What are the punch numbers in Boxing?

Spread the love

Boxing is a sport of fist fighting between two people wearing padded gloves within a roped-off ring with a referee inside. Although it is a punching fight, it has strict rules that must be followed. Despite worldwide popularity, boxing is still under pressure to introduce further safety measures to minimize the risk of brain damage, comas, deaths, and other permanent injuries that end the career forever. Today we will discuss the punch numbers legally applied in boxing.

About Punch Numbers in Boxing:

There are different ways of punches in boxing which are designed by the numbers. The formulas are invented to ease the rules of fighting especially for beginners.  Fundamentally, boxing punch numbers 1-6 are based on an orthodox boxing stance with a flexible and maneuvering technique to be taken to use fist punches to the opponent. 

A few of the basic boxing combos that are used in the numbering system: 

:1 – 2 = Jab – Cross.

:3 – 4 = Lead Hook – Rear Hook. 

:5 – 6 = Lead Uppercut –Rear Uppercut.

 The way these different punches in boxing are numbered, experts claim that boxers, especially beginners who properly abide by the formulas would probably win the match. All even-numbered punches are right-handed punches. All odd-numbered punches are left-handed punches.

Explanation of punch numbers in boxing:

The topic needs more explanation. In boxing, Jab along with Cross comes first. So the “one-two combo” is the name given to the combination consisting of two common punches. Every boxer uses throwing with the lead hand called ‘Jab’ followed by the punch thrown by the backhand called ‘Cross’. These fundamental punches are usually numbered by trainers. The Jab is number 1 and the Cross is number 2. The Jab one in boxing is a much-used quick and straight punch thrown with the lead hand. The Jab is beauty in fist fights and is meant to be of rapid movement. Although the Jab is not a powerful punch, it is good for scoring points in a boxing match. It is also good for checking distance and for starting a combination of punches. Most of the time boxers fight in an orthodox stance. In the Orthodox stance, the boxer’s good hand is the right hand. To make a Jab the boxer places the left hand and the left foot forward followed by a right-hand Cross.

The Southpaw stance is the opposite of the Orthodox stance. In the Southpaw stance, the boxer has the right hand and the right foot forward, leading with right Jabs followed by a left-hand Cross. It is the normal stance a left-handed boxer chooses to fight better.

 So the lead hand that makes a Jab could be the right hand or left hand. If both the boxers follow an orthodox stance and since they are right-handed their left hands would be the lead hand taking defense against the opponent’s right-hand punches. 

To upgrade the fight boxers are required to maintain discipline in the sport. Trainers feel the necessity to train boxers with the basic punches which are named by the numbers. The punch numbers are mentioned above.

As boxers learn the fundamentals they begin to learn more techniques on how to use other combinations of these punches together to create more effective blows. 

Beginners must learn the “one-two” combo because this punch number helps them understand different punches. This combination falls into Jab and Cross. In a Jab and Cross, the objective is to get the opponent within range and land a powerful punch. Naturally, the boxing stance be it orthodox or southpaw has the lead hand in front, closer to the opponent while the dominant hand is in the back/rear.

Lead Hooks and Rear Hooks are in numbers 3 and 4 respectively.

A hook is also a punch in boxing. Hooks are among the devastating punches. Hooks generate from core muscles’ strength thereby swinging the arm. A hook usually targets the jaw, and multiple body shots including the liver to seriously hit the opponent.

know about the lead hook, rear hook, and lead uppercut:

Lead Hook:The Lead Hook is more powerful than a Jab. It is compact, seamless, ever-increasing power generated through swinging momentum. The hook punch travels fast within the shortest distance to the target.

Rear Hook:The Rear Hook utilizes similar forces to the Lead Hook, but it comes from the opposite side of the boxer’s body. So he doesn’t have to transfer any of his weight before the hook punch.

Lead Uppercut:A lead uppercut in boxing could be interpreted in two ways. One of two: the Uppercut is the leading punch thrown in a combo or the Uppercut thrown with the leading/front hand in either situation of fighting stance. 

Rear Uppercut: The Rear Uppercut is an uppercut punch executed with the back/rear hand when the boxer is in an Orthodox position, it is your right uppercut. For a Southpaw stance, this is a left uppercut punch.

Final Words:

We already said that these punch numbers are not hard and fast rules, especially for senior professional boxers, that must be followed. This number system was designed by trainers. It is a basic technique combination for beginners to avoid bad habits in the sport.

Leave a Comment