Boxing is the most unambiguous sport. But the language will not turn out to be ideal to call it. There is one flaw in boxing, one might even say a flaw.
For example why Anthony Joshua who won Wladimir Klitschko in a fight that is already a world champion? A Deontay Wilder who is also a world champion? Why Vasily Lomachenko should one after the other just because no one wants to go into the ring with him? Why do amateurs have the highest title - Olympic champion, while professionals simply hide behind the abbreviations of an infinite number of organizations? Sometime this had to come to an end.
In March 2017, a new professional boxing tournament was announced - the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS). Maybe at least he will manage to change something in the sport, which is losing its old-school champion character and is simply becoming a way of siphoning money from the audience.
What it is?
If it's simple, then it's something like football league champions or the same Olympic Games among amateurs. The goal of WBSS is to collect the most strong boxers and find out which one is really the best.
Due to the large number of organizations that have their champions (WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF), it is sometimes impossible to determine who is the strongest. The bureaucracy that devours and kills sports sometimes makes it simply impossible to organize unification fights (how much did Golovkin demanded a fight from Saunders?), But the strongest must be determined.
The organizers of the tournament decided to deal first with the heavy weight (up to 90 kg, 200 lbs) and with the second average (up to 76 kg, 168 lbs). Firstly, there is not a single boxer here who owns multiple belts. Secondly, these are the divisions with a relatively high KO rate, which is good for the viewer. Thirdly, there are no superstars here who can refuse to sign a contract to participate.
The format is extremely simple. 16 boxers (8 in each weight) will take part in the WBSS. The priority task is to collect four champions each (there are no questions to the heights) and four more eminent boxers from the top 15 ratings of any of the world organizations.
Then on 8 July at Monaco will pass a draw where the champions will recognize their rivals in the quarterfinals. First circle tournament will be held in September-October. The winners advance to the semifinals (January-ferval), and then to the final (May). At stake in the decisive match will be the Mohammed Ali trophy, $ 10 million in prize money, and championship belts. Title holders automatically put them on the line of fights in which they take part.
At the same time, the participants in the quarterfinals are guaranteed to receive one million dollars each, and the total prize fund of the tournament will be $ 50 million.
Tournament grid WBSS
Where will the battles take place?
The organizers plan that of the 14 fights of the tournament, exactly half will take place in the US arenas: New York Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center in Los Angeles, as well as at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. There is no territorial restriction on the remaining battles, however, Europe is in priority, namely Britain and Germany.
Has there ever been something like this?
Yes it was. And, by the way, not so long ago. In 2009-11, the middleweight title was already held Super tournament Six World Boxing Classic, which was attended by the champions of the WBC and WBA.
Then Showtime gathered six of the strongest boxers in one grid: Karl Forch, Andre Ward, Arthur Abraham, Andre Dirrell, Mikkel Kessler and Jermain Taylor... Boxers had to play three fights on group stage... For a victory by knockout, 3 points were awarded, by a decision of the judges - 2 and 1 point - for a draw.
Four best boxers advanced to the semifinals. The one who took first place fought with the fourth number, and the second with the third.
On December 17 in Atlantic City, USA, Karl Froch and Andre Ward faced off in the final match. As a result, the American defeated Froch by unanimous decision: 115-113, 115-113, 118-110.
It was at this tournament that Froch suffered the only defeats in his career, and Ward became the world champion for the first time.
Who will be performing at WBSS?
The first was announced the participation in the tournament of three heavyweights: the champion of the IBF Murata Gassieva(24-0, 17 KOs), WBC champion Mairis Briedis(22-0, 18 KOs) and Former IBF and WBC Champion and IBF Ranking Leader Krzysztof Wlodarczyk(53-3-1, 37 KOs).
The next official confirmation of participation was given by the WBA regular champion Junier Dorticos(21-0, 20 KOs), shortly after he gave his consent to participate in the tournament Marko Hook(40-1-4, 27 KOs).
