Punch Like a Heavyweight
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SPORTS
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If the smack-talking punk in your face only knew that Wladimir Klitschko trained you…
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The sweet science has taken a licking from the upstart UFC recently, but when it comes to pure punching power, boxers remain the undisputed champs. At 6'6" and 243 pounds, reigning IBF, WBO, and IBO world heavyweight champ Wladimir Klitschko knows something about knocking a dude’s lights out (he also holds a Ph.D. in sports science). So don’t be a lightweight—read up so you can man up when an unavoidable rumble steps into your jungle.
Punching Combo: Left Jab, Straight Right, Left Hook
1. “As you throw the jab, push forward with your back foot toward your opponent. At the end of the jabbing movement, rotate your wrist so your thumb lines up evenly with the rest of your hand.”
2. “For the straight right, rotate violently to the left as you launch your punch. The back foot should turn as if putting out a cigarette.”
3. “Throw the hook while reeling in the straight right; one goes out as the other comes in. The momentum will power up your swing. You’ll get a quicker upper-body twist and more knockout potential on the hook. Watch out—throwing this punch leaves your jaw wide open for a quick right. To avoid, be sure your upper body twists back after delivering the hook.”
 <<Land an Uppercut
“Before you let loose, bend your back knee and dip to your right. Don’t oversell it by pulling back your elbow too far, and never throw an uppercut from the outside or you’ll end up like Buster Douglas against Holyfield—on the canvas. If you do it right, it should connect at a 45-degree angle, right between your opponent’s gloves.”
Effectively Block>> “The best way to avoid a big right hand—my best punch—is to use the outside of your left wrist to deflect it away. Keep your left hand up high, as much as three or four inches above your shoulder. In boxing this is called a parry. While blocking, as you sense the punch coming, take one, but only one, extremely quick back-step.”
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