Understanding Boxing’s Past Styles and Stances
In his YouTube video, “WHY THEY BOXED LIKE THIS IN THE PAST,” Tony Jeffries, a professional boxer, explores the evolution of boxing. As an Olympic bronze medalist, Jeffries brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his audience. Surprisingly, the video has garnered a viewership of over 2 million people since its release on August 21, 2022.
The video’s central focus is the peculiar boxing stance adopted by boxers from the 19th century. To the untrained eye, the stance may seem rather ineffective, but Jeffries explains the benefits behind this old-time stance. The hands-high-in-the-air position might look absurd compared to modern boxing, but it was a product of its time and the unique rules that governed the sport.
Interestingly, Jeffries discloses that during this epoch, boxing was often bare-knuckle, and fighters were loath to punch each other in the head with full force. This was because the absence of gloves made the sport more dangerous not necessarily to the boxer who was hit, but to the one doing the punching. The absence of padding meant that a boxer could easily damage his hands.
Furthermore, Jeffries traces the transformation of boxing rules, explaining how they influenced the stance and techniques used by boxers over time. From allowing grappling, to the introduction of the Queensberry rules that mandated the use of gloves, Jeffries provides an insightful narration of boxing’s history.
The video also touches on shocking facts about boxing in the 19th century, including the record-longest fight that spanned seven hours and consisted of 111 rounds. Another startling fact is that mouthguards were not used until 1913, meaning boxers often had to contend with knocked-out teeth and torn lips.
Tony Jeffries’ analysis not only offers a comprehensive understanding of boxing’s historical styles but also underscores the significance of rules and safety measures in shaping the sport. The video ”WHY THEY BOXED LIKE THIS IN THE PAST” is a fascinating watch for anyone curious about the evolution of boxing stances and techniques.
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Tony Jeffries: The Boxing Savant
Tony Jeffries, an eminent figure in the world of boxing, first came into the limelight when he won eight national titles in the UK. His remarkable talent also earned him the reputable English ABA championships seven times.
In 2008, Jeffries represented Great Britain in the Olympics and not just participated, but won the Bronze medal. His Olympic success put him in the spotlight and opened up professional opportunities.
In his professional career, Jeffries remained undefeated, with an awe-inspiring record of 9-0-1. Despite an early retirement due to hand injuries, he remains a celebrated figure in boxing history.
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Classical vs Modern Boxing Training
The world of boxing has experienced significant transitions in training methods. Traditional classical boxing training was more about raw power and brute strength. The emphasis was on heavy bag work, long-distance running, and sparring to build stamina and toughness.
On the contrary, modern boxing training combines traditional boxing techniques with advanced fitness science. It includes high-intensity interval training(HIIT), cognitive drills, and specific strength and conditioning work. Its primary focus is not only to improve the fighter’s prowess but also their overall physical and mental health. This holistic approach has redefined the boxing landscape.
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The History of Boxing
Boxing, a combative sport, has rich historical roots. It dates back to 3000 BC in ancient Egypt. The Romans later enhanced it by introducing leather thongs for the fighters’ protection. However, modern boxing evolved in Britain in the 17th and 18th centuries.
What are your thoughts on the Boxing style they used to do in the past?
Watch next: Olympic Boxer Reacts to your Boxing Training Videos
https://youtu.be/UOGk_Zc1UOY
you said 1983, you mean 1883.
Very good video.
Old Pugilists of the 18th and 19th Century did condition their hands and knuckles similar to some karate styles. Also their striking technique was bit different to modern Boxing and they tried to land more bodyshots. Also Hammerfists and Backfists were allowed among a lot of other stuff. When you check out the Broughton Rules introduced 1743 by Jack Broughton, the student of famous James Figg, then you see that more techniques were allowed than prohibited.
Athough the fists were their main weapons, the ruleset did let them do elbow strikes and headbutts. And more importantly, they did wrestling techniques like the cross-buttock, backheel and other things. Punching in the clinch, rabbit-punches and other things considered a foul or "dirty boxing" today, were allowed back then. Famous Daniel Mendoza was beaten under these rules, because his opponent grabbed Mendoza´s long hair (many Prizefighters preferred shaving their heads because of that) and punched him into submission. So many other techniques were allowed, that the old Pugilists had to adress other than today´s boxers.
Many fighters had to take care of their hands, because fighting was not their main income. Some were like "professionals", with a rich person financing their fights, but many had to work besides their fighting. Imagine you have broken hands and then your main income as a carpenter, blacksmith, dock worker etc. is at risk.
