Boxing Styles: A Definitive List

In boxing, there are various styles used within the sport. All of the different boxing styles have their advantages and weaknesses, which really makes a fight a game of chess.

Here is our definitive list of all of the different boxing styles. Read below about these effective styles below and some of the famous boxers who used them.

Out-Boxer

One of the most used boxing styles used by long and rangy fighters is the out-boxer boxing style. Fighters who use this boxing style tend to have the reach on their opponents and use it to their advantage.

When an out-boxer is fighting, they will work to control the distance by maintaining good footwork and using their jab. Along with using their jab, an out-boxer will also look to time their opponent coming in to land hard counters.

Arguably the best out-boxer of all time is undefeated legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. Mayweather was a ring general, who was able to control the distance and out-strike his opponents.

Pressure Fighter(Swarmer) 

One of the fan favorite boxing styles which fans love is the pressure fighting styles. Swarming or pressure fighters prefer to quickly close the distance and relentlessly attack their opponent.

Fighters who use this boxing style are often the most aggressive fighters and tend to have good conditioning. Their aim is to overwhelm their opponent with a high volume of hard strikes.

Some of the most famous pressure fighters include legends like Julio Caesar Chavez, Jake LaMotta, and Henry Armstrong. One of the most popular pressure fighters of the modern era is Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz.

Counterpuncher 

Arguably one of the most effective boxing styles in existence is the counterpuncher. A counter puncher is a defensive fighter, who looks to use his opponents aggression against them to land powerful counters.

Counter punchers are known for their great defensive skills and ability to lay traps for their opponents. They will read their opponent’s timing in order to place hard and precise strikes to land points or get a KO.

Counter punching has always been part of boxing and a style many of the all-time greats used. Some of the legends who used counter punching were Jack Johnson, Juan Manuel Marquez, and the great Muhammad Ali.

Power Puncher(Slugger) 

One of the most favorite boxing styles among fight fans is the power puncher or slugger. A slugger or power puncher is a fighter who possesses knockout power in their hands.

They have the ability to knock their opponents lights out with one punch and can end a fight at any time. A power puncher can lose every round of a fight, but can reset everything by landing a power shot.

Some of the most famous power punchers in the history of the sport include Deontay Wilder, Jack Dempsey, and George Foreman. George Foreman famously won the world title in his comeback with a one-punch KO after losing the majority of his fight. 

Boxer-Puncher 

What many believe to be the best among the different boxing styles is the boxer-puncher style. A boxer-puncher combines the elements of various boxing styles and puts them into one effective fighting style.

Boxer-punchers will control the range like an outboxer, timing of a counter-puncher, and aggression of a pressure fighter. They are good at all facets of fighting and can win a fight by various methods.

One of the best boxer-punchers ever and arguably a boxing GOAT is the great Sugar Ray Robinson. Sugar Ray was a complete fighter, who could beat his opponents in various ways. This is why everyone reveres Robinson as an all-time legend.

Brawler 

Another one of the fan favorite boxing styles that fans love is the brawl. A brawler is similar to a pressure fighter, but relies on more heart and grit than skill.

Brawlers will throw caution to the wind and be more than willing to have a toe-to-toe battle. They are nearly 100% offense and don’t care about getting hit.

All brawlers will gladly take punches if they can deliver hard punches of their own. This isn’t the safest boxing style, but the fans love them.

Arguably the greatest brawls in boxing history were the Micky Ward and Arturo Gatti trilogy. 

Southpaw

One of the boxing styles that gives conventional fighters fits is the southpaw style. A southpaw is a boxer who fights in the left-handed boxing stance.

Fighting in the southpaw stance is off-putting for many boxers, who primarily fight in a traditional or right-handed stance. Southpaw fighters use in of the fighting styles mentioned here and be effective fighters.

Some of the greatest southpaw fighters of all time include Joe Calzaghe, Manny Pacquaio, Naseem Hamed, Pernell Whitaker, and Andre Ward.

Switch Hitter 

Switch hitters are one of the most dangerous of the different boxing styles. A switch hitter will fight in a conventional right-handed stance, as well from the southpaw stance.

