Is peek-a-boo style too taxing? Is that the reason Tyson changed his style?

[Oliverlogan263]

The style is taxing; that's why it's good if you're heavier. It's not meant for lanky or volume punchers; only those with powerful hooks and uppercuts make sense. The movement is relatively easy to practice, but the pace and cardio management of the style are the most challenging. Yes, you make fast, explosive movements that even a healthy reflex can't catch, but for how long are you able to continue doing that in a 12-round fight?

Is Peek-a-boo aka "tight defense" boxing the perfect self-defense system?

Yes

No

[Joshydavid25]

Yeah it seems as though it is since hardly any boxers use it.. You need sped and voracity to maintain it because it uses a lot of stamina since you're using quick, intense movements.. With good conditioning and cardio, you could maintain it for a long time.. But most boxers prefer not to use so much short burst of energy.

[Oliverlogan263]

I agree, What was eye-catching to me while watching Tyson at his peak was how every punch he threw was meant to maim his opponent. It's not like he threw anything soft to set up a big shot. His set-up shots were big shots! As soon as the bell rang, u got the feeling that the fight could end at any time because of his speed, power, and volume. At the same time, he was not wild or careless. He was also very difficult to tag. Prior to Tyson, I was used to seeing a guy like Larry Holmes establish the jab first and take his time before opening up. Tyson fought as if he had somewhere else he needed to be!

[Oliverlogan263]

The peek-a-boo boxing style is high risk, requires a very specific skill-set & is very energy intensive. This being the case, it favours youth & aggression type fighters & it clearly isn’t suited to many boxers who do NOT possess the pre-requisite tool -box…... If you can’t stand the heat then stay out of the kitchen!

Plus do you think the style cause back problems later in life as you age?

[Joshydavid25]

Yep Peek a boo was Tyson's style.. And it surely seems as if you would develop back problems if you kept on with it for years, but I guess that depends on your back, or if you use your knees more than your back I think it wouldn't be a problem for your back.. Now your knees.. I don't know.. LOL..

[Drewtate]

Depends on your level of conditioning. Prime tyson could go 12 rounds easy. A lot of modern heavyweights can't make it past 6 rounds before they gas.

[Oliverlogan263]

It takes almost a young man’s voraciously to consistently be successful with it. To be successful with the peek-a-boo you need speed and you need to maintain that speed and intensity for as long as it takes. Few men would be cut out for this particular style.

Yes Mike did lose the level of stamina to fully use the style. I will say that I do believe Tyson could have maintained his conditioning for many more years if things had gone differently for him. If, lol, if.

[Drewtate]

A lot of big heavyweights struggle with their conditioning, cruiserweight, middleweight l, lightweights would have less problem.
Tyson stopped trained and threw away a lot of the fundamentals of the style ie the use of the jab. He got rid of Kevin Rooney and other trainers tried to train him differently.

[DJB72]

Styles have changed over the years. Watch Foreman in his early fights - especially Vs Ali - and compare his last couple. Heavier fighters need different styles is all.

Ali in his prime would have creamed Tyson - something Tyson himself has said - but his real advantage was his speed. Modern heavyweight boxers are on average 20-30lbs heavier than Ali at his peak and move slower as a result - but when the speed blasts through their defensive stance protects them. Mostly.