Hitting the chest is legal and a good strategy to drain a fighter. BUT What of deliberately targeting HEARTS?

Question

Evander Holyfield made an art form out of jabbing directly in to a taller opponents sternum to gradually sap their strength{As he did very effectively in the second fight with Lewis. In the words of George Foreman in about the 7th round, "Lewis has no idea the toll that those jabs to the chest are taking on him. No idea"}

HOWEVER

Would a fighter like Bob Fitzsimmons, who actually "targeted the HEART as a strategy" cause controversy in this day and age of medical scrutiny? Would he be allowed to deliberately and boldly do it for an entire modern day career? Or would it just be looked at simply as his style and mindset?

Answer 1

Hitting the chest is legal and works well against several types of fighters. Many fighters don't defend that spot and it works well against fighters that like to reel back their fist when they punch. It's great against speedy fighters who move their head too much so you might even get a head shot in there. I highly recommend for it to be used against taller fighters because if you do it against a same-height or shorter boxer, they might slap it down and counter over the top with the right hand. A stiff hard punch to the chest, in general, will be felt and will stop a fighter in his tracks. This chest gives off a resounding *thud* that everyone can hear. Other than that, try not to think of it as some special kung-fu heart-stopping punch. Leave that to the movies.

Answer 2

I say just kick them in the nuts

Answer 3

protect yourself at all times. they are pros. target the elbows.

Answer 4

I know that a lot of fighters have used that strategy with success..Marciano would punch the heart  and of course anywhere else he could hit you...I think that if someone stated they were targeting the heart today there might be some grumbling but unless there is some evidence that it posed an even greater danger than all the other abuse they take then there isnt much to say. I say go for the heart!....on a side note, my dad was in a fight in his teens and losing badly decided to just punch for the guys heart....after about four shots the guy yelled " you are trying to kill me!" and quit lol

Answer 5

It is a great strategy that Holyfield used against taller opponents, mainly because its hard to jab a Lennox Lewis anywhere else. But it does sap a fighters power and will wear a fighter down, also there is a chance you could knock him out with a punch to the solar plexus.

In order to stop a fighter like Fitzsy from doing it they would have to change the rule completely, which would be impossible because whats left..It would all be head shots which could be just as deadly. So im sure people would complain, but It would be up to the fighter to defend against it. I imagine that would be the verdict.

Henry Akinwande knocked a fighter out with a punch to the chest, the guy winced in horrible pain before hitting the deck. I cant remember his name but his nick name was "Rocky"