PhD, Associate Professor K.S. Kolodeznikov¹
PhD, Associate Professor P.I. Krivoshapkin¹
Assistant E.V. Vasilyev^1
1Institute of Physical Education and Sports of  M.K. Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University, Yakutsk

Keywords: performance versatility, fitness, boxer, comparative analysis, punching accuracy, technical/ tactical mastery, boxer training process.

Background. Modern boxing sport is increasingly competitive, with the individual progress and success achievable only when the individual resource and performance are fairly tested and analyzed on a permanent basis to take a full benefit of the gifts and personality qualities critical for the competitive success and successfully master and excel the win techniques and tactics [2]. It should be noted that many leading experts recommend a special priority to be given to the pacing and punching frequency (counts) aspect for the competitive progress [1]. Modern boxing tactics is interpreted as the boxing fight control art with every tool in the boxing master’s arsenal being efficiently and effectively used as required by the fight situation and opponent’s actions, with such versatility viewed as one of the key criteria of the individual mastery. Since the modern boxing sport is increasingly competitive, every fighter trains hard to expand the technical and tactical toolkits otherwise his fighting skills may be too limited for success. We used a relatively simple competitive performance rating method applicable in any competitive event [4, 3].

Objective of the study was to analyze the competitive performance of an elite boxer to offer the training system improvement and correction recommendations for success in the top-ranking competitions.

Methods and structure of the study. An individual mastery may be rated by the power punches (with the accuracy rate) classified into the head/ body ones, defense/ offense/ counterpunches and errors per round, match or tournament on the whole. We used the following competitive fitness/ performance rating criteria:

• Total punches per round/ match;
• Straights/ jabs, hooks and uppercuts, with the accuracy rates, punches per round etc.;
• Punches/ counterpunches per round/ match classified into doubles, connections (punch+ defense+ counterpunch), block + counterpunch, pulling away + attack etc.;
• Connections (2-, 3- punch ones etc.) per match;
• Defense actions per round/ match (slipping, bobbing, footwork, pulls away etc.);
• Tactical actions per round/ match (attack, defense, counterattack);
• Errors per round/ match (dangerous head moves, open-glove punches etc.);  and
• Repeated (2-, 3-, 4-punch etc.) connections/ combinations.

Subject to the tests was a Russian national boxing team member (Class 1 athlete, Master of Sport) competing in the 64 kg weight class. We analyzed the subject’s performance in the 2015 Grand Prix Tula (4 fights, champion title), 2015 Russian Boxing Championship (3 fights, place 5), 2016 FEFT Cup (3 fights, champion title), and the 2017 Locomotive Association Cup (3 fights, champion title).

Results and discussion. Given on Figures 1 and 2 are the competitive performance analyses, with at least 2 fights analyzed in every event. Thus Figure 1 shows that in the 2015 Grand Prix Tula semi-finals that subject’s performance was rated high-intensity with multiple punches and combinations – as the fighter trained hard and purposefully to be highly mentally and physically fit for the event. His rivals in the event were a Master and a Candidate Master of Sport, the highly competitive opponents.

In the top-8 matches of the 2015 Russian Boxing Championship the fighter had to compete with a few elite boxers from Saint Petersburg and Perm. He managed to win due to the highest determination and concentration as verified by the performance rating data – see Figure 1. In the 2016 FEFT Cup semi-final matches, however, the fighter was not at his best in the physical fitness and functionality domains.

Upon promotion to the 69kg weight class, the fighter was tested with the stable competitive performance without extremities, and the growing punching intensity – as verified by the 2017 Locomotive Association Cup semifinals and finals. It should be emphasized that the promotion to the higher weight class was preceded by special hard physical trainings and muscular mass accumulation procedures facilitated by an individual psychological service.

Figure 2 hereunder demonstrates the tactical and technical performance rates being relatively unstable, with particularly poor performance in the 2015 Russian Boxing Championship quarterfinal when the fighter made 27 errors per match and widely abused holdups, clinches etc. – mostly for the tactical purposes.

Figure 1. Punching statistics of the master

Figure 2. Technical/ tactical performance rates of the master

Conclusion. The study data and analyses gave the grounds to rate the competitive performance, pace and rhythm as stable and sustainable to recommend qualification for the 69kg weight class based on the speed and performance rates. The training system was recommended being corrected as required for success in the 69kg weight class.

References

1. Bestinov R.V., Kolodeznikov K.S. Comparative analysis of elite WSB boxers' competitive performance data. Teoriya i praktika fiz. kultury, 2016, no.11, p. 79.
2. Jeroyan G.O., Khudadov N.A. Tactical training of boxers. Boxing. Yearbook, 1981.
3. Mokeev G.I., Rudenko G.V. Boxers' training process design and content within half-year training macrocycle. Teoriya i praktika fiz. kultury, 2017. no. 5, pp. 72-74.
4. Shirokovets A.E., Lybina I.L., Shustin B.N. Comprehensive assessment of criteria for special fitness and adaptation reactions of body of elite athletes. Teoriya i praktika fiz. kultury.  2017. no. 2. pp. 74-76.

Corresponding author: KKirsan@mail

Abstract

Modern boxing sport is increasingly competitive, with the individual progress and success achievable only when the individual resource and performance is fairly tested and analyzed on a permanent basis to take a full benefit of the gifts and personality qualities critical for the competitive success and successfully master and excel the win techniques and tactics. Objective of the study was to analyze the competitive performance of an elite boxer to offer the training system improvement and correction recommendations for success in the top-ranking competitions. The study included analyses of the theoretical and practical study reports and analyses of the competitive video records of a Russian Master of Sport, a national team member. Subject to analysis were the total punches classified into the body/ head punches, defense/ attack actions, and errors per round, match and tournament on the whole – for the performance analyzing purposes. We analyzed the subject’s performance in the 2015 Grand Prix Tula (4 fights, champion title), 2015 Russian Boxing Championship (3 fights, place 5), 2016 FEFT Cup (3 fights, champion title), and the 2017 Locomotive Association Cup (3 fights, champion title). The study data and analyses gave the grounds to rate the competitive performance, pace and rhythm as stable and sustainable to recommend qualification for the 69kg weight class based on the speed and performance rates. The training system was recommended being corrected as required for success in the 69kg weight class.