According to ESPN insider Dan Raphael, the contract was also signed with the Pole. Krzysztof Glowacki(27-1, 17 KOs), however, the official website of the WBSS has not yet confirmed these words.
But the most interesting for the Ukrainian fan is another name. WBO Champion Alexander Usik(12-0, 10 KOs) has repeatedly stated that he wants to unite the belts in his weight and does not understand why tournaments are not held where the best fighter is not determined. Therefore, it is not strange that, in the opinion of his manager Egis Klimas,.
Also contenders for getting into tournament grid heavyweights are called Ilunga Makabu(20-2, 19 KOs) and Mateus Masternack(39-4, 29 KOs). At the same time, none of the messages mentions the name of the Russian WBA Super champion. Denis Lebedev(29-2, 22 KOs), which is scheduled to fight with By Mark Flanagan(22-4, 15 KOs) on the ninth of July.
Usyk will take part in the boxing Champions League / Facebook Heavy weight:
Alexander Usik(12-0, 10 KOs) - WBO
Mairis Briedis(22-0, 18 KOs) - WBC
Murat Gassiev(24-0, 17 KOs) - IBF
Junier Dorticos(21-0, 20 KOs) - WBA
Krzysztof Wlodarczyk(53-3-1, 37 KOs)
Marko Hook(40-1-4, 27 KOs)
Possible participants:
Krzysztof Glovacki(27-1, 17 KOs)
Ilunga Makabu(20-2, 19 KOs)
Mateus Masternack(39-4, 29 KOs)
In the second middle weight, such an influx of champions has not yet been noticeable. In general, there is less talk about this division.
A Briton was the first to sign a contract to participate in the tournament. Jord groves(26-3, 19 KOs), possessing the WBA belt. It seemed, well, now it will trample, but no.
The next gave their consent to the non-existence of the earlier Swede Eric Skogland(26-0, 12 KOs) and Briton Jamie Cox(22-0, 12 KOs). A couple, to be honest, so-so. The records, of course, are ideal, but the names, to put it mildly, are very modest. If the heavy weight really looks like a champion, then there is still work to be done. Well, the last acquisition of WBSS so far is the ex-WBA and WBO champion in the floor heavyweight Jurgen Bremer(48-3, 35 KOs), who will drop in weight to participate in the tournament.
This means that there are still four places left, but there are no rumors about the middleweight contestants at all, so it's worth taking a look at the rankings for who you would like to see.
So, several of the remaining five places may well be claimed by champions: James Digail(23-1-1, 14 KOs) - IBF and Gilberto Ramirez(35-0, 24 KOs) - WBO.
Also, the public would not mind seeing the leader of the WBO rating in the case. Arthur Abraham(46-5, 30 KOs) and his chatty British IBO champion Chris Eubenck Jr.(24-1, 19 KOs), as well as the first number of the WBC - Callum Smith(22-0, 17 KOs), and the Swede Badu Jack (21-2-1, 12 KOs).
But while the activity of the organizers in this weight category clearly leaves much to be desired, however, we'll see.
Groves will compete in the middleweight tournament / Boxing News Second average weight:
Jord Groves (26-3, 19 KOs) - WBA
Eric Skogland (26-0, 12 KOs)
Jamie Cox (22-0, 12 KOs)
Jurgen Bremer (48-3, 35 KOs)
Interesting facts:
The tournament trophy was created by the designer of the FIFA World Cup Silvio Gazzaniga.
WBSS organizers are planning to sign a contract with Showtime to air the tournament's bouts.
Tournament promoter Wilfried Saurland was also one of the organizers of the Super Six World Boxing Classic.
Fights will not be postponed due to boxers' injuries; forfeit loss will be counted immediately.
The names of the first participants in the tournament were announced the day before the anniversary of Muhammad Ali's death.
WBSS is funded by Highlight, which began rebranding the UEFA Champions League in the early 90s.
It was originally planned to hold the tournament in the second middle and first welterweight divisions.
