China vs. USA

[Great Sage]

I was watching the 1998 China vs. USA Sanshou bouts last night and I noticed a few things: When the Americans tried to replicate Sanshou techniques, they dug their own graves... also during the clinch, Sanshou fighters are VERY vulnerable to uppercuts.

The matches where American boxers lost were when they tried to mimic takedowns and kicks... Basically, their kicks had nothing on them and the Sanshou guys would simply grab their legs and sweep their other leg. The boxers who used good boxing skills faired much better since the Sanshou guys don’t like to box.

During the clinch, Sanshou guys don’t safeguard their chins. They have their arms around the opponent’s neck and they’re just far enough away that a good uppercut can fit nicely in that space. The only matches that the boxers won were those where they used the uppercut in the clinch.

I didn’t see the whole thing, but it seemed as though the boxers were so worried about kicks that few tried to mix it up inside. Also, they couldn’t figure out how to stay on their feet against throws. In the first match, the boxer guy is thrown about 30 times and leaves in stretcher.

[kengar]

During the clinch, Sanshou guys don’t safeguard their chins. They have their arms around the opponent’s neck and they’re just far enough away that a good uppercut can fit nicely in that space.

In this position if you want to keep control and hold the neck so you can land knees and other strikes, what do you feel is the best safegaurd for your chin.

Ken

[Tom Yum]

Can you give us more specifics? I would LOVE to see that tournament!

[Great Sage]

Originally posted by kengar

In this position if you want to keep control and hold the neck so you can land knees and other strikes, what do you feel is the best safegaurd for your chin.

Ken

A boxing clinch... Wrap your right arm around your opponent's neck and your left arm goes over and around his punching arm — tuck your head into him. The Sanshou guys were getting continually uppercut because their clinch is too far away, almost extending their arms.

There were no knees or elbows in this competition so the smart boxers used the uppercut to an advantage.


Tom,

The DVD's were in Chinese, so I have absolutely no idea about the commentating or any other information regarding fighters. Basically, I was watching how the fighters reacted to each other... It was pretty interesting. I’m not quite sure if the American Team were really boxers or supposed to be Sanshou fighters as well... They didn’t look comfortable throwing kicks and takedowns though and the cover says “China vs. USA: Sanshou against Boxing.” Anyway, here’s a brief synopsis of what I saw.

FIGHT ONE:
Boxer has trouble with Chinese kicks and resorts to spinning backfists to close the distance. Unfortunately, he spins himself into some nasty predicaments as the Chinese guy throws him about 30 times... The match ends when the boxer is thrown on his neck and can’t get back up. He’s hauled away in a stretcher. China wins.

FIGHT TWO:
The boxer is winning with combinations, but doesn’t take advantage because he’s too worried about being thrown. He throws uppercuts effectively in the clinch, but doesn’t continue with combos. Unfortunately, he’s thrown several times until he’s too winded to throw combinations and becomes a walking punching bag. China wins.

FIGHT THREE:
The funniest fight. An Asian-American is representing the United States. He comes out with high round kicks and spinning kicks (must have a TKD background). In contrast, the Chinese guy is a boxer and nearly knocks out the American with combinations. The American guy wares himself out with high kicks and gets a dose of low kicks and punching combinations. China wins.

FIGHT FOUR:
The best fight I saw. The Chinese guy comes out firing kicks and punches. The boxer is cool and collected and throws good combinations. Despite leg kicks and throwing attempts from the Chinese, the boxer uses good footwork and thwarts all attempts by punching out. The Chinese guy is rocked by uppercuts and hooks in the clinch. By the third round, the Chinese guy’s hands are very low and he can barely stand. USA wins.