The pivot blow is an illegal strike in boxing. Last time it was used "legally" was in the 32nd round of an 1889 fight between the original Jack Dempsey and George LaBlanche. LaBlanche actually used the pivot blow twice in this fight, first time in the 26th round landing a whipping right onto the neck of Dempsey. Then in the 32nd round, Dempsey let his guard down after believing LaBlanche was out of steam, when LaBlanche again did the big pivot and landing a crushing right on the bridge of Dempsey's nose sending him to the floor and winning LaBlanche the title.
Shortly after that, the New York Boxing Commission made the blow illegal. Their reasoning apparently was out of respect for Dempsey and to prevent another poem from being written -- as one appeared in this case. From what I can find, following is an excerpt of that poem on his unmarked grave, but doesn't seem overly "disrespectful" to me.
I believe the decision was based on the lines "Tis strange New York should thus forget its bravest of the brave." Google Jack Dempsey - Nonpareil - for a better history on this phenomenal fighter and you may understand New York's interest in maintaing the dignity of this man. If anyone has the full version, please post in the comments.
Far out in the wilds of Oregon,
On a lonely mountainside,
Where Columbia’s mighty waters
Roll down to the ocean side;
Where the giant fir and cedar
Are imaged in the wave,
O’ergrown with firs and lichens,
I found Jack Dempsey’s grave.
O Fame, why sleeps thy favored son
In wilds, in woods, in weeds,
And shall he ever thus sleep on,
Interred his valiant deeds.
‘Tis strange New York should thus forget
Its bravest of the brave
And in the fields of Oregon,
Unmarked leave Dempsey’s grave
The pivot blow is a right thrown after a complete turn/pivot on heel of one foot. The boxer turns completely around often delivering it like a backhand, or even an elbow. Basically, tremendous force is generated from the acceleration of the spinning motion and their is very little control - they just let it swing.
If you're one of those people who believe boxing for fitness programs have no place in a boxing gym, for the good of boxing, maybe you need to rethink your opinion. Boxing for fitness programs can be the most important component of any new boxing club or gym, providing the necessary funds and recruitment required to sustain any competitive boxing training program.
To date, I've focused How to Box primarily on the basics and direction for people looking to compete in the sport and have neglected those of you who aren't interested in ever stepping foot in the ring. As the slogan says - "for fitness or competition", I will now be putting more effort into the boxing for fitness aspects of the site.
Much like the boxing tips portion of How to Box, I'm now launching boxing for fitness principles that are going to be focused on general fitness and how boxing can help you achieve your fitness goals whether that is to lose weight, add weight, increase athletic performance, or "insert requirement here". In my opinion, it is extremely important to grow a boxing for fitness culture in addition to cultivating boxers looking to compete both here and in offline clubs.
Are You Thinking of Opening a Boxing Club?
If anyone out there is contemplating opening a boxing club, then don't scoff at the importance of offering a boxing for fitness program. I know many gym owners that swear by their boxing for fitness curriculum and without it, would not be able to make it financially. A good, well attended boxing for fitness program will bring new boxers into your gym and fund your endeavours to train amateur boxers. Eventually, a small percentage of the boxing for fitness crowd will be converted into full fledged amateur boxers once they get a taste for it. How many will depend on how good your program is.
You see, some people don't want to fight and never will, but they do want the benefits that a boxing workout can provide. They want something different and have no intention of ever sparring with anyone, but the idea of hitting a heavybag or focus mitts, knowing they aren't going to get hit back, is exciting and just what they need to stay motivated for their training program.
Only the best known boxing gyms are strictly boxing gyms. They have built reputations and businesses around popular, successful boxers. Unfortunately for any gym starting out, unless they happen to be promoting one of the top names in boxing, they cannot follow the same business model and succeed.
A Better Boxing Business Model
For a startup boxing club, in my opinion, the best business model is a hybrid type of fitness centre offering various aerobics classes, weight rooms, and so on, in addition to boxing training. These types of gyms cast a wider net, generating more leads and more business that will fuel their boxing program. Focusing only on boxing will lead to stunted gym growth and likely failure. Pinning your hopes on having the next Mike Tyson or Lennox Lewis come walking through your door is not good business sense.