One important points about the many rounds they count back then: A round ended, when a fighter was down on his knees, so some did use a throw to end a round and get a short break (plus create some damage) or they stumbled, got knocked down a bit and went down on one knee or such. So do not imagine these 100 rounds being like 100 2 or 3 minute rounds. But fights could take long and the fighters maiming each other slowly with bare knuckles.
So the stance has various reasons: It was coming from the art of fencing, so fighting with Backsword and Smallsword, which the early Pugilists took the theory for fencing with the fists from. Therefore they used a lot of parrys or blocks, like in Karate, using the forearm to parry. Also when they were striking, they often did a lunge, so like a long fencing falling step to get power behind. Again this guard had also the reason to better protect against bodyshots, but also to prevent grappling attempts better. However these old bw-photos show often later 19th Century fighters. In the older days of Broughton and Mendoza, so 1700 – 1840s, they often used closer guards depending on style and preference. Daniel Mendoza was known for his more square and crouched stance. Also because he was a lighter fighter in a a time, when they had no weight classes. So this all plays a role.
1983? i think he meant 1883
The style is also very diffrent with things like guarding headbutts in the clintched, just other things to think about.
To avoid getting hit in the head.
Modern day sport fighting posture shows the 'amped' up quality that fighters carry with them, 24/7. Basically. If you have a fight with someone in 2 months. You're violently intimate with your opponent for 60 days. And it's gotten more that way with jiu jitsu. People sweating and rolling on a mat. You know? Don't know if the person, you're with, has std or something contagious? These fighter types think it's all the rage. And people, who believe in this idea of temperance and moderation and equanimity, do not end up in MMA, although they might do boxing. Course. Boxing and mma, both have bad posture. The old posture is more 'savate.' Your head moves back much more naturally, because your lifestyle and life decisions are more geared for NOT getting involved in a bad situation. Fighters, today, can train to move the head back, but it's not natural for them. They want to be known as people, who dive into the fray and are champions because of it. Posture is key to all sword arts. If you're rolling on the ground, as your combat modality, you lack the civility of sword discipline. Course. The Japanese do jiu jitsu different, because of sword culture.
I can see adding gloves makes for harder punches and more damage. That's what you get with american football vs autralian football or rugby. The gloves and pads protect the hitter and enable them to hit harder.
Great explanation, and thank you for saying "19th century" instead of that infuriating "1800s" that people misuse!
111 rounds is crazy
"Fighting" is mostly footwork. So it's become an athletic event.
Wing Chun uses the old boxing stance because if you are not concerned with the athletic footwork, and only care about self defense, keeping your head further away and your hands closer is more effective.
In self defense, athletic footwork is rarely a part of what you are trying to accomplish in the brief moments you have to defend an attack.
I feel like you try to make it so you sound clearer to everyone, thx m8
Man, that picture from 1983 really takes me back
Bruce Lee would have coped with no gloves..
Very different to Mike Tyson’s “ peek a boo “ style..
That wide stance low hands are like some karate mma fighters stance today. Wonderboy, conor (before floyd fight) , cejudo, adesanya use that stance
Gloves fucked everything up
is there a way you can open your British flag.
When I had to hit someone the wrong way once and it hurt my hand. The fight was not over I finished what he started. I just got a little crunchy noise from my hand and it puffed up for a while. No big deal. I guess some people are just built different. When I saw Undertaker throwing Mick Foley around and breaking his teeth with a chair and Mick just comes back for more I'm like I could do that.
111 rounds in "1983"?😅 Do you mean "1883"? I assure you there was never a 111 round boxing match in 1983.
Now plese tell me what accent is it? Which part of England are you from?
Cuz the thai immigrants hadnt come yet
It comes from kali stick fighting
3 fighters, Jack Dempsey, Ted Kid Lewis and Harry Greb really changed the stance…..
@ 1:58 *1883 I think.
Thanks for the content, Tony!
Does ANYBODY know where that picture at 5:29 is? Or the origins of it? Calling a friend 😆
Tyson fury kinda fights like that
Bare knuckle era then gloved era. It was all about just squaring up and using head feints to draw leads, in order to counter. And they paced themselves accordingly.
just like old school UFC, those were real warriors, id love to see modern day UFC guys take the gloves off and fight multiple times a NIGHT until they lose. winning a UFC fight with the OG rules was a much more deserved win and meant a lot more then it is now.
The part about grappling makes sense to me. Having your hands lower helps defend against take downs. You see a lot of mma fighters use a modified version of the left hand extended/rights hand chambered at the cheek. Dan Henderson was famous for it.
Did they condition there hands