Super Series 2017 (World Boxing Super Series) has already begun! 16 of the best boxers from around the world will meet in the rings to compete for the mind-blowing trophy - the Muhammad Ali Cup! We advise you to study the schedule of fights of the world boxing series, as well as the tournament table of elimination fights, and of course, we share information where you can watch each fight live.
World Boxing Super Series 2017 is an annual tournament in professional boxing. Prize fund tournament - $ 50 million, and the winner will receive 4 belts and will acquire the WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO champion titles.
The fight of the world boxing super series will be held - ¼ final - from September to October 2017, ½ final - in January-February 2018, final - May 2018. So far, we are watching the quarterfinals.
Participants of the boxing super series are represented by eight people in two weight categories- the first heavy weight (up to 90.7 kg) and the second average weight (up to 76.2 kg).
Participants - heavyweights:
Participants - super middleweights:
Battle schedule world super series boxing - date and time, as well as live broadcast of fights:
23 September, 6:00 local time: Dmitry Kudryashov - Junior Dorticos , the first heavyweight bout will take place in the USA, Alamodom, San Antonio, Texas. The broadcast was announced on the "Match!" ... Time - 4:30 am on September 24, Sunday.
September 30th: Mike Perez - Mairis Briedis , the first heavy weight. The meeting will take place in Riga, at the "Riga Arena" of the same name. WITH according to the broadcast schedule "Match!" , the meeting will take place at 00:00 local time. Time in Riga coincides with Moscow time.
October 7th: Chris Eubank - Avni Yildirim , second average weight. The fight will take place in Stuttgart, Germany.
October 14: fight George Groves - Jamie Cox , second average weight. The fight will take place in London, at Wembley Arena.
October 21: Murat Gassiev - Krzysztof Wlodarczyk , the first heavy weight. The two heavyweights will meet in Newark, US New Jersey.
27th October: Jurgen Bremer - Rob Brunt , second average weight. Bremer and Brunt will fight in the ring in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
It is reported that all the battles for the Mohammed Ali Cup will be hosted by the Match! ... The poster will be updated in the future, the exact time of the super series fights will be published, taking into account Moscow time, as well as forecasts for battles - for.
The results of the first fights of the world boxing super series:
9th of September a battle between a Ukrainian took place in Berlin Alexander Usik and German Marko Huck in the first heavy weight category. Result - Usik's victory in round 10: technical knockout. Hook leaves the tournament.
16 of September a fight took place in Liverpool between British Callum Smith and Swede Eric Skoglund ... The result is the victory of Calum Smith by the decision of the judges.
According to the standings, the next opponent of Alexander Usik will be determined in a duel between Briedis and Perez, and Smith will get either Bremer or Brant.
In our article, we will discuss the most simple and effective combinations punches in boxing, discussing their advantages and disadvantages. We will not delve into any complex elements and connections that are supposedly miraculous and strike an opponent like lightning. Everything ingenious is simple, and the opponent is struck exactly simple punches delivered quickly, bitingly and hitting the target.
Boxing punches and combinations
The few types of punches in boxing can be linked in a considerable number of series. The point is that good fighter you can be without using any complex elements. Because the most important thing is the quality of their use. An ordinary side or straight kick in boxing, perfected to the ideal, definitely surpasses the whole arsenal of striking, which has some errors and inaccuracies. For clarity, we can give a parallel example, where good boxer often hits with his hands better than a good kickboxer: he does not spray on his feet, his training program fully concentrated on the work of the hands. Wherein this advantage can fully compensate for the lack of kicking skills.
Consider basic combinations of blows in boxing: the simplest and most used. Please note that all series will be viewed from a right-handed perspective. And in order to avoid unnecessary tautology, in the future we will use the following simple designations:
- left to the head - LH;
- right to the head - PG;
- left to the body - LC;
- right into the case - PC.
Now let's go.
Left and right straight
One of the simplest, but most effective series, called "two". A direct punch in boxing is the basis without which no continuation is possible. The classic "two" for a right-hander is a left-right straight, where the second hit is accented, and the first can even play the role of a feint.