Like any business, it's a numbers game -- the more people that come through the door, the more funding you will have to play with and the better training you can offer your boxers so that, if you're lucky, you'll be able to push some of them to their ultimate potential. In terms of your boxing program, the more people that are in your gym, whether boxing for fitness or other programs, the more chance some of them will eventually end up in your boxing program.
Boxing for fitness has all the benefits of boxing, but zero of the risk which is why it appeals to a much wider cross section of society -- especially women. While female boxing is a growing sport, traditionally, there hasn't been a lot of interest in watching two women beat each other and consequently, not much desire for women to pursue boxing careers.
With the advent of boxing for fitness classes, Tae Bo, and so on, perceptions are changing and women are realizing that boxing is a lot more than fighting. Personally, I've witnessed a greater interest in boxing by women, fuelled by the benefits of the training and the speed with which the workouts deliver results.
The increase in attention and participation in women's boxing would not have been possible without boxing for fitness programs. These fitness programs have brought boxing out of the dingy, sweaty, dark, dank basements and put it in nice clean modern day facilities. Like it or not, boxing for fitness programs are probably the biggest popularity boost boxing has seen in recent years creating a resurgence in interest in the sport. How boxing gyms hoping to train amateur boxers, use these boxing for fitness programs to grow their stables is the real challenge of gyms today.
Fortunately, boxing tends to be its own best seller. Once people try it, whether it is a boxing for fitness program or a full fledged competition training plan, they are hooked. As long as coaches and trainers understand the mindset of those in each category, there is huge potential to capitalize on both.
For those interested in boxing strictly for fitness, the results speak for themselves. Nothing sissie about six pack abs, powerful muscles, and incredible endurance - or am I wrong?
Once upon a time in a land far, far away, boxing associations and weight divisions were simple. There was only a few sanctioning bodies and 8 weight divisions with one champion per division. It was very clear who was the reigning champion.
Then the 1980's came and everything changed. Sanctioning bodies sprung up all over the place. All it took was a manager or promoter with the fee and their boxer could be fighting for the XYZ world title. Hence, fans and the media started to dub all of these dubious titles a mixture of letters - or alphabet soup.
WBA logo
WBC logo
IBF logo
WBO logo
Today, there are still over 50 santioning bodies, however the boxing who's who generally recognize four as the sanctioning bodies each with their own weight divisions. They are:
- WBA - World Boxing Association - originated from the National Boxing Association and is the oldest surviving, still active world sanctioning body. 17 weight divisions.
- WBC - World Boxing Council - originated around 1963 and is based in Mexico. 17 weight divisions.
- IBF - International Boxing Federation - Created in 1983. 17 divisions. It's had a shady history with its founder - Bob Lee being sent to prison for taking bribes and tax evasion. Hit mainstream when Larry Holmes defended the title a number of times.
- WBO - World Boxing Organization - Created in 1988. 17 divisions.
As you can see, this results in 17 x 4 = 68 possible champions - 4 possible world champions per weight division depending on which sanctioning body you talk to. It is also the reason you hear the term unified belts or fights billed. To be undisputed world champion, you have to unify the belts - winning them from all 4 sanctioning bodies.
Back to back, the abbreviations of every sanctioning body would be nothing more than a jumbled array of letters - or alphabet soup.
Have you had one small success today? Perhaps, getting out of bed has been the pinnacle of your day. Well, build on that. That one small thing is the beginning of the downhill roll. Take that small success and strive for another and another. Once you get the momentum going, those small successes will turn into bigger successes until you are moving so fast that nothing can hold you back.
If you woke up today and have experienced nothing but frustration and heartache, then keep going. Look for that one thing that has gone right and move in that direction. Take a look at what you did right to achieve that success then change your behaviour to match.
Above, all, don't stop. The only possible way you can lose is if you give up. If you choose to continue fighting, you will win. It is black and white, a choice you have to make. If you settle for what you have now, that is your choice. If you are not content, it is up to you to strive for something better.
The fight is never easy. Sometimes you will be completely exhausted trying to achieve what you want. When you are spent, stop, and rest. Recharge and prepare for the next round. Then, get up and continue fighting. As long as you never quit, you will always be moving forward.
You are in this world to make a difference - we all are in our own way. It's up to you to fight your way to glory, and once you achieve it, you will experience a level of joy, contentment, and fulfillment that if you had given up, would never know.
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