The great Floyd Mayweather recently stated that he is the best counter punching boxer in the history of the sport. Counter punching aside (just for a moment), I actually believe that Floyd is one of the greatest boxers in history. I won’t go into the reasons for my opinion here, but because I feel that he’s one of the greatest boxers in history this means that by definition he is one of the greatest at counter punching.
In this article I want to explore what counter punching is and how it fits in with boxing. I also want to give 6 tips that will help you to exploit a range of tactics, skills and approaches to become an elite counter punching boxer.
Here is a video and then I have structured the following article to match what I cover in the video:
So What is Counter Punching?
The Oxford English dictionary gives the following definition of counter punching:
Counter punching (noun) – Giving a punch for one received.
Now, I for one am not particularly comfortable using this definition. The main reason that I am reluctant to describe counter punching in such a way is that all of us involved in MyBoxingCoach don’t set ourselves up for the kind of style that requires taking a punch to land one. Boxing being the art of self-defence I would much prefer for boxers that I work with to appreciate the importance of effective defence.
There is another problem that I have with the OED definition of counter punching. This issue is a little more subtle, and in fact may be a little controversial. It’s this. Counter punching does not require an incoming punch to qualify as counter punching. Counter punching requires only that your opponent do something. It might be a punch but it might equally be some other kind of action, a hand block for instance, or a duck. This will become clearer as you read on, so try not to assume that I’ve gone slightly mad just yet.
There are any number of sources on the Internet that describe how to become a proficient exponent of the art of counter punching, and this is fine. But, after all of these many years of being a boxing coach I still struggle to properly distinguish between counter punching and, well, boxing. You see for me there is only one type of boxing that doesn’t use counter punching as a fundamental element, and this is the previously described ‘take one to land one’ scenario. Great boxing is great counter punching and great counter punching is great boxing.
Not that I don’t respect the great institution that is the Oxford English Dictionary, but I am proposing a MyBoxingCoach definition for the term counter punching:
Counter punching (noun) – Landing a punch in response to an action or reaction of an opponent.
Now that I’ve provided a slightly alternative view of counter punching it’s time to look at the 6 tips that I think will help you to really improve your boxing and by definition your counter punching.
6 Tips to Master Counter Punching
1. Make your jab be the best it can possibly be.
We all know the importance of your jab. Range finding, setting up combinations, controlling your space and ultimately breaking your opponent apart. Add to this list the foundation for any range of counter punching techniques. Check out the jab of Wladimir Klitschko to get a demonstration of hammering home that jab so as to make the opponent react. This reaction is then punished.
2. Don’t wait to see what happens, make something happen!
A popular misconception regarding counter punching is that it involves waiting for the opponent to do something so that we can ‘counter’ it. 90% of counter punching exchanges are initiated by the counter puncher. How is this done? A mix of punching (see tip 1) and more often feinting. Brilliance in counter punching requires a thorough understanding of feinting techniques. A great place to start (aside from the article on Feinting in Boxing) is looking at the Roberto Duran Boxing Style Analysis article and checking out his use of the jab to establish counter punching onslaughts.
3. Build pre-set counter punching passages
Drills are incredibly important in any sport, and in boxing they are even more so. If you have taken the opportunity of signing up for the free mobility drills on the site, or indeed becoming a member of the Boxing Training Foundation, then you will know how much importance I place on drills.
The fact is that certain passages of boxing work very well together. For instance, a left hook to the body will create an opening to the head. The threat of a right uppercut may lift the head perfectly for a destructive short range left hook. So, it is very much worth constructing and practising these passages in gym time. You can start off with a couple of simple combinations. The possibilities are limitless:
Counter punching and side stepping
4. Identify patterns in the opponent’s responses
Set passages and combinations are great. But, this doesn’t mean that you should not study your opponent as you fight. Becoming skilled at spotting flaws takes time but real benefits can be gained quickly. For example, if your opponent brings their hand quite far forward when blocking your jab, this means that at the very moment that the block is taking place they are open to a left hook. It may be repetitive straight line movement, predictable attack methods or defensive frailties on the inside. All of these can be picked up and used in your counter punching strategy.
