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What are the four basic punches used in boxing?
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boxing
Manny Pacquiao (right) and Floyd Mayweather, Jr., in their 2015 welterweight bout; Mayweather won in a unanimous decision.
In the sport of boxing, there are four fundamental punches from which all other variations are derived. These essential techniques are:
- Jab: A straight punch delivered with the lead hand, moving directly outward from the shoulder.1
- Hook: A short, lateral blow thrown with the lead hand, utilizing a bent elbow and an inward twist of the wrist at the point of impact.1
- Uppercut: An upward-directed blow delivered with either hand, originating from the direction of the toes.21
- Straight punch: Often called a "cross" or a "straight right" (or "straight left" for a southpaw), this is thrown at shoulder level using the back hand, typically as a follow-up to a jab.1