The overhand right is a powerful boxing blow that often leads to a knockout when it is landed cleanly. Most boxers will use their left jab to set up power punches and the overhand right is a devastating shot that usually is delivered to the chin, mouth, nose, eyes or temple. A top-level fighter can deliver this punch as long as he gets a small opening to unleash it.
Set Up
On occasion, boxers will come out of the corner, move to the center of the ring and fire an overhand right to the chin of an unsuspecting opponent. This usually does not work because the overhand right or straight right hand has to be set up with a left jab. Hitting your opponent with quick left jabs and circling to your left will give you a better chance to throw a powerful overhand right.
Technique
Your weight should be on the ball of your foot that does the punching. Spin your right heel and then drive your right knee down. Rotate your hips at the same time and drive your right hand on a straight line toward your opponent's chin or any other area that you want to punch. Turn or pronate your wrist as you deliver the punch to have the most impact.
Follow Up
In most fights, one big punch will not knock out an opponent. That requires punch combinations. After you throw your overhand right, you should be in a good position to follow up with a left hook. After that punch is thrown, add another right hand before starting another punch sequence. Any time you throw a power punch, you must be careful to keep the punches short and on line. If you have a wide stance or take a long delivery before swinging your fist, you will find yourself off balance after delivering a punch and vulnerable to an attack by your opponent.
Power Right Hand Punchers
The heavyweight division has seen some of the top right-hand punchers in the history of boxing. Rocky Marciano had a classic overhand right and he finished his career with a 49-0 record that included 43 knockouts. Powerful George Foreman was one of the heavyweight division's staunchest punchers. He had 69 knockouts during his career and finished with a 76-5 record. Mike Tyson was the best puncher of the 1980s and registered 44 knockouts, with a career mark of 50-6.
Posted in: Boxing