5. Adapt your counter punching to suit the opponent
This is really about whether you are counter punching on the front foot (going forward and attacking the opponent) or counter punching on the back foot. Most people consider counter punching to be a defensive type of boxing, but again it is not as straightforward as that.
Would you for instance consider Mike Tyson to be a counter punching specialist? Well, he absolutely was. All that jabbing and slipping combined with explosive foot movements and even more explosive punching was counter punching at it’s very best. Tyson never had height or reach over his opponents, so it would have been pointless trying to counter on the retreat. He adapted his boxing (and therefore counter punching) style to suit his opponents.
Not to be too simplistic, but a good general rule of thumb is that if you are facing a taller opponent then you are likely to reap more benefits from an attacking counter punching style. If you are facing a shorter opponent then you are more likely to benefit from a more conservative holding ground/retreating counter punching style.
6. Learn your hand defences and learn them well!
The 6th and final tip is in many ways the most important; make sure that all of your blocks and parries are perfectly executed. An opponent is most vulnerable when they punch. Furthermore, when you block a particular shot, the movements you have undertaken are supportive of your own follow up shot. So, if you block an incoming hook to the right side of your body, you store lots of leverage to unleash your own short range left hook.
Blocking your opponent’s jab means that you are in perfect range to land your own jab. So, a golden rule is when you block or parry, always, always throw your own shot. If you don’t then it’s an opportunity missed, and champs don’t miss opportunities.
And that’s it, a MyBoxingCoach view on counter punching. I have for the sake of this article drawn out the principle of ‘counter punching’, but I remain firmly fixed on the fact that the vast majority of boxers use counter punching extensively and don’t really think of it as counter punching as such. It’s just good boxing, plain and simple.
Let me have your thoughts below.
Cheers
Fran
by 
Hi Fran, great article!!
Can I ask please if good boxing and counter punching are generally the same thing, how come some boxers are talked of as being a ‘counterpuncher’ as their style eg Canelo, Mikey Garcia etc. Canelo to be can do it all but he mostly seems to be talked of as a counterpuncher. Why would you say this is please? Thanks
Wow
What a question.
AS you can tell from the article, you can tell tat I struggle with that question. I think that ultimately people like to pigeon-hole boxers, makes it easier for pundits. To me, people like Alvarez and Garcia will lead off as often as anything, often using it as a set up for counterpunching. So, the implication I guess is that counterpunchers wait…which by and large they don’t. Doesn’t feel like a great answer, but at the moment it’s the best I have 🙂
Thanks Fran! I’m glad I’m not the only one this slightly puzzles but your explanation makes a lot of sense about pundits wanting to pigeonhole. I guess because of that I’m expecting eg Canelo to constantly look to counter/to wait, where as in reality he’s much more versatile and will lead, jab and move etc. Thanks again!!
Well I’m glad it’s helped out mate. Pigeon-holing is a frustration of mine – the top guys are massively versatile and that’s the point 👍
Dear Frank ,
a few words to thank and congratulate your excellent and inspiring work. I am a fan in the Art of Boxing and an Olympic coach for another combat sport ,and your work inspires me both in the content and structure. I hope to be successful in the coming Tokyo Olympics with my fighters and if so I will reflect your excellent work to the combat sport world. Thank You and congratulations !
Philip
Thank you so much, when a fellow coach gives that kind of feedback it really matters. I’m genuinely grateful.
What an amazing thing for you to have achieved in your chosen discipline – Olympic status – outstanding sir.
I’m assuming maybe Taekwondo? Or maybe Greco-Roman wrestling?
It matters not, I can appreciate the level of consistent work and commitment it has taken to achieve what you have.
When Tokyo comes around, I will be raising a glass to you sir!
Hello Fran,
Again some excellent insights on the sweet science.
I really like the drills shown in the video, I will use them in my boxing class.
As for the defenition of counter punching, I would forward it
to OED editors. It is definitely more to the point. I guess they appreciate your comments.
