turbine power-generators, he was then able to fuel some of history's most concussive knock-out performances.
If we were to peruse the long and illustrious history of boxing, we would find many great pressure fighters with similar styles—but none quite as effective as Tyson's.
Many pressure fighters would be thwarted by defensive specialists with great lateral footwork, and uppercuts along the ropes, as well as lightning-like jabs.
Coming to mind are fighters such as Sonny Liston, Floyd Patterson, Joe Frazier, and big George Foreman, who were famous pressure-style brawlers who came straight at their opponents looking to impose their will, and get an illusive crowd-thrilling KO.
Yet sadly, all four of these great pugilists mentioned above were beaten by a defensive master named Muhammad Ali.
Ali—who's also the inventor of a style known as 'rope-a-dope' would essentially allow his pressure-fighting opponents to come forward, chase him, and wing their wild punches at nothing but air.
The only thing this would accomplish against Ali, would be to tire the opponents to the point where 'The Greatest' Ali, could then 'move in for the kill' and finish them off for good.
Another slick defensive boxer named Gene Tunney also had the perfect style to negate the continuous onslaught of the great "pressure fighter."
With Tunney’s intelligent defensive style, he was able to emerge victorious against the greatest pressure fighter of all time: Jack Dempsey.
Tunney studied Dempsey from the opening bell, and by employing constant lateral movement while boxing behind a good solid left jab, he frustrated, confused, and pummeled the great Dempsey en route to an historic beat down.
Check out the video below for epic footage of boxing's greatest pressure fighters.
Follow me on Twitter @cagestokerblog.
“Outside in the distance a wildcat did growl, two riders were approaching, and the wind began to howl.” —Bob Dylan, All Along The Watchtower.
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Rocky Marciano vs Jersey Joe Walcott II Highlights from Iron Tape Productions on Vimeo.
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