R.V. Bestinov
Associate Professor, PhD K.S. Kolodeznikov
Institute of Physical Culture and Sports under M.K. Ammosov NEFU, Republic of Sakha, Yakutia

Keywords: boxing, comparative analysis, punch accuracy, technical and tactical skills, athletic training.

Background. Having analyzed the competitive performance records on elite WSB boxers, one may see with confidence that the athletes notably changed their fight control toolkits and responses to potential fight situations since the new boxing rules of competitions were put into effect.

Objective of the study was to make a comparative analysis of the elite WSB boxers’ competitive performance data.

Methods and structure of the study. To rate efficiency of attacking actions under the study, we applied the ratio of the total thrown punches to the punches on target, i.e. the punching efficiency ratio of PER =n/N, where n means the punches on target and N means the total thrown punches.

Subject to the elite WSB boxers’ competitive performance analyses were the light flyweight (49 kg) and flyweight (52 kg) fight video records for the period of 2014-2015, with the boxers’ names being coded as A, B, C and D for confidentiality and ethical reasons. It should be noted that the competitive performance rates as they are traditionally referred to by the combat sport practitioners imply the following: activity and versatility of the actions and technical and tactical skills applied in the fight. In the present study, however, the competitive performance rates were assumed to include the following: total punches thrown per round/ fight (for each hand, with the hit area being fixed); counts of attacks/ counterattacks per round/ fight; counts of serial attacks per round/ fight; count of the defensive actions per round/ fight; total tactical actions per round/ fight; counts of the rule violations per round/ fight; counts of the repeated attacks/ combinations. The punches were classified into the total thrown punches and punches on target. It was the mean arithmetic value of the total thrown punches that was applied as a key activity rate in the study.

Study results and discussion. The analyses made under the study showed that (see Figure 1 hereunder) the target hitting success of Boxer A was estimated at 19.24% for the whole fight, the rate being slightly under the current boxing sport average, with due consideration for the fact that not every punch in the boxing sport is thrown with the intent to hit the target. There are quite many false, light, testing, provoking, preparatory and distance-controlling punches in any fight intended to test the opponents’ defence, prepare/ conceal attacks, cut the distance for attack or neutralize an opponent’s attack. The round-wise data analysis showed the total punches thrown for the first three rounds averaging at around 85 punches per round; and in the last three rounds the rate was found to drop to about 72 punches per round that is indicative of the fight pace being slowed down. It should be noted that a high functional fitness implies that a boxer is able to at least maintain the fight pace for the whole fight and even increase it from round to round when the occasion requires.

The target hitting success of Boxer B was estimated at 11.83% for the whole fight, the rate being notably under the current boxing sport average, even with due consideration for the fact that not every punch in the boxing sport is thrown with the intent to hit the target. The round-wise data analysis showed the total thrown punches averaging at around 74 per round, the rate being indicative of the slow pace of the fight. The target hitting success of Boxer B was rated as low.

Competitive performance of Boxer C was measured by the following rates: target hitting success of was estimated at 16.75% for the whole fight, the rate being slightly under the current boxing sport average, even with due consideration for the fact that not every punch in boxing sport is thrown with the intent to hit the target. Furthermore, the Boxer C was found to be well technically and tactically fit; with the punches being reasonably versatile by intents and targets; however, the fight intensity rate was found to fall by the end of the fight. The round-wise data analysis showed the total punches thrown for the first two rounds averaging at some 62 punches per round; and in the last three rounds the rate was found to drop to some 49 punches per round that is indicative of the fight pace being very slow. Therefore, Boxer C is recommended to give a high priority to the fight pace being maintained in the training process so as to be able to increase the fight intensity by the end rather than let it drop down.

The target hitting success of Boxer D was estimated at 22.75% for the whole fight, the rate being slightly under the current boxing sport average. It should be noted that his punches to the head are precise and heavy, and he “jacks up” the pace of the fight by the end of every round, albeit the opponent was effective in coping with the pace of the fight. It may be indicative of either the opponent being well prepared for the fight or Boxer D being inefficient in terms of punches to the body to undermine the opponent’s endurance.

Figure 1. Punching efficiency analysis

Conclusion. The comparative analysis of the elite WSB boxers' competitive performance data resulted in the conclusion that every WSB boxer subject to the study showed reasonably good physical, functional, technical and tactical fitness rates. Since all the WSB boxers showed virtually the same skills and performance standards, each of them may win tournaments. Fights were rated as highly competitive. However, each boxer is recommended to work hard to expand his personal arsenal of technical and tactical action and never rest assured that the same set of standard actions is good for every opponent.

Simplicity of the competitive performance rating calculations makes the analytical procedure applicable in practice for every kind of competitions.

References

1. Akopyan A.O. Analiz kharakteristik sorevnovatel'noy deyatel'nosti kak faktor postroeniya trenirovochnogo protsessa v edinoborstvakh (Analysis of characteristics of competitive performance as a factor in design of training process in martial arts) / A.O. Akopyan, A.A. Novikov. – Moscow: ARSRIPC (VNIIFK), 1985. – 18 p.
2. Demin V.A. Sportivnaya deyateln'ost' v teorii funktsional'noy sistemy (Sport activity in functional system theory) / V.A. Demin, R.A. Piloyan // Pedagogika, psikhologiya: Sport v sovremennom obshchestve (Pedagogics. Psychology: Sport in modern society): Proc. Intern. Scientific Congress. - Moscow. SCOLIPE (GTsOLIFK), 1980. – P. 192-193.

Corresponding author: bestinoff@mail.ru

Abstract

The comparative analysis of the elite WSB boxers competitive performance data was completed to rate the athletes’ fitness levels in the context of the latest revision of the rules of competitions followed by the relevant adjustments to the training process. The analysis was designed to highlight the competitive advantages and drawbacks of the athletes and gives a basis for targeted adjustments to the boxers’ precompetitive training and conditioning plans. The comparative analysis of the elite WSB boxers' competitive performance data resulted in the conclusion that every WSB boxer subject to the study showed reasonably good physical, functional, technical and tactical fitness rates. Since all the WSB boxers showed virtually the same skills and performance standards, each of them may win tournaments. However, each boxer is recommended to work hard to expand his personal arsenal of technical and tactical action and never rest assured that the same set of standard actions is good for every opponent. Simplicity of the competitive performance rating calculations makes the analytical procedure applicable in practice for every kind of competitions.