Boxing Mastery: Advanced Technique, Tactics, and Strategies from the Sweet Science [Paperback]

Mark Hatmaker (Author), Doug Werner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2004

This guide to the finer points of boxing provides the wisdom needed to make the transition from enthusiastic beginner to proficient pugilist. The ABCs of ring generalship, offensive and defensive ring movements, feints, and draws and fakes are examined and explained along with clinching techniques, head-hunting, body work, and counter-punching chains. Strategies for boxing against tall and short opponents as well as for a variety of fighting styles such as charger, speed-demon, stick-and-move, and slugger and brawler are discussed in detail. Specific drills focus on sophisticated ring stratagems such as throwing complex combinations, cutting off the ring, fighting off the ropes, generating power, and cornering an opponent are included.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mark Hatmaker is the author of No Holds Barred Fighting and More No Holds Barred Fighting. He lives in Knoxville, Tennessee. Doug Werner is the author of Boxer's Start-Up and Fighting Fit. He lives in San Diego, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Tracks Publishing (October 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1884654215
• ISBN-13: 978-1884654213
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #428,661 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mark Hatmaker is the bestselling author of 13 titles including the No Holds Barred Fighting Series, the MMA Mastery Series, No Second Chance, and Boxing Mastery. He also has produced more than 150 instructional videos and is a columnist for Black Belt Magazine. His resume includes extensive experience in the Western combat arts including Old School Boxing and All-In Wrestling.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars #1 boxing instructional book!, May 15, 2005

By 

Joseph M Burtner (Kennesaw, Georgia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Boxing Mastery: Advanced Technique, Tactics, and Strategies from the Sweet Science (Paperback)

Once again, Mark Hatmaker has taken a subject and not only excellently explained the "how", but also the "why" as well. "Boxing Mastery" is exactly that: both a "how to" and "why for" book.

Mr. Hatmaker covers everything from the hinge principle (for generating power into every punch) to different boxer's stances and when they're most effective to upper- and lower-body mobility drills and how to cut off the ring. Make no mistake, this is a book for fighters, not a guide to "better fitness through non-contact boxing".

As expected, Hatmaker covers the most basic punches, footwork, drills, and targets, and he does so in a logical, concise and easy-to-understand manner the likes of which I've never seen outside of his works. In addition, he doesn't JUST stick to the basics. Chapters like "KO's and power punching", "Pivoting and waltzing", "Ring generalship", "Beat punching", and "Defensive concepts" shed light on nearly every imaginable aspect of the in-ring side of boxing. The only *minor* complaint I have is that this book refers to a chapter out of another book of his, "NHB: Savage Strikes", when talking about the basics of punching. I own that book too, so it's no big loss to me, but it may take away from the experience a little for a begginer. Still, it's such a small complaint that it never took away from the reading and learning experience for me.

For anyone who felt like something was missing from Beaumont's "Championship Streetfighting", this book fills in the gaps (footwork, defense) and then some. It can also stand alone, and I'd recomend it to anyone who wants to improve their boxing game, be they novice or experienced, as well as just anyone who wants to know how to throw a punch. I can't say enough good things about this book!

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars so-so, October 31, 2006

By 

Milk Toast - See all my reviews

This review is from: Boxing Mastery: Advanced Technique, Tactics, and Strategies from the Sweet Science (Paperback)

Has some useful basic info, but it is poorly written and the photos stink. Why would the author wear black sneakers on a dark floor in black & white photos? This makes the footwork lesson laughable as you cannot see the position of his feet, and it's not like there are clearly-written explanations to pick up the slack. Similarly, they will give you pics and brief descriptions of certain odd things like the 'peekaboo' stance, tell you to learn them, and give no reason why.

Also, both the authors are southpaws, which confuses things even more. It would have also have been nice to have some modifications suggested for MMA boxing which differs in a few ways.

I must say I enjoyed the drills and the section on the 'hinge principle.' The photos of different kinds of punches are clear and fairly comprehensive.

As long as you can find some other way of learning decent footwork, you can probably make a lot of this slim and affordable book.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding... clear and consise... perfect pictures and easy to understand analysis..., September 18, 2005

By 

Kristofer Felton "Kristofer" (Miami, Florida United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Boxing Mastery: Advanced Technique, Tactics, and Strategies from the Sweet Science (Paperback)

I'll begin by stating that I'm not strictly a western boxer, I'm mainly practice Muay Thai kickboxing... but I figured since most of Muay Thai is western boxing from the waist up, that I should get a book on the subject of boxing. I have bought quite a few books on everything from grapling, kickboxing, kung-fu, Kali/escrima and this book is by far the best instructional resource I have ever come across.

The author does a great job of explaining every technique and also includes clear pictures that do a very good job of demonstrating those techniques. Although the book seems geared to more advanced boxers, I highly suggest this book for novice and intermediate boxers as well...