Mugging the Boxa

A historic event for Australian boxing took place last nite when Anthony Mundine 40-3 (ko 24) fought contender winner Garth Wood 9-1 (ko 5). Mundine was knocked out by the under dog after a rough 5 rounds, more than likely ending his reign as Australia's premier boxing talent. Despite being a shock to those who follow the records, stylistically it is not such an upset despite Garth lack of boxing experience. Boxing is much like the game of paper scissors rock, where no pure style wins exclusively. The boxer: Relies on speed coordination split second timing and most importantly room to out class his opponent. The Slugger: Who relies on his punch eventually landing and doing more damage than he takes. And the Swarmer: Who relies on pressure and intensity to overwhelm and intimidate his opponent.

Traditionally the boxer beats the slugger to the punch and moves away before taking the counters, the slugger  with physical strength and punishing power turns back the swarming fighter who must always come forward taking punches to apply pressure, and the swarmer who eventually runs through the boxer giving them neither the space or time to apply their setups and style.
The latter is exactly what happened to Mundine last nite, with out the physical strength or scary punishment power he was pushed pulled and twisted out of position and worn down eventually leading to a punch he did not see while he was curled in an odd angle completely out fighting position. What could Mundine have done different? Nothing. He could not get things done out of range due to the reach, was not physical enough to keep his posture or remain in a punching position and he could not move away as he did with Green due to the wild pressure. Evander Holyfield corner summed it up on his stool after the first round of the his fight with Mike Tyson. "Hes not the bully.... you're the Bully". The way to fight pressure is with pressure, the determination of the protagonist must be met and curbed, you must always be in a position to punch and push back and be physical, if not be prepared to be run through.