Uppercut is a powerful weapon in the arsenal of a boxer

Uppercut is a powerful blow that is applied along an internal vertical path. From English, this word is literally translated as "chop from the bottom up," which perfectly conveys the purpose of this technique. It is noteworthy that it is the uppercut that is considered one of the two most powerful blows along with the cross. Fist turned with your fingers inward.

How to beat an uppercut

This blow is applied mainly from close range. At the same time, the flight path of the fist goes along a vertical line - from the chest hitting up. More often than not, the goal of such an attack is the opponent’s chin, which may not be covered by such a sweeping attack. Most boxers prefer to put the block, placing gloves on the cheeks and cheekbones vertically. Therefore, the uppercut is able to slip in the space formed between the hands. In the photo above we see a great example of the technique of striking a Mexican lightweight Juan Manuel Marquez in a fight with Michael Katsidisom.

El Dinamita also loves to apply this kind of stroke, perfectly combining the left uppercut with the right cross. A similar tactic can be seen in almost all of his battles, especially in the confrontation with left-handed Filipino Manny Pacquiao.

Uppercut on the torso

Do not forget about uppercuts that are aimed at the body. The purpose of such strikes is the vulnerable solar plexus, liver and spleen. At the same time, work on the hull allows you to slow down the pace and breath of the opponent, which negatively affects endurance in the second half of the match. Many boxers build their tactics on constant blows to the body.

Uppercut on the body is most effective to apply when the enemy takes a breath. At this moment, his ribs rise, leaving the organs uncovered. Of course, calculating the opponent’s breathing is not so simple, however, such a technique has led to the premature end of the fight more than once. A great example is the uppercut, a photo of which you can see below (hit by Lucian Bute). Romanian managed to coolly adhere to the opponent’s abdomen, which led to a knockdown.

Cases of knockouts by a blow to the body boxing history has countless. For example, the famous American record holder, former world champion in several weight categories, Roy Jones, Jr. loved to start or end his combinations with punches in the body: a hook, an uppercut in the body area forced opponents to give up. It happened and vice versa - blows to the head distracted the opponent’s attention, and Roy began to process the opponent’s body.

Uppercut is an insidious blow

This becomes clear if you look at some aspects of the uppercut technique. Earlier it was said that the uppercut makes its way along the internal path, but not everyone understands what this really means.

In the photo above, middleweight Brandon Rios holds a right uppercut to the cheekbone of an American Peterson. The image well conveys the focus of the views of both boxers. The impact of Rios for Peterson is out of sight, which exacerbates the reaction of the brain and motor apparatus to the resulting shake.

This means that the element of surprise adds damage to the applied uppercut. The batter’s fist becomes visible to the opponent only in the last moments, therefore it is more difficult to respond to such a blow. Not to mention the uppercuts in the body, which are distinguished by their lightning speed and the inability to parry, since the hand of the striking boxer remains out of range of the opponent in 99% of cases.

How to fend off an uppercut?

Uppercut is also an insidious blow because such an attack is easily parried, because to avoid getting hit the boxer needs only to slightly take his head back. In this case, the fighter who threw the uppercut remains unprotected, led away by the inertia of the blow. Therefore, there are no less cases of knockouts after an inaccurately applied uppercut than with accurate hits. There were quite curious cases, for example, when the British heavyweight Tyson Fury missed and struck a similar blow to himself.

Uppercut in the technique of mixed martial arts

Uppercut is a technique that is used in the context of the MMA technique, where it can be used in circumstances that do not allow it to be used in the boxing ring.

This is a dirty boxing technique. This term implies active work in the clinch when both fighters are in the rack (as in the photo above). Such a position is not forbidden in the framework of mixed martial arts competitions, therefore, rivals strive to inflict maximum damage to each other at close range. Often paired with uppercuts, elbow punches are used , which are very effective in clinching.

It should take into account the parameters of local gloves, which are much smaller. This allows for more precise strikes, which are difficult to block, given the area of ​​the manual inventory.