Keep sending the good stuff,
Cheers
Frank
🙂
Thanks Frank, glad you gain value from this stuff and you are able to make it work for your students. I’ll get onto those OED editors! 🙂
Fran, you never cease to impress – what fine pointers! “…the vast majority of boxers like to give a punch without having to receive a punch…” 😀 made my day! I’m watching your video in between patients right now, and I’m sure to be cheery when the next practice member comes in! Thanks for the continued excellent content (with clear examples!) and material for thought. Cheers! 🙂
Hey Marco
Thank you for you comments, really thought-provoking. Interestingly, as the vertically-challenged sort myself I used to do really well reach-wise against taller opponents. Much of this may have been down to good-positioning and indeed making my shortness a positive. This being said, I’m pretty sure I had a deceptively long reach.
Great comment Marco and I’m really glad that you continue to be engaged and encouraged by my coaching materials.
Hi Fran I run a amateur boxing club in Marlborough we are a fresh club only been open for just a year and have been looking at your videos on and off for some while, you are a very knowledgeable guy and I am looking forward to getting your course .thanks Darren.
Brilliant. Good luck with the boxing club mate. It’s hard work (as you no doubt know) but the rewards are brilliant. Any help I can offer I will try my best to mate, just let me know.
Thanks for getting in touch Darren
Hi Fran, that is a very good definition, and instruction, as usual. thanks.
Only thing I might add, as an extension, is the term ‘counter manoeuvre’ just to tease out that total aspect of counter move. That is, the other moves, then you move appropriately, to keep the initiative. Ie, corner, turn, draw, put off balance. Then of course the counter punch, or counter, counter punch. boom-boom.
That of course, holds the answer to that question raised of how to fight a ‘south paw’. You keep turning over their lead. cheers.
Good points Alexander. Ring craft or ring generalship we might also call it. Very helpful, thanks.
Great video fran , really enjoyed it, and it was nice to see you going through some examples at the end of block and returning shots, keep up the good work mate.
Cheers Mark
Really enjoyed the video. Helps me learn.
For me, it still comes down to drilling footwork for position and looking to offset/unbalance the oponent. I find that a lot of people just wanna hit and so forget about stance and balance. Using feints and counters is another ploy to draw out their mistakes, a great tactic to stress the opponent and drain their energy.
It’s really mentally tiring against someone who feints and keeps you out of position. Which I guess is why I need to practice this stuff!
Excellent again Fran, thanks.
Excellent observation James about the stress thing – it is exhausting dealing with a top feinter…pressure, pressure, pressure!!!
Very nice explanation, simple, clear and focused on fundamentals, the base of good boxing.
That you keep insisting on those shows that you don’t let your ego get in the way of what truly works, and will keep working for ages to come (unless we mutate a third arm or something like that).
Thanks Fran
Indeed, the basics continually work. Thanks
Hi Fran
Really enjoyed the article and video. You talk total sense
Thanks
Pete
Thanks Pete, glad it hangs together for you.
Hi Fran,
You wrote: “Not to be too simplistic, but a good general rule of thumb is that if you are facing a taller opponent then you are likely to reap more benefits from an attacking counter punching style. If you are facing a shorter opponent then you are more likely to benefit from a more conservative holding ground/retreating counter punching style.”
Am I wrong to associate the attacking style you mention with more in-fighting, and the conservative style with more trying to keep distance? And is this rule of thumb based on the idea that the taller boxer is likely to often have a reach advantage? What if it happens that reach and height don’t correlate? I ask because in the W. Klitschko v. Rahman fight, Kilitschko was significantly taller, but the announcer said that Rahman still had the longer reach. Even so, it seemed that Klitschko was doing great avoiding in-fighting (still having the more attacking style), despite having the reach disadvantage. Which do you think should generally be more important in affecting what style one should use, height or reach? And why do you think Rahman’s reach advantage seemed to be such a non-factor with regard to Klitschko being comfortable keeping his distance?
Hey Mark. Thanks for the really insightful and thought-provoking question. I will try to answer as best I can.
The attacking style is not strictly in-fighting because if your opponent has a longer reach then you need not necessarily take it to close range to do the damage. In fact, you could probably do most of your damage on the way in, at long and mid range. It’s about neutralising the reach advantage by prompting your opponent to throw a punch (known as ‘drawing the lead’ or triggering the opponent) by using feints and/or punching. Once the opponent throws the shot and you know it’s coming, the reach advantage is pretty much irrelevant.
