A Question Of Pace And Endurance
Adrien Broner's fight against Shawn Porter (LOL)
Sometimes, for whatever reason, some boxers
show up too late to the fight. No, not late for the ring
walk. I'm referring to some boxers saving everything
energy-wise for the last couple rounds of the fight, then
failing to get the knockout and losing on points. This was
the case in the Adrien Broner v. Shawn Porter fight. Broner,
who is a very talented boxer, waited until the last two
rounds to really go at Porter, who had boxed steadily and
consistently throughout the bout, registering and
accumulating vital points.
Towards the end of the fight, Broner was
able to register a punch that resulted in a knockdown, but
not knockout. Porter ended up winning on points. I've seen
some boxers pace themselves this way and it can cost the
fight, as an opposing pugilist who recognizes this early on
will outpoint or knock them out.
Adrien Broner's next fight is against British
boxer, Ashley Theophane, on April 1, 2016 at the DC Armory
in Washington, DC. Tickets are available online. The fight
will be televised on Spike in the U.S. (9PM Eastern Time). Theophane will likely be
studying Broner's fights against prevailing boxers Maidana
and Porter as a blueprint, in the hope of taking Broner's
WBA Junior Welterweight belt.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, some
boxers "throw the kitchen sink" at their opponent from the
opening bell. Sometimes they get the knockout in the first
couple rounds, but other times their opponent proves
durable, causing them to run out of steam early, due to
expelling so much effort straight out of the gate. Do not
use all your strength in the opening rounds or save it all
for the closing rounds. Aim for an even keel.
Pace and endurance are important for this
reason. Boxers need proper conditioning and strength
training to go the distance under any circumstances. Proper
conditioning improves stamina, creating an even distribution
of strength and durability, resulting in endurance
throughout the fight. Build up your strength to the point
that you can fight with evenness and the constant
application of pressure.