Boxing

====Boxer/out-fighter====
[[File:Muhammad Ali NYWTS.jpg|thumb|Heavyweight champion [[Muhammad Ali]] was a typical example of an out-fighter.]]

A classic "boxer" or stylist (also known as an "out-fighter") seeks to maintain distance between himself and his opponent, fighting with faster, longer range punches, most notably the jab, and gradually wearing his opponent down. Due to this reliance on weaker punches, out-fighters tend to win by point decisions rather than by knockout, though some out-fighters have notable knockout records. They are often regarded as the best boxing strategists due to their ability to control the pace of the fight and lead their opponent, methodically wearing him down and exhibiting more skill and finesse than a brawler.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boxingbeginners.com/how_to_box_styles.php|title=Learn about the different boxing styles. BoxingBeginners.com, the main source of Boxing for Beginners, learn how to box!|access-date=22 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150311194656/http://boxingbeginners.com/how_to_box_styles.php|archive-date=11 March 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Out-fighters need reach, hand speed, reflexes, and footwork.

Notable out-fighters include [[Muhammad Ali]], [[Larry Holmes]], [[Joe Calzaghe]], [[Wilfredo Gómez]], [[Salvador Sánchez]], [[Cecilia Brækhus]], [[Gene Tunney]],<ref>James Roberts and Alexander Skutt, ''The Boxing Register'', 1999, p.162</ref> [[Ezzard Charles]],<ref>James Roberts and Alexander Skutt, ''The Boxing Register'', 1999, p.254</ref> [[Willie Pep]],<ref>James Roberts and Alexander Skutt, ''The Boxing Register'', 1999, p.384</ref> [[Meldrick Taylor]], [[Ricardo López (boxer)|Ricardo "Finito" López]], [[Floyd Mayweather Jr.]], [[Roy Jones Jr.]], [[Sugar Ray Leonard]], [[Miguel Vázquez]], [[Sergio Martínez (boxer)|Sergio "Maravilla" Martínez]], [[Wladimir Klitschko]] and [[Guillermo Rigondeaux]]. This style was also used by fictional boxer [[Apollo Creed]].

=====Boxer-puncher=====
A boxer-puncher is a well-rounded boxer who is able to fight at close range with a combination of technique and power, often with the ability to knock opponents out with a combination and in some instances a single shot. Their movement and tactics are similar to that of an out-fighter (although they are generally not as mobile as an out-fighter),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxing.com/the_15_greatest_composite_punchers_of_all_time.html|title=The 15 Greatest Composite Punchers of All Time|website=Boxing.com|access-date=22 September 2014|archive-date=30 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130203132/http://www.boxing.com/the_15_greatest_composite_punchers_of_all_time.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> but instead of winning by decision, they tend to wear their opponents down using combinations and then move in to score the knockout. A boxer must be well rounded to be effective using this style.

Notable boxer-punchers include Muhammad Ali, [[Canelo Álvarez]], Sugar Ray Leonard, Roy Jones Jr., Wladimir Klitschko, [[Vasyl Lomachenko]], [[Lennox Lewis]], [[Joe Louis]],<ref>James Roberts, [[Roberto Durán]] and Alexander Skutt, ''The Boxing Register'', 1999, p.337</ref> Wilfredo Gómez, [[Oscar De La Hoya]], [[Archie Moore]], [[Miguel Cotto]], [[Nonito Donaire]], [[Sam Langford]],<ref>James Roberts and Alexander Skutt, ''The Boxing Register'', 1999, p.120</ref> [[Henry Armstrong]],<ref>James Roberts and Alexander Skutt, Joe Frazier, ''The Boxing Register'', 1999, p.204</ref> [[Sugar Ray Robinson]],<ref>James Roberts and Alexander Skutt, ''The Boxing Register'', 1999, p.403</ref> [[Tony Zale]], [[Carlos Monzón]],<ref>James Roberts and Alexander Skutt, ''The Boxing Register'', 1999, p.353,</ref> [[Alexis Argüello]], [[Érik Morales]], [[Terry Norris (boxer)|Terry Norris]], [[Marco Antonio Barrera]], [[Naseem Hamed]], [[Thomas Hearns]], [[Julian Jackson (boxer)|Julian Jackson]] and [[Gennady Golovkin]].

=====Counter puncher=====
[[Counterpunch (boxing)|Counter punchers]] are slippery, defensive style fighters who often rely on their opponent's mistakes in order to gain the advantage, whether it be on the score cards or more preferably a knockout. They use their well-rounded defense to avoid or block shots and then immediately catch the opponent off guard with a well placed and timed punch. A fight with a skilled counter-puncher can turn into a war of attrition, where each shot landed is a battle in itself. Thus, fighting against counter punchers requires constant feinting and the ability to avoid telegraphing one's attacks. To be truly successful using this style they must have good reflexes, a high level of prediction and awareness, pinpoint accuracy and speed, both in striking and in footwork.

Notable counter punchers include Muhammad Ali, Joe Calzaghe, [[Vitali Klitschko]], [[Evander Holyfield]], [[Max Schmeling]], [[Chris Byrd]], [[James J Corbett|Jim Corbett]], [[Jack Johnson (boxer)|Jack Johnson]], [[Bernard Hopkins]], [[Laszlo Papp]], [[Jerry Quarry]], [[Anselmo Moreno]], [[James Toney]], [[Marvin Hagler]], [[Juan Manuel Márquez]], [[Humberto Soto]], [[Floyd Mayweather Jr.]], [[Roger Mayweather]], [[Pernell Whitaker]], Sergio Martínez and Guillermo Rigondeaux. This style of boxing is also used by fictional boxer [[Little Mac (Punch-Out!!)|Little Mac]].

Counter punchers usually wear their opponents down by causing them to miss their punches. The more the opponent misses, the faster they tire, and the psychological effects of being unable to land a hit will start to sink in. The counter puncher often tries to outplay their opponent entirely, not just in a physical sense, but also in a mental and emotional sense. This style can be incredibly difficult, especially against seasoned fighters, but winning a fight without getting hit is often worth the pay-off. They usually try to stay away from the center of the ring, in order to outmaneuver and chip away at their opponents. A large advantage in counter-hitting is the forward momentum of the attacker, which drives them further into your return strike. As such, knockouts are more common than one would expect from a defensive style.