Punches are the universal language of fighting. From bareknuckle bouts in Victorian England to today’s high-stakes UFC and pro boxing matches, punches have been refined, weaponized, and evolved countless times. Below is every major punch you need to know — why it exists, when to throw it, and how to blend it into fight-winning combos.
1. The Jab
Origins & Lore: The jab has roots in early bareknuckle boxing (18th-19th centuries), refined as a tactical weapon for control and setup rather than power. Modern boxing legends like Muhammad Ali elevated the jab into a fight-winning tool.
Purpose: Control distance, disrupt opponent’s rhythm, set up powerful punches.
Pro’s Perspective: “My jab was my left hand in a pistol holster.” – Larry Holmes
Common Mistake: Dropping your hand after jabbing, leaving yourself open to counters.
Street vs. Sport: In sport, the jab is quick and snappy; in self-defense, a stiff-arm jab can create space to escape.
Killer Combo: Double Jab → Cross
Fighter’s Secret: Tilt your head slightly off-center when you jab to avoid counters.
2. The Cross
Origins & Lore: Perfected with the introduction of boxing gloves in the late 19th century, the cross became a powerful straight rear-hand punch.
Purpose: Deliver maximum straight-line power to the opponent’s head or body.
Pro’s Perspective: George Foreman said his right hand could “end a fight before you knew you were in one.”
Common Mistake: Overcommitting and losing balance or leaving your chin exposed.
Street vs. Sport: In sport, aim for the chin; in street fights, targeting the nose or jaw hinge can cause instant shock.
Killer Combo: Jab → Cross → Left Hook
Fighter’s Secret: Step your lead foot slightly outside your opponent’s to steal their angle before throwing the cross.
3. The Hook
Origins & Lore: A punch for close-range fighting, the hook was popularized by fighters like Jack Dempsey and Joe Frazier, becoming a feared knockout weapon.
Purpose: Attack around the opponent’s guard, targeting the chin or liver.
Pro’s Perspective: “The left hook is the punch you don’t see that takes your soul.” – Bernard Hopkins
Common Mistake: Swinging too wide and telegraphing the punch.
Street vs. Sport: Gloves soften the impact in sport; bareknuckle fighters use shorter hooks to prevent injury.
Killer Combo: Cross → Hook → Cross
Fighter’s Secret: Slightly dip before throwing the hook to disguise if it’s aimed at the head or body.
4. The Uppercut
Origins & Lore: Evolved in bareknuckle fighting for close-in, upward strikes beneath high guards. Mike Tyson famously used the uppercut as a clinch-ending weapon.
Purpose: Lift the opponent’s chin or body to break their stance.
Pro’s Perspective: Tyson’s uppercut in the clinch was often fight-ending.
Common Mistake: Dropping your hand and telegraphing the punch.
Street vs. Sport: In sport, aim under the chin; in self-defense, targeting the jaw or solar plexus is effective.
Killer Combo: Uppercut → Hook → Cross
Fighter’s Secret: Use the uppercut as a counter after slipping a jab.
5. The Overhand
Origins & Lore: Originated from street fights and early boxing; the overhand is a looping punch designed to bypass high guards, made famous by fighters like Sam Langford.
Purpose: Loop over an opponent’s guard with knockout power.
Pro’s Perspective: “If you’re shorter, make them feel it from above.” – Fedor Emelianenko
Common Mistake: Throwing it too wide and slow, making it easy to counter.
Street vs. Sport: In sport, arc it over gloves; in street fighting, use a tighter version to avoid slipping.
Killer Combo: Jab → Overhand
Fighter’s Secret: Fake a jab to the body, then whip the overhand to the head.
6. The Shovel Hook
Origins & Lore: Joe Frazier’s devastating body shot was a shovel hook — a punch between an uppercut and a hook designed to damage the liver.
Purpose: Smash the body from close range, setting up head shots.
Pro’s Perspective: “Hit the body and the head will fall.” – Julio César Chávez Sr.
Common Mistake: Standing too tall and losing leverage.
Street vs. Sport: Gloves help dig deeper in sport; same motion can target ribs or kidneys in self-defense.
Killer Combo: Shovel Hook (Body) → Hook (Head)
Fighter’s Secret: Step slightly inside as you throw to drive through the target.
7. The Backfist
Origins & Lore: Common in karate and kung fu, the backfist is banned in boxing but used in MMA and kickboxing as a surprise strike.
Purpose: Deliver a fast strike from unusual angles.
Pro’s Perspective: Bas Rutten knocked opponents out with spinning backfists.
Common Mistake: Over-rotating and exposing your back.
Street vs. Sport: Mostly used spinning with gloves; bareknuckle versions occur in clinch breaks.
Killer Combo: Missed Cross → Spinning Backfist
Fighter’s Secret: Hide the backfist behind a feint for a clean hit.
8. The Hammerfist
Origins & Lore: Used in medieval combat and modern military fighting systems, the hammerfist is a safe striking tool in ground fighting.
Purpose: Smash downward with the side of the fist.
Pro’s Perspective: Common in MMA ground-and-pound for safety and power.
Common Mistake: Telegraphing the wind-up.
Street vs. Sport: Ground striking in sport; close-range strikes to skull or forearm in self-defense.
Killer Combo: Clinch Break → Hammerfist
Fighter’s Secret: Drive through the target with your body weight, not just your arm.
9. The Superman Punch
Origins & Lore: From karate and Muay Thai, popularized in MMA by Georges St-Pierre.
Purpose: Close distance with a flying, powerful strike.
Pro’s Perspective: “Sell the kick, take the punch.” – GSP
Common Mistake: Throwing it without setup, making it predictable.
Street vs. Sport: Mostly a sport move, risky in real fights.
Killer Combo: Fake Low Kick → Superman Punch
Fighter’s Secret: Land outside the opponent’s lead foot for better angle and safety.
10. The Palm Strike
Origins & Lore: A staple in Krav Maga and many traditional systems, the palm strike is favored for safety and versatility.
Purpose: Shock with an open hand to the chin or nose, reducing injury risk.
Pro’s Perspective: Used in military combatives due to its effectiveness with or without gloves.
Common Mistake: Striking with fingers extended, risking injury.
Street vs. Sport: Illegal in most sports but a great self-defense tool.
Killer Combo: Palm → Elbow → Knee
Fighter’s Secret: Drive upward through the target like an uppercut for maximum shock.
Final Word
You can know every punch in the book — but fights aren’t won by knowledge alone. They’re won by throwing the right punch at the right time.
So, when your moment comes, which punch will you trust to end it?