Most sluggers lack mobility in the ring and may have difficulty pursuing fighters who are fast on their feet but that is not always the case. They apply subtle defensive movements, such as slipping and minimal ducking to reduce the damage they take in punching zones. At the same time, they tend to be the masters of defensive movement in the danger zone of being punched. When it comes to defense, they make use of grappling techniques to smother their opponents and leave them vulnerable for power-punches. Some have the ability to corner their opponents to ensure that the latter ones fall prey to their devastating punches. The most elite brawlers can punch with power from every angle. Offensively, they possess the best balance and knockout capabilities due to their tendency to plant their feet on the ground while fighting. If the out-boxer represents everything elegant about boxing, the slugger (brawler, puncher) embodies everything brutal about the sport. The result may end up with the out-boxer out-landing and winning via decision or getting a knock out after exhausting their opponents and finishing them with accurate blows Their swiftness and mobility ensure that their opponents can’t land effective blows, especially since out-boxers rarely make risky moves, like fighting from the inside where it’s the most dangerous. Out-boxers prefer to fight in mid to long-range where they can lure their opponents and frustrate them with counters and accurate long-range blows. Since they rely on the weaker jabs and straights (as opposed to hooks and uppercuts), they tend to win by points decisions rather than by knockout, although some out-boxers can be aggressive and effective punchers. Out-boxers are known for being extremely quick on their feet, which often makes up for a lack of power. The out-boxer seeks to maintain a gap from their opponent and fight with faster, longer range punches. The out-boxer (out-fighter, boxer) is the opposite of the swarmer. Bobo Olson was the first known champion to use this as a defense.Ĭommonly known Peek-A-Boo fighters include: Since it is a defense designed for close range fighting, it is mainly used by in-fighters. Also it allows swift neck movements as well quick duckings and bad returning damage, usually by rising uppercuts or even rising hooks. 3-2-3-Body-head-body or 3-3-2 Body-Body-head is drilled with the stationary dummy and on the bag until the fighter is able to punch by rapid combinations with what D'Amato called "bad intentions." The theory behind the style is that when combined with effective bobbing and weaving head movement, the fighter has a very strong defense and becomes more elusive, able to throw hooks and uppercuts with great effectiveness. Other unique features includes side to side head movements, bobbing, weaving and blind siding your opponent. Peek‐a‐Boo boxing utilizes relaxed hands with the forearms in front of the face and the fist at nose‐eye level. Peek-a-Boo boxing was developed by legendary trainer Cus D'Amato. It offers extra protection to the face and makes it easier to jab the opponent's face. Peek-a-Boo - a defense style often used by a fighter where the hands are placed in front of the boxer's face, like in the babies' game of the same name. Many swarmers are often either shorter fighters or fighters with shorter reaches, especially in the heavier classes, that have to get in close to be effective. They also tend to have a good " chin" because this style usually involves being hit with many jabs before they can maneuver inside where they are more effective. They tend to be fast on their feet which can make them difficult to evade for a slower fighter or are great at cutting off the ring with precise footwork. This style favors closing inside an opponent, overwhelming them with intensity and flurries of hooks and uppercuts in mid-range or turning it into an inside battle where they pummel their opponents from close-range. Good power, a good chin, and a tremendous punch output are required, resulting in a great need for stamina and conditioning. Swarmers tend to have very good head movement in order to get inside. The swarmer (in-fighter, crowder, or pressure-fighter) is a fighter who attempts to overwhelm his opponent by applying constant pressure-taking away an opponent's usually superior reach. Many boxers do not always fit into these categories, and it is not uncommon for a fighter to change their style over a period of time.
These are the swarmer, out-boxer, slugger, and boxer-puncher. There are four generally accepted boxing styles that are used to define fighters.