Execution variations
The blows can also be applied to the body area. So, the left one can be applied to the head (but in this case it is more often just a feint), and the emphasis goes to the torso. It also happens the other way around: after the lower left, the right goes to the head. However, it is most often difficult to break through such a "two" from a distance, and here it is desirable to have previous feints, strikes or other preparatory actions.
Thus, the two might look like this:
- LG-PG - classics of the genre;
- LK-PG - where it becomes possible to apply a strong right straight line, due to the additional effort of the legs and the body (as in the case of a spring);
- LG-PC - here your goal is solely to hit the body, otherwise you should not even waste time and effort on getting in.
What to look for
The pause between the first and second hit is minimal. The right hand seems to be catching up with the left. The longer the pause, the less chance of hitting the target with the main blow. The longer you "think" with this basic punch, the longer you will remain in a vulnerable position for your opponent. You do not want to receive a meeting without completing your business?
When applying the left straight, the right shoulder should be lowered and relaxed, the elbow covers the liver, and the fist should cover the chin. In fact, the final phase of the left strike should become a kind of swing for the right strike, due to a slight turn in the shoulders. That is why a single right straight kick in boxing is objectively weaker and often technically more difficult than in this combination.
At the moment of the second blow, the left fist returns to the chin. At the same time, you do not fall over anywhere, transferring your body weight to the front leg, which makes it possible for subsequent development. This development can be either a rebound back (and other forms of avoiding a possible counterattack), or a continuation of the attack from the left hand (there are several options here). You can read more about the bad in this article.
Postman blow
This combination is present not only in boxing, but in other contact martial arts. In fact, it is a more "elongated" deuce, allowing at the time of the attack to reduce the distance with the target. The first two hits are quick left jabs, and the emphasis is again on the right straight: LH-LH-PG.
What to look for
The "postman strike" can be considered as an effective and most frequently used combination of punches in boxing. But here, as elsewhere, synchronous footwork is very important. Each blow, although it may be short and quick, must be accompanied by an appropriate step.
After applying the first jab, you do not return the fist back, again bending your arm at the elbow: second hit should, as it were, overlap with the first. Ideally, these two jabs should hit the target and the right straight becomes the final chord. Yes, not everything and does not always work out perfectly, but your main task in any case is an accented third hit.
Three, but not horses
Most often, the "three" is called the same "postman's blow", only here two full-fledged jabs are applied, while there is one short one. Since these combinations are similar, you will consider another C. And then let's take a look at the performance variations.
In the classic case, it looks like this: left-right-left, and everything flies into the head. However, when using only direct strikes, the last left one is often not very relevant, due to excessive proximity to the target. In this case, the direct kick is simply replaced by a side kick. And the emphasis, it should be noted, should be on him.
Execution variations
So, how many options for the execution of such a triplet can we have:
- LH-PG-LH - all straight, but the latter is possible lateral. We have discussed this.
- LK-PG-LH - also all straight lines, with the possible exception of the latter. Here, the first blow can also play the role of a feint, forcing the opponent to drop his hands and open up for the continuation of the combination.
- LH-PC-LH - here it is preferable to finish it most often with the side. The main focus is playing on contrasts: starting from the top, continuing from the bottom, ending up again on top. The opponent is disoriented, and if the distance is chosen correctly, he will definitely miss.
- LH-PG-LK - here an accentuating blow to the liver, however, the right one should also be strong and not play the role of a feint. Below in the video you can see the work on the bag, where this particular version of the series is being worked out.
What to look for
We will not talk about footwork every time - this is an indispensable condition. In terms of protection - everything was said in the description of the "two": the elements are used the same, the hands work exactly the same, so nothing has changed.
Not the number of hits, but their accuracy
Notice using the same types of punches in boxing, we create completely different bundles. At the same time, as you can see, we are not at all creative, coming up with something non-existent and half absurd. Such combinations "for every day".
