Reach

[Fernando Torres]

Jim Lampley always says the HBO ones are from the armpit to end of fist. Not sure how to do that wihtout having the tape in a kinda spiral, but I measured my reach today that way and got 25" and I'm 5'11'' and best at 175lbs. Not sure how much of a difference it makes in fights but I don't think it will mean much if it is just a few inches difference. It may shape your style but I think if you get timing right and you have skills, then no reach 'disadvantage' should affect you as you will have strategies for taller shorter and same sized opponents developed through the am's. Discuss.

[fraidycat]

I have arms like an orangutan. I don't know my reach but I'm 5'9" and have the same reach as a guy at my gym who's 6'1" and built like a greyhound. Reach helps -- especially in defending against a straight or jab counter -- but it takes a set of chrome-plated balls to take advantage of a 1- or 2-inch reach advantage; you need to learn to trust that that extra inch or two will keep you safe. It takes a lot of getting hit in the face to figure out where "safe" is, and you've got to be sure not to blink. I've been boxing three years and I'm still not comfortable relying on my reach. Maybe a really skilled, technical boxer -- or a brawler who is just psychotic and bloody-minded -- could make more of a slight reach advantage.

[KostyaTszyu44]

my reach is a bit longer than average i think, i have the same length arms as a guy at my gym who is 5''7 (im 5''4) but he has quite short arms for his height


i spar with bigger guys so im always conceding reach and it doesnt affect me too much...you just have toa void trading jabs with them and slip your way inside

[Mafcherano]

Tszyu outboxed Forrest diespiter having significantly less in reach and height departments. Naz had a shorter reach than most of the guys he outboxed. But in general a shorter reach or shorter person would need to get inside if the difference is significant. 2-3 inches won;t make no difference.

[markeeta]

I have great reach but I have more fun on the inside. I assume that's a good thing.

[Mafcherano]

If you have reach why not take advantage of it and jab? It depends how much but if it is more than a few inches then you have to capitalise on it when you can. It is good that you learn how to fight on inside though. Some people end up going on way or other but I think everyone should learn how to fight inside and outside no matter what their reach is. I can deal with taller or shorter people because I was learnt to box both ways.

[markeeta]

If you have reach why not take advantage of it and jab? It depends how much but if it is more than a few inches then you have to capitalise on it when you can. It is good that you learn how to fight on inside though. Some people end up going on way or other but I think everyone should learn how to fight inside and outside no matter what their reach is. I can deal with taller or shorter people because I was learnt to box both ways.

i do both. just don't rely on reach. whatever is needed at the time.

[potatoes]

I have arms like an orangutan. I don't know my reach but I'm 5'9" and have the same reach as a guy at my gym who's 6'1" and built like a greyhound. Reach helps -- especially in defending against a straight or jab counter -- but it takes a set of chrome-plated balls to take advantage of a 1- or 2-inch reach advantage; you need to learn to trust that that extra inch or two will keep you safe. It takes a lot of getting hit in the face to figure out where "safe" is, and you've got to be sure not to blink. I've been boxing three years and I'm still not comfortable relying on my reach. Maybe a really skilled, technical boxer -- or a brawler who is just psychotic and bloody-minded -- could make more of a slight reach advantage.

Reach is a very interesting issue. In the past it was measured in terms of wing span, but lately arm length has become standard of comparison. Is it a good way to compare boxers? Perhaps, if they have the same style. Comparing Muhammad Ali's reach with Joe Frazier's doesn't really tell you very much. On the surface it Ali appears to have an advantage, but Ali himself has said many times that Frazier wasn't all that easy to hit. The reach advantage can be neutralized through lateral head movement.

As I recall you have said that you like to fight on the inside. A man who fights small doesn't need long arms, and it may in fact prove to be a detriment. Long arms are good for full extension punches. When you get inside you have to shorten your punches. This isn't such an easy thing to do if your arms are as long or longer than your opponents.

At some point every fighter should commit to a style. Do you fight tall or small. Are you a boxer or a slugger? Do you fight fast or slow? Are you offensive minded or defensive? The type of body you have and what you can make it do determines what your style should be. Do you feel comfortable throwing full extension punches? Can you stick and move? Do you feel better getting inside and assaulting your opponent with a very physical style?

Reach is important, but it is only a factor in determining your style. In the ring the so called reach advantage is a bit overrated. Julius Long may have the longest reach in boxing today. Didn't stop short-armed Sam Peter from knocking him out.