I would guess that there is generally a correlation between height and reach (Anatomists feel free to correct me here), but there are exceptions. Recently Guillermo Rigondeaux, although giving height away to Nonito Donaire, was adamant that he had a greater reach. However, for me it was Rigondeaux’s beautiful understanding of range that really counts. His precise position in relation to his opponent allowed him to cancel out the (supposed) reach advantage with great skill.
For me, it’s not about reach, it’s about a) perception of range and b) brilliant footwork. Think about it. Generally speaking, any reach advantage is going to be maybe 3-6 inches. That’s about half the length of a human foot. Judgement of range and precise and explosive foot movements can more than make up for that. Wladimir is more than capable of that.
Thanks again for the question Mark, I hope that my response has helped.
Cheers Mark.
Hi Fran,
Yes, you’re spot on – there is a general correlation between height and reach (think of DaVinci’s famed drawing of a gent within a circle within a square representing “norm” / “ideal” ratios) yet if as a coach one begins to measure his athletes’ arm span (and compare it to their height) one will likely find quite a bit of discrepancy. Our youngest son (aged 13) has a good 2 3/4″ of difference between his total arm span and his height! Yes, it is increasingly difficult to not get caught by that reach. 😉 Personally, what I have experienced is that most taller fellows end up neutralizing their own reach by standing “too tall” cf (compared to) their opponents – think of a right triangle, the hypotenuse being their “jab.” If they were on a level with their target, they might punch “through” it! (VS missing or just grazing). However, shorter players (such as myself) often make the same mistake. I am grateful to my first boxing coach (Msr. Robert Parham) who kept shouting “Too tall, Marco! Too tall!” at me until it began to sink in… (Decades later, Ha ha) Peace! 🙂
you are too good
Thank you, very flattering.
hey fran great article as usual!!what about counterpunching for southpaws?what are your thoughts about the best “weapons” to counterpunch has a left handed?
Best regards
Goncalo
Hi Goncalo
Good question. The lead hand blocks and parries, combined with pivots and lead hand hooks are always good for southpaws. There are videos on all of these skill elements on the site, the job is to combine them effectively. Thanks for the comment!
Gud stuff mate liked the way u put that iv started a boxing club and have trouble with big lads, so I need 2 work on counter punching on the front foot Nd exploding in Tyson style ha cheers wot wud u say 2 be the best way 2 learn kids countering my 7 year old is starting boxing wen he’s 8 he doz tkd Nd panics when punches start cumin 2 him I’m trying 2 learn him how 2 slip duck parry but wen he spars it goz out the window and he drops his hands? Eny thing wot I cud drill with himself cheers
Learning, understanding and honing all the technical aspects and expending yourself on your fitness workouts a person learning to box becomes a more technical boxer when he/she starts to gain the craft of being able to “act before you see it and see it before you act”. I say this to my young son who’s just starting out (about a year and 6months now). He’s starting to understand and it shows in his boxing and he’s just scratching the surface!!!
Lovely article we have here Fran… it’s just old time boxing lessons coming back to teach our young boxers of today!
Cheers again coach, Dave ;o)
Good stuff Dave. Experience is such a telling factor exactly in order to “act before you see it and see it before you act”. It always heartens me when I see the rate that boxers learn as they spar and take part in competition. I’m sure that you’ll see that come to the fore with your son. The more involvement he has tackling other boxers the better he will get. Success is definitely a ‘long game’ in the vast majority of cases. Keep them happily learning and they will continue to want to be around the sport.
Great comment. Thanks Dave
Good article Fran, I agree with you on the definition of counter punching.
Thanks Mo.
Floyd Pretty Boy Money Mayweather is no doubt a great talent and he cashed on it big time, turning his life into a reality show. Here is an example of his counter punching vs. a worthy opponent at 2.20:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MdwkND3ksE
You have expanded (or supplemented) the concept of counter punching and I would try to simplify it by outlining two main types: passive (reactive) – when you react to actions initiated by the opponent and active (proactive) – when you guide the opponent to a certain action/reaction and take advantage of it. I am sure there are subtle borderlines and inter relations that make it all into one with the whole game.