Uppercuts, and even crosses, are deliberately not mentioned in this article, although this is an integral part of one big martial arts culture. But this only emphasizes even more clearly how simple, but at the same time effective combinations of punches in boxing consisting of no more than three elements. And even here many more possible connections could be mentioned, which would start with right hand, and the blows would be used the same. But it would turn out to be too long an article, and the reader is mostly so lazy that he may be frightened even by the amount of text. That is why the continuation of this topic will be considered in subsequent articles.
On the video you can see the technical development of the C grade, described in one of the options:
Sportbox.ru columnist Alexander Pavlov decided to consider the composition of the pairs of the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) in the first heavyweight, where four Russian-speaking boxers, two of whom are Russians, will compete, and also tried to assess their chances.
The seeded representatives of the WBSS last weekend selected opponents for the starting fights in the ¼ finals during the draw, which took place in Monaco.
Let me remind you that the tournament will be held in two weight categories - first heavyweight and second middle weight. Eight fighters will take part in each. Tournament bracket - playoffs. The quarterfinals will be held in September – October this year, the semifinals in January – February 2018, and the finals in May 2018.
Will the Usyk Hook "tickle"?
Alexander Usik - Olympic champion London. The Ukrainian won the WBO belt in September last year, confidently defeating the Pole in Gdansk after 12 rounds. Alexander is an excellent gamer, but he hasn’t shown himself as a puncher yet.
It should be noted that Usyk chose himself as a seeded boxer at the draw.
- Why Hook? - says Usyk. - Because in the last two days before the draw, the fans were actively discussing with whom I should fight - Kudryashov, Perez or Hook. Hook of them scored the most - 67 percent. In addition, I have long wanted to box with him. He's arrogant, dirty, snappy - really interesting.
Marko Hook and Alexander Povetkin / Photo: © Grigory Vershkain
Hook is a controversial and controversial German boxer of Bosnian descent. He won a number of fights, not least thanks to his former promoters - and. At the end of 2014, he organized his own promotion company. In the summer of 2015, he lost the belt to the Pole Glovatsky, from whom Usyk "expropriated" it a year later.
“The tendril is exactly the opponent I dreamed of meeting,” Hook said. - Him - good press, he is an Olympic champion, so let's test his strength against me.
It seems that Usyk should outbox Hook, battered during his eventful career, if he does not get the Ukrainian with a crazy punch.
According to preliminary information, the Usik-Hook fight may take place in Kiev.
Kudryashov and Dorticos stand each other
Dmitry Kudryashov / Photo: © Boxing World
- There will be a cool fight, both aggressive boxers: the young, but already proven Gassiev against the experienced Wlodarczyk, who loves to be attacked. In style, they match each other, - said "R-Sport", the Pole's mentor.
Krzysztof Wlodarczyk
Rich experience also has the other side of the medal: Wlodarczyk's boxing age is very large, and therefore the deterioration of his body is great.
- Wlodarczyk is a very experienced fighter, former champion world, as well as a mandatory contender for the IBF world title, - quotes the words of Gassiev TASS. - I am confident in my strengths and in my victory, it will be a bright fight. Will there be a knockout or not? Let others make predictions, we have enough experts who understand boxing.
Briedis and hot Perez
WBC champion Mairis Briedis announces himself loud victories, in particular over Duradola, Hook and heavyweight. His current rival, Cuban Mike Perez, is also a heavyweight descended to the cruiserweight. In Russia, Peres is known, first of all, for the tragic duel against, who after the match ended up in intensive care with a brain injury, and a rapid-fire defeat from.
Sultry Mike Perez / Photo: © Boxing World
Unlike Peres, Briedis does not know the bitterness of defeat, and the Latvian is a powerful puncher. Extraordinary endurance and a wealth of experience helped Hook to escape the knockout in a fight with him. However, Perez is a great techie. And if in heavyweight with a height of 185 cm he is not the most dimensional fighter, then in the first heavy weight he is a very noticeable figure in terms of physical data.
In this case, I'm not afraid to call the representative of Latvia the favorite.
Tournament winners will receive the Muhammad Ali Trophy. The prize fund of the tournament is $ 50 million.