If you’re a taller boxer there are plenty of tall fighters in boxing’s rich history for you to study in order to improve your technique, strategy and style. In this article we will focus on 5 who we think are great examples of fighting tall. The top five to make our list are:
- Thomas Hearns
- Tyson Fury
- Larry Holmes
- Diego Corrales
- Paul Williams
Looking for inspiration? Read on: we will now review the highlights of each of these boxers and how they utilized their skills in the ring.
- Thomas Hearns
Thomas Hearns is a key example of one to watch if you are on the hunt for inspiration from taller fighters. Famous for his renowned one-two, Hearns’s right hand jab is legendary, and was responsible for his success in a huge number of games. Hearns did not, however, coast solely on a single skill; he fingered out his strengths, and turned them to his advantage until they eclipsed any weaknesses.
A key weapon in his arsenal was arguably a hidden cross; by delaying the retraction of his hand until the last minute, he was able to obscure his competitors vision and keep the cross concealed until it was too late. Not only did this utilize the power of his lead hand, but it also turned his weaker hand into a devastating secret weapon. His preferred technique was to control the opponents head from the outside, using his height as an advantage to put pressure on the neck of the enemy, leaving them unbalanced.
Power was also a key aspect in Hearns’s play; any blow sent the power down to the floor, bypassing the opponents guard and shortening the arc to increase the force and follow through of the move, increasing the momentum even at close range, allowing him to get the better of the shorter opponent. This power was achieved by pulling back a hand, and suddenly sharply turning the elbow up at the final second, altering the trajectory of the blow. Combined with aggressive footwork, this combination allowed Hearns to maximise the impact of his powerful right hand, and use his height to his full advantage.
- Tyson Fury
Best known for his defensive style, there is no denying that Fury’s reach – at an impressive 85 inches – is one of the major assets in his favour. Not only does this allow him to land more accurate blows with relative ease, but it also makes him tougher to touch, especially for average sized fighters. One of his major advantages is, however, his agility – despite measuring in as a heavyweight, he moves like a middleweight, and this can often throw opponents off their game. With agile footwork and a great sense of balance, Fury is in complete control of his bodyweight with every move, giving him the advantage and opportunity to weave and move before a blow has a chance to land.
Flexibility is another strength often displayed by Fury; he is a fighter just as comfortable on the inside as the outside, and has the ability to switch between the two with minimal fuss. He is also extremely versatile, being ready to switch style and moves at a moments notice – this is key in keeping opponents unbalanced and forced to go on the defensive, allowing Fury to deliver the killer blow. When it comes to ring IQ, he also has a strong reputation as the one to beat; a fighter smarter often allows him to gain the edge, even against a more powerful puncher.
- Larry Holmes
Incredible jabs and formidable punching power have long defined the career of Larry Holmes, and his taller stance helped him to gain authority in both these areas. In addition to throwing an enormous amount of power behind each jab, Holmes also had the deadly accuracy and complete control to ensure that each and every blow was made to count; this ensured that there was no energy wasted with a swing and a miss.
Unlike a number of taller fighters who primarily use a jab as a range finder, Holmes was focused on hitting the mark with every punch, wasting no time and forcing his opponent to remain on the defensive until victory was assured. Once the fight was decided, Holmes would use his incredible punches in a deadly combo to put his opponents firmly on the ropes.
- Diego Corrales
Corrales has a reputation as one of the pound for pound hardest punchers in the boxing world, and this is a skill he was more than happy to use to his advantage. His taller size helped to put power behind each punch, while a generous reach offered a significant advantage against shorter fighters. His style was aggressive and powerful, with a focus on using his significant height to close the gap on an opponent and finishing off the fight with a serious right hook.
Perhaps one of the best lessons we can learn from Corrales is the power of perseverance. This is a fighter who emerged victorious despite incredible odds, and who simply refused to lie down and admit defeat, proving that sometimes a win is as much about mindset as movement in the ring.
- Paul Williams
When it comes to signature moves, Paul Williams is best known for delivering impressive hooks and uppercuts on the inside. His versatility is often touted as one of his major strengths; Williams was known for continually switching up angles and changing direction, forcing his opponents onto the back foot both literally and figuratively. He is also known for being far less risk averse than more cautious fighters, and this seemed to offer a confidence and unpredictability which is intimidating to opponents.
Williams is often criticised for his lack of guard, resulting in him remaining wide open and at the mercy of his competitor. This is a valid discussion, and one which is important for taller fighters looking to learn a lesson from the pros; Williams’ open stance has often been detrimental, and at the source of many of the losses he suffered in the ring. As a taller fighter, you are at the mercy of the speed and agility of a shorter fighter, so this is a great chance to learn from Williams’ mistake, and make sure you protect yourself from the jabs of shorter fighters.
There is a misconception that an increased height makes it tougher for tall boxers to succeed, but the examples above prove that this does not have to be the case. Learning how to use your height to your full advantage is the key here; taller fighters often benefit from a longer reach, increased bodyweight, and the ability to apply higher levels of pressure to opponents. Through studying the fighters discussed above, there are a few key lessons which are extremely valuable for taller fighters.
- Make the most of jabs
Taller fighters typically benefit from a longer reach – but this is useless if you do not use it properly. While it can be tempting to retain your jabs for range finding, heading in with a short, fast jab can be unexpected when coming from a taller fighter – this could be enough of a shock to allow you to gain a significant advantage over your opponent. The hidden cross favoured by Hearns can be a real game changer here; it allows you to gain the upper hand and the element of surprise, which could be the difference between victory or loss. In essence; learn what people expect from taller fighters, and keep them on their toes (literally!) by offering the opposite.
- Neutralise your opponent
A key player missing from our list above is Lennox Lewis; a boxer with a real knack for neutralising his opponents by taking away their basic bread and butter. Most fighters will have a preferred or signature move – getting to understand this as early as possible allows you to put the steps in place to neutralise it, allowing you to eliminate any disadvantage which may have been obtained by your height.
- Make it count
One of the major disadvantages often faced by taller fighters is the energy wasted if your blow does not hit its mark. Due to an increased height, a missed punch can force you to follow through with the swing, offsetting your balance in a way which could be disastrous. Be sure to channel Holmes in making sure that each and every blow meets its mark, and that it is designed to count.
- Don’t neglect footwork
Tyson Fury is a prime example of how clever footwork can help you gain that winning edge, and it is a skill often overlooked by taller fighters. This not only helps you to move more quickly, but it also offers a chance to gain better control over your bodyweight, meaning you are less likely to come off balance if your opponent gains an unexpected win. By forcing the competitor onto the backfoot, you can take full advantage of any opening and use your power to follow through with a killer blow.