Fighters who can fight in both right and left-handed stances have the ability to confuse their opponents. Being able to fight in both stances gives switch hitters a strategic advantage and opens up more possibilities for them.

One legendary fighter known for being a switch hitter was Marvelous Marvin Hagler. Marvin was known for his aggressive style and could knock his opponents out fighting as a left or righty.

Peek-A-Boo

The peek-a-boo boxing style is a popular boxing style created by legendary trainer Cus D’Amato. Cus created a tight boxing stance, where a fighter holds up their hands higher than traditional guards.

Users of the peek-a-boo style move forward as they bob and weave their opponents strikes to land powerful strikes. This is a perfect boxing style for stocky power punchers to get in and land knockout blows.

D’Amato famously taught his peek-a-boo style to heavyweight legends Floyd Patterson and Iron Mike Tyson.

Philly Shell(Shoulder Roll)

The Philly shell is one of the most advanced and effective boxing styles ever created. In the Philly shell stance, boxers stand at an angle, while keeping their back hand up.

The front hand stays down, across a boxer’s body to invite their opponent in to deliver an attack. When the opponent attacks, the boxer in the Philly shell will roll their shoulder to evade punches.

As they’re shoulder rolling, they will also look to counter their opponent with precise and powerful strikes. One of the legendary boxers who made the Philly shell famous was multi-time champion Bernard Hopkins.

Hitman(Long Range Power Puncher) 

There are various hybrid boxing styles which mix the best of different styles like the boxer-puncher. Another one of those effective hybrid styles is the hitman or long range power puncher.

As the name suggests, this boxing style is a mix of an out-boxer and a power puncher. This is a fighter, who likes to use the range, but possesses knockout power.

Many call this style the hitman style, which is named after the great Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns. Tommy Hearns was tall with a great jab, but he also possessed knockout power to end a fight at any time. 

He is the embodiment of this style, which is why it was named after him.

Pure Boxer 

Pure boxers are the most technically sound of all of the boxing styles. A pure boxer is known as a master tactician with an incredible skill set. 

Everything from their footwork, range control, defense, and counters are incredible. They will often win their fights simply by outclassing their opponents and showing superior skills.

Willie Pep and Pernell Whitaker were two champions who embodied the pure boxer style. They would use their incredible skills to outclass their opponents to win decisions.

It is said that Willie Pep even won a round without throwing a single punch.

Unorthodox Styles

There are some boxing styles that can’t be categorized into any one type of style. Some unique boxers made their own unorthodox styles and became famous for it. 

Two famous unorthodox styles that fight fans first think of include Emmanuel Augustus and Prince Naseem. Emmanuel Augustus used what was called a drunken boxing style, where he’d move like he was drunk.

Prince Naseem was an incredibly skilled champion, who had a big personality and liked to be flashy. He’d often dance around and throw punches from weird angles to KO his opponents.

Mexican Style 

Each region of the world has their own unique boxing style that they use. One of the most known and effective of these regional styles is the Mexican boxing style.

The Mexican boxing style sets itself apart by being known for having the quintessential Mexican warrior spirit. It’s a mix of an aggressive pressure and brawling style with crisp combos where you never stop fighting.

Fighting is ingrained into Mexico culture and the Mexican boxing style is a reflection of it. Warriors like Julio Caesar Chavez and Canelo Alvarez embody this style.

The Soviet Style

During the era of the USSR, Soviet Russia created one of the most effective boxing styles ever. The Soviet boxing style is a mix of outboxing, pure boxing, and a counter-punching style.

It’s a technique-driven style with no wasted movement. Russian fighters are known for their impeccable skills, precision, and ability to control the tempo of a fight.

During the early to late 2000s, the effectiveness of this style was put on display during the Klitschko brothers’ title reigns. Today, light heavyweight great Dmitry Bivol proves how effective the Soviet boxing style is.

The Cuban Style

The last style that we must spotlight on our list of the boxing styles is the great Cuban boxing style. For decades, the nation of Cuba has had a stranglehold on amateur boxing with their incredible boxing style.

It’s a beautiful style of boxing that blends technical prowess and strategic finesse. This style emphasizes defensive mastery and precision punching.

The Cuban boxing style is one of the hardest puzzles to solve, which is why they dominate amateur boxing.