How to Retreat Intelligently in Boxing

Knowing how to retreat intelligently allows you to evade more punches using less energy and even create opportunities for counter-punching. This defensive boxing strategy is useful for evading your opponent and avoid a fight when you are hurt, injured, tired, or otherwise trying to avoid an exchange.

[expertboxing]

I like long comments. Helps give me background and detail to provide more help (assuming I have time to answer).

Sometimes the hardest way to escape is IN & OUT. It's hard to go in the opposite direction when you just sent all your energy inwards. So what I recommend is to go in and then cut to the side towards the direction your back foot is already pointing. If you're an orthodox, try going forwards, and then escape by cutting to the back-right diagonal angle.

[expertboxing]

As for staying tall: it's not about keeping your head up, it's about straightening your spine. Try to have a strong back that doesn't bend over for anyone! Focus on your back, not your head. Give this one a try and let me know how you feel.

[expertboxing]

Great ideas, Martin. I'll record this in my next series. Thank you for the video suggestions.

[expertboxing]

This is a good point! Don't let him see that you're trying too hard to hype yourself up with confidence exercises, visualization, etc.

[expertboxing]

Thanks for the suggestion, Martin. Do you have some ideas in mind for boxing psychology videos?

[expertboxing]

I'm happy for you. GOOD JOB, ABEL!

[expertboxing]

Every body has patterns that they naturally develop and resort to. Like you all have a default pattern BUT you also have the reflexes to change from your default pattern when you see something coming. It's developed through years of experience in the ring.

[expertboxing]

This is an impossible question. That's like asking me what to do when you're down 10 rounds in a fight with 4 knockdowns scored against you and you're bleeding over both eyes.

First off, you're not supposed to be on the ropes. You're not supposed to even let the guy get 5 punches off in a row without you countering back. Whatever you have to do in an impossible situation, you should have done it long before it got that way. Defense is good but opponents don't stop firing until you fire back.

[MartinMarchev]

Great video as always, man. Just at the right time! I had a fight with a friend of mine this evening who is more experienced boxer than me and I constantly find myself back down. Very helpful tips, will try to apply these the next week! Can you do some video on boxing psychology? I think this is what a lot of guys ignore and I believe psyche is important part of boxing.

[rushabhdhoble]

Great job brother, I hope your channel reaches till 1 million subscribers ☺️☺️

[AbelChang]

thanks a lot dude!
i'm always watching your videos over and over... and man, it helped A LOT! i just won my first fight by retreating and counter punching!

[Abigailistic]

Awesome video man! This is definitely going to help me heaps :D

[demarkusjones]

Hi Johnny. My name is DeMarkus Jones im a heavyweight boxer about to make my pro debut. Longtime fan of your site and videos. Alot of what you say my coaches also say so i always try to implement your advice. Now to point im 6'6 and 230 lbs. And i always have trouble retreating after i attack. I slip punches well but my coaches always say im getting to low and to be tall to keep my height but whenever i try that i seem to get hit more. Any advice on how to retreat and be tall.

[pedromedina]

Hey @expertboxing would these techniques be helpful against taller fighters?Or would they work against you in that kind of a fight, please answer.

[JdogCubanito]

Good Defense moves right here Yo now am going start practicing on doing steps like these for better Guard, and chances of avoiding big punches or shot's Thanks Again Homie ^_^

[Rokhan]

amazing it seems like your decoding a pernell whitaker move!

[ShaderockLouis]

Right on! I needed that last sparring session, but good and great point to "keep punching;counter"... you might become a legion b4 yur time lol

[expertboxing]

Hehe, a lot of guys do this though. Whitaker just does it perhaps the best and most flashy/stylishly. ;)

[artuzo]

thanks man, you´re clear and inteligent. i would like to know if you can make a video to show us how to retreat and fight back. I´m sure you´re videos will help me a lot. Buena onda bro

[Rokhan]

i have a question lets say when whitaker and de hoya fought when he was doing his slipping thing, was he actually seeing all the punches coming your did he find a pattern in punching like how can you do that?