by Jason Medina

Created on: March 01, 2008

The left jab. The most basic punch in the arsenal of a professional boxer. The punch that sets up the other, more flashy punches in boxing: right cross, left hook, and uppercut. It's a simple and straightforward punch, and it doesn't elicit the "ooh's" and "ahh's" when it lands as do the punches in boxing, but a good left jab can do wonders for a boxer's career. It creates opening, it helps to keep your opponent at bay and off balance, and it can preoccupy your opponent while you are timing him for the more lethal punches in your arsenal. And above all, a left jab is a great tool for scoring points. There have been many great jabbers in the world of professional boxing - fighters who owe their tremendous accomplishments and successes in the ring to the effectiveness of their left jabs. And no fighter utilized, and relied upon, his left jab to the degree that Larry Holmes did.

Larry Holmes, the heavyweight boxing champion of the world from 1978 to 1985, made over 20 consecutive title defenses as champion. He fought them all. And until he lost a close decision to Michael Spinks in 1985, Holmes had his hand raised after every one of his championship fights! And the left jab was a huge part of Holmes' success in the ring. Although never a big punching heavyweight - Holmes' power was always fairly mediocre - he beat his fair share of big, powerful punching fighters because of his educated left jab. At 6'3" with an 80" reach, Holmes' had the wingspan and leverage to really stick his jab out there with force; he'd put his shoulder into his jab and really snap it. And he was quick with it! Holmes could double and triple up on his jab, and often would turn his hook over right after the last jab landed. Instead of just using his jab as a range finder as many other fighters do, Holmes used his jab as a real punch! And it was a thing of beauty! He could control entire fights with his jab, and more often than not he'd take away his opponents strengths by pole axing them with his jab.

Yes, in the world of professional boxing, the left jab is a very important punch. And Larry Holmes has got to be rated at or near the top in discussing fighters with the best left jabs!

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