Here is an example of the active type when Tyson countered Bone-crusher Smith’s sense of humor at 35.09:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOZCO3SRmE0
Good Floyd clip there Ivan. That kind of hand speed and movement speed certainly helps the counter punching process doesn’t it 🙂
That lay back/right cross is a great move, real classy scoring shot. And a good simplification if you don’t mind me saying.
I take my definition of counterpunching from my coach Harry Black, who was apparently known for his particular skill in this area during his years in the fight game. He would say that the raw beginner is (usually) only interested in offense. They want to throw the punch and hit the opponent without any real thought about what is coming back. The next stage is to develop a defensive side to the game, so that you have two weapons in your arsenal – the ability to hit, and the ability to avoid the hit. When watching these guys box you will notice that they are switching from one to the other – defense – offense – defense – offense. He labels the last stage of fighter development ‘the counterpuncher’. The counterpuncher is one who seamlessly blends defense with offense into one continuum. It’s funny that when he talks about this he’ll often bring his hands together and interlaces his fingers in a gesture that represents what he’s talking about. I have a nice video of him explaining the concept. I wish I could upload and share.
To me, what defines the counterpuncher is the opening. Openings come in two varieties, bad technique and offense. Everyone has the occasional slip-up with technique which leaves them open for attack, everyone has heard their corner shout ‘hands up!!!!’. The offensive fighter is one who takes advantage of these openings as the opponent allows them to appear, or he creates the opening with his own attack.
In contrast, the counterpuncher, to my mind, takes advantage of the other type of opening, namely, the one which is 100% guaranteed to be there when the opponent launches an attack AT YOU. Every time you punch you have created a hole in your defense. Knowing where to find that opening is a question of instinct and timing. For me, a good counterpunch is one that lands flush on his chin at the same time that his sails harmlessly over my shoulder.
Karl
As usual, Harry has a very elegant way of describing the development of the perfect fighting machine. And indeed it’s reassuring to know that my thoughts align with a top-flight coach such as Harry Black. The experienced fighter develops an absolute awareness of threats and opportunities around them. He or she becomes mentally focussed and processes this threat/opportunity information in an effortless way. This underpins exactly the kind of counter punching style that Harry describes; versatile and effective. A Napoleon quote that I’ve used before I think is well worth keeping in mind “Defensive war does not exclude attacking, just as offensive war does not exclude defending…”
As for your view on what a counter puncher is, it’s on the money. It’s less of a challenge to master counter punching an offensive-minded opponent, but setting that trap to draw the lead is still the key to success. An interesting extension then is to consider the challenges of successfully breaking down the defensive-minded opponent with the same type of counter punching. Again the drawing of the lead is vital but this really needs to be combined with explosive foot movements AND punching. So, by definition a slightly more complicated business.
Thanks very much for the input Karl. It’s very useful to me and I’m sure the same is true for the site users.
A good fighter does not necessarily have many openings (should and could have all knockout points protected) when throwing punches. The first basic skill to this statement is tucking your chin behind your punch thrown side shoulder (with fully turning your punch over). A more advanced outlook on being protected while having extended punches is to have an active non throwing hand (for example: if you have an extended jab then you should have an active rear hand). When doing this you most focus on your opponent and not where your punching is landing or how your technique looks (part of reason why it is advanced because you should not have to think about accuracy or technique when going live… it should be reaction/muscle memory). while looking at opponent the active rear hand is looking to parry/pick/block hook/etc., your extended punch side should be covered (knockout points) by your properly tucked chin and high shoulders (in this case an defensively active lead shoulder is a good skill to possess as well). Example of using this technique: fighter 1 (F1) has been throwing jabs and getting countered by fighter 2 (F2) by parry/jab. F1 knowing this counter by F2 (parry/jab) sticks a jab out expecting it to be parried, but at the same time has his defense active rear hand reading to parry F2’s counter jab. F1 parry’s the F2 counter jab, and now can throw a counter of his/her own. (parry/cross over the top of F2’s jab…parry/lead hook to head or body). defense active non extended side of your body is a great way to avoid counterpunching damage and also to counterpunch the counterpuncher.