In an era of viral knockouts, lightning-fast footwork, and flashier-than-thou ring walks, it’s easy to forget that some of the most effective punches in boxing aren’t thrown at the head at all. That’s right — body punching in boxing is alive, well, and still winning fights. You just have to know where to look.
From legends like Julio César Chávez and Ricky Hatton, to modern kings like Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford, the best fighters know that hitting the body isn’t just old school — it’s smart, savage, and often the difference between scraping by and breaking an opponent down completely.
Body Shots: Brutal, Beautiful, and Still Underrated
Now, I’m going to go off-script for a second here. Personally, I reckon a body punch is one of the most brutal punches in boxing. You can eat a jab, roll a right hand, or even bounce back from a knockdown — but a properly placed liver shot? That’s different. That kind of punch doesn’t just hurt; it shuts you down.
One second you’re fine, the next you’re gasping for air, looking at the ref, wondering why your body won’t respond. It’s sneaky. It’s subtle. And it’s utterly savage.
Ricky Hatton: The Body Snatcher of Manchester
I’m going to apologise now because I might get a bit biased. But let’s be honest — no chat about body punching in boxing is complete without giving props to Ricky Hatton.
He’s the man who turned me from a casual viewer into a full-blown, watch-it-every-week, cancel-social-plans-for-a-fight-night boxing fan. Hatton didn’t just throw body punches — he redefined them. That left hook to the liver? Textbook. The way he’d sink it in after feinting upstairs? Nasty. Watch this and tell me it’s not poetry in motion.
And he wasn’t just battering midsections — he was putting British boxing back on the world stage while doing it.
Why Body Work Still Matters in Modern Boxing
If you think body shots are outdated, just ask Canelo Álvarez’s opponents how their ribs feel the next morning. Or go rewatch Terence Crawford vs. Jeff Horn. Body work isn’t just effective — it’s strategic. It slows you down, saps your power, makes your hands drop… and then the head becomes an easy target.
Fighters like Errol Spence Jr., Naoya Inoue, and even Katie Taylor have all made a career out of smart, punishing body attacks. It’s a chess move with pain involved. BoxingScene and The Ring both have excellent breakdowns of recent fights where body punching has turned the tide. It’s still one of the smartest weapons in the sport — even if it doesn’t always make the highlight reels.
So Why Don’t We Talk About It More?
Simple: it’s not sexy. A looping left hook to the liver doesn’t look as dramatic on TikTok as a spinning uppercut. But real fans know. Trainers know. Fighters definitely know. Body punching in boxing is the long game — the slow poison. It might not go viral, but it wins titles.
Final Round: Give the Body Some Love
Let’s bring back some respect for body punching in boxing. Whether it’s a rib-rattling hook or a sneaky shot to the solar plexus, these punches matter. They change fights, and they deserve more love from fans, trainers, and fighters alike.
Got a favourite body puncher? Did I miss someone who deserves a mention? Drop a comment, share this with your boxing mates, and head over to CMBoxing for more fight talk, breakdowns, and opinion pieces every week.