How important are body shots?

Question

Does this more or less depend on the style of fighter you are fighting? Where should you focus you blows (ie: ribs, gut, etc.)?

Answer 1

Well, they're vitally important, of course. You can end a fight with a good bodyshot. To answer the second part of your question, it doesn't matter your opponent's style, since you would be attempting to impose your will on him and making him fight your fight (or that's what you should be doing, anyway!). Finally, where to hit... well, there's one punch which has won World Championships- Left hook to the body, aka, "Liver shot". To quote former World Champion Sean O'Grady, when asked what a "liver shot" felt like:"I can't describe the pain...your heart hurts..."

Where is it located, you may ask? Stand up straight, and look down- MAKE A FIST AND PUT IT FLAT WITH YOUR KNUCKLES AGAINST YOUR STOMACH RIGHT ABOVE YOUR NAVEL, AS IF YOU WERE PUNCHING YOURSELF. NOW, SLIDE YOUR FIST TO THE RIGHT OF YOUR STOMACH- IT SHOULD END UP TO THE RIGHT OF YOUR ABDOMINAL MUSCLES AND RIGHT BELOW THE LOWEST POINT OF YOUR RIBCAGE. That's the spot you want to aim at, and it won't matter how big or musclebound anyone is. If you hit someone there, they'll take one step, maybe two, and suddenly collapse in agony. Enjoy!

Answer 2

I view body shots as more important than head shots. If you get hit in the head the lasting effect is only for a few seconds. But a well placed body shot to a floating rib on either side of the rib cage directed in a slightly upward angle will be felt for many rounds and can result in a KO. View the Jeremy Williams vs "the Boss" Bostich. Bostich was KO'ed in the first rd. by a left hook to the body. If you hit the left side of the body with a right hand the heart tends to miss a beat, if you hit the right side with a left hook you get the liver either side will definily slow a fighter down in the latter rds. and can cause ko on there own. Also a blow to the solar plexas in the middle of the body just blow were the ribs come to gether can also Ko a person.Bob Fitsimmons a rather small heavyweight won the title from James J.Corbett with that punch to become the 3rd heavy weight champion in the modern era.

Answer 3

CR4Life ~
In my opinion, Fight fans love when a guy/girl lands a huge head shot were the opponents head snaps back or to the side, the crowd will OOOH and HAAAA, but a lot of fighters can shack off those shots if they land or they can pull a Roberto Duran and roll with the punch so it actually looks a lot harder but the effect isn't the same.
When you catch a fighter with a well place left hook to the body, especially the short rib and liver, the effects can be devastating. Bernard Hopkins dropped a in shape De La Hoya six pack and all. Mickey Ward vs Emmanuel Augustus, Mickey was so far behind on the cards alls it took is one well placed left hook, fight over. Roy Jones vs Virgil Hill, Hill dropped to his knees and stayed there for ten minutes.
If you're facing a fast fighter, well placed body shots will slow him/her down. The best left hook to the body in my opinion was thrown by Sugar Ray Robinson, he would double and triple it, a very close second would be Julio Cesar Chavez these two threw that punch so precise they didn't need head shots to stop the other fighter. They would throw their left hook on a right handed fighter right behind their right elbow and it would paralyze their opponent. Hector Camacho urinated pure blood for three days after his fight against Chavez.
A lot of fighters love the head shots because they are the most dramatic, but me, I love a well placed left hook to the body.
Thanks CR4Life.

Answer 4

The Classic example of a useful body shots is the Erik Morales VS. Manny Pacquiao Fight.

Fight no 1: Pacquiao hurt morales in the body in the first round but as the fight Progress Pacquiao becomes a Head Hunter and did do any Body Punching Result Morales Wins a Close UD 12

Fight no. 2 : This time Pacquiao Adjusted He went to the Body the whole fight, Lossing the Earlier but the body Punches getting its toll to Morales Body and Pacquiao won by TKO 10

The importance of body shots is that it weaker your opponents, even the most conditioned Opponent becomes Weaker due to coninuous Punchhes Receive in the Body.

Another good Example is Hopkins Versus De la Hoya.

Seldom that a body Punching can make a one punch KO but its very Effective in Weathring down your Opponent.

Answer 5

body shots are vitally important, no matter what style you are fighting. The torso is a much larger target than the head and is always open for a counterpunch. a fighter sustaining a barrage of body shots over the course of a fight will find himself bringing his guard (elbows and forearms) lower to protect his ribs, hence opening up his head to potential punishment. Also, recieving punches to the body brings your head a little lower, and closer to your opponents fists! Blows to the body make it hard to breathe.
focus your blows right below the rib cage and the solar plexus (bread basket)

Answer 6

Very! Kill the body and the head will follow. ALso, if you keep beating up on the body the opponent will drop their hands to protect their body and give you a great shot to the head!

Answer 7

Ask Dom Deluise when he got into a drunken brawl with Don Knotts. The big man was flattened with Don's foot work and speed.

Answer 8

very good for slowing down your opponent,a good body shot will drop u quicke than a head shot.

Answer 9

face and the side of his head along with some gut shots
mix it up a little

Answer 10

if you manage to hurt your opponent with body shots it will drain his energy, effect his morale and will force him to cover his body leaving him easier for a shot to the head.