DOC’S CORNER — Issue #1
Devin Haney sticking and moving against Jose Ramirez.
DOC’S PROGNOSIS
Footwork Isn’t Movement — It’s Space Control
A lot of fans think footwork means “how fast a fighter moves around the ring.” Which in turn, will make them HATE certain fighters’ style, due to a misDIAGNOSIS.
This is the source of the average fan’s confusion, which will lead to an overall lack of appreciation for the sport of BOXING. That’s my PROGNOSIS. This is where TREATMENT begins! Doc discusses.
Good footwork isn’t about being busy.
Good footwork is about being in the right place at the right time — while making your opponent feel like they’re in the wrong place EVERY TIME.
Footwork is:
Controlling distance
Controlling angles
Controlling where the fight happens
Like it or not, this is what Devin Haney ACCOMPLISHED against Jose Carlos Ramirez, and did so FLAWLESSLY. He out-landed him, outmaneuvered him, and outsmarted him to a victory that looked like all he did was RUN.
Movement can be wasted.
But space control is intentional.
That’s why a fighter can look like they’re “not doing much” yet dominating the ring.
Pernell Whitaker - Footwork Guru
Dmitry Bivol - Master of Footwork
RING IQ EXAMPLE
Look at Shakur Stevenson, Oleksandr Usyk, or Guillermo Rigondeaux at their best.
They’re not sprinting around the ring.
They’re:
Taking half-steps
Resetting the angle
Leading the dance without throwing
Making the other guy react first
The fight becomes: “You follow. I lead.”
Oleksandr Usyk punching Daniel Dubois while he was squared up, out of position.
And once you make a fighter follow you,
you already took their balance.
And if you take their balance?
You take their power.
FIGHT TO WATCH THIS WEEK
When you watch any fight this weekend — pick one thing:
Don’t watch the punches.
Watch the feet.
Ask:
Who is stepping second?
Who is reacting instead of initiating?
Who is controlling when the exchanges start and stop?
You’ll start to see a completely different fight. It will be the DETERMING FACTOR for Jack Catterall if he is to beat Ekow Essuman on the undercard of the rematch between Chris Eubank and Conor Benn.
Eubank-Benn II Fight Card
FROM THE GYM
Something my coaches would say all of the time:
“Control your feet, control the fight.”
“Control your breath, control yourself.”
Everything else flows from that.
Terence Crawford and Shakur Stevenson after sparring.
Vasyl Lomachenko training.
CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO ON HOW MISEDUCATION DISRESPECTS THE SPORT!
I did a breakdown on this exact concept on the Doctor Boxing Talk channel —
Watch here: https://youtu.be/5_AJUcb8rPA
Click the picture or copy and paste above link into your browser!
DOC’S DIAGNOSIS
Every sport has highlights, boxing’s highlights often come in the form of VICIOUS KNOCKOUTS, but what about…
The Flow
The Elegance
The Ring Generalship
All of these things help fighters dominate like Muhammad Ali, Willie Pep, Floyd Mayweather, and other ALL TIME GREATS.
Boxing is a dance, watch to see who takes the lead! This will be the KEY to victory for Devin Haney in his upcoming battle with WBO Welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr.
…but how will Norman win? We’ll cover THAT in the next issue!
We don’t have to like every style, but acknowledging the intricacies and respecting the science that goes into each boxing style serves to educate and preserve the sport that WE ALL LOVE!
Thanks for being part of the first issue.
Real boxing talk.
Real fight IQ.
The Doctor’s In Your Corner.
— Doc 💥🥊
Doctor Boxing Talk
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