Peekaboo Boxing Style Explained (Breakdown of Different Boxing Styles and FAQ)

The peekaboo boxing style was very unique and seemed to come to a peak with the usage of it by Mike Tyson as taught by his coach Cus D’Amato.

Watching highlights of Tyson bob and weave and pressure forward to land devastating knockouts makes many boxing fans (including myself) wonder why it was never as popular with other boxers.

Hopefully, our breakdown of different boxing styles will help expalin the rise and fall of the peekaboo boxing style along with other popular styles.

The Peekaboo Boxing style emphasizes head movement and active evasion, with the boxer maintaining a high, tight guard with his hands (similar to the baby’s game) and continuously moving forward to apply pressure.

Peekaboo Boxing – Key Points

The peek-a-boo boxing style was popularized by legendary boxing coach Cus D’Amato.
Known for defense craftiness, the peek-a-boo style allows boxers to control the speed and rhythm of a fight.
The most famous practitioner of this style was “Iron” Mike Tyson, whose aggressive, power-punching style fit perfectly with the peek-a-boo method.

However, the effectiveness of the peekaboo style may be a bit overstated and not the best universally applied style for all boxers (again Iron Mike was an outlier and could have probably been effective using a variety of different methods)
The peek-a-boo boxing style favors specific attributes like Quick Movements, Ambidextrous Capabilities, and Devastating Power.
Despite its effectiveness, the trend of the peek-a-boo style may have waned as the sport of boxing has continued to evolve along with other styles and trends

Other very popular styles are we’ve see are aggressive counter puncher (as see by Canelo and Ugás) and more of Slugger style (as used by George Foreman)

What Is the Peekaboo Boxing Style?

Again, the Peekaboo Boxing style emphasizes head movement and active evasion, with the boxer maintaining a high, tight guard with his hands (similar to the baby’s game) and continuously moving forward to apply pressure.

It is essentially a defensive technique that lends to quick, powerful counterpunches. It’s like playing an intense game of hide-and-seek within the boxing ring, using a variety of skills that leaves opponents struggling for the right move. From quick jabs and swift undercuts to explosive hooks and overhand rights, the Peekaboo style incorporates it all.

However, many believe that the style doesn’t provide the best ability for efficient attacking.

The use of the Peekaboo Style by Mike Tyson is certainly iconic. Keep in mind that Tyson was far from being the average fighter – his ferocious aggression and unmatchable speed made the peekabook style all the more effective.

He fused all these skills with the Peekaboo style to create an offensive powerhouse, continuously pressuring his opponents, slipping under their punches and delivering devastating counters – usually in the form of hook and uppercuts.

Finally, Iron Mike was trained under the guidance of the legendary boxing trainer, Cus D’Amato, who is credited for this style’s persistence. If you peek into Tyson’s fights, notice how swiftly Tyson manoeuvres within the boxing ring and the impeccable setup of his winning knocks. Side note: Ultimately, his successful career and notorious reputation stand as proof to its effectiveness.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0r6OTEWs4o&pp=ygUjbWlrZSB0eXNvbiB0ZWFjaGVzIHBlZWsgYSBib28gc3R5bGU%3D

The Fundamentals of Peekaboo Boxing – Quick Breakdown

Fundamentals of the Peekaboo Boxing Style:

Defensive Hand Position: Hands are positioned in front of the face, resembling the baby’s game ‘peek-a-boo’. This stance offers added protection to the face.
Tight Defense: A term preferred by Cus D’Amato, it emphasizes keeping gloves close to the cheeks and arms tight against the torso.

Counterpunching Strategy: Instead of backing up, Peekaboo practitioners aggressively charge forward, provoke opponents into making mistakes, and then capitalize on those openings.
Hands and Upper-body Movement: The style requires relaxed hands, forearms in front of the face, and side-to-side head movements. It also incorporates bobbing, weaving, and blindsiding opponents.
Footwork: Aimed at closing the distance, this element is essential to the style but often overlooked. Footwork helps cut off escape routes, negate the opponent’s reach advantage, and sets the base for punching with leverage.

Punches by Numbers: Simplifies instruction by assigning numbers to specific punches, such as left hook, right cross, jabs, and uppercuts (we brekdown the punching number system next*)

Pros of the Peekaboo Boxing Style:

Enhanced Protection: The hand positioning offers additional defense to the face.

Aggressive Counterpunching: Allows practitioners to move forward aggressively, causing opponents to make mistakes that can be capitalized upon.
Versatile Movement: The style emphasizes swift neck movements, rapid ducking, and quick counterattacks.
Effective Footwork: Helps in cutting off escape routes, negating reach advantages, and gaining dominant attack angles.

Numbered Punch System: Simplifies instruction and combination execution.

Cons of the Peekaboo Boxing Style:

Perceived Limitation on Attack: Some critics argue that it’s challenging to launch an efficient attack from this defensive position.

Requires Exceptional Speed and Agility: The high guard stance demands incredible reflexes to dodge incoming punches.
Predictability: If not combined with other techniques, the style can become predictable to seasoned opponents.
Intensive Training Required: Mastery of the Peekaboo style demands rigorous training to understand its intricacies.

What is the Punching Number System?

The boxing number system serves as a communication shorthand for trainers to instruct boxers during training. Each punch or combination is assigned a code number which is simpler and quicker to shout out in the middle of a fast-paced training session or a live fight.

Generally, the punching number system varies across various gyms and training settings, but a universal version does exist to maintain some consistency.

For instance, the common six-punch boxing numbers are:

(1) Jab
(2) Cross
(3) Lead Hook

(4) Rear Hook
(5) Lead Uppercut
(6) Rear Uppercut

Remember, adopting the punching number system is like learning a foreign language but you’ll be suprised how quickly you will get the hang of it.

How Effective is the Peek-a-boo Boxing Style?

The peek-a-boo boxing style can definitely be quite effective. However, it requires the athlete to intensely train within the method and maintain constant (and risky) forward pressure. Finally, it may not be the best overall style for many as there are several boxing styles that suite different boxers.

We go over which body type, attributes, and skills that work best with the peek-a-boy style next. While we’ve seen how effective it was for Iron Mike, there really haven’t been to many other top tier boxers to use the style at that same leve.

What Body Type and Attributes Work Well with Peekaboo Boxing

As we mentioned the peekaboo boxing style, despite some of the highlight reel knockouts by Mike Tyson when using it, isn’t a universal fit.

It’s highly compatibility-dependent which makes it work wonders for certain boxers while falling flat for others. Originally designed to leverage shorter fighters’ attributes, Peekaboo works best for fighters who can close in on the distance fast and have swift feet that can get them in or out quickly.

Strength and agility are two crucial attributes this style demands
It’s tailored for high-energy fighters who aren’t wary of maintaining a continual defensive state and springing into an attacking mode within the blink of an eye.

Requires ambidexterity of the boxer; having the ability to punch effectively with both hands significantly amplifies the benefits of Peekaboo Boxing*
Also, if a fighter possesses a lower center of gravity, then Peekaboo can be a potent ally in their boxing journey (a lower base provides greater maneuverability and augmented lower body strength)

Disadvantages of Peek-a-boo Style

Disadvantage	Description
1. Uses a ton of energy	Requires non-punching movements like fast footwork and quick-shifting head movements, wasting more energy than efficient styles.
2. Fighting off-rhythm can be risky	Going against the rhythm exposes a fighter to risky moments where the chances of getting hit hard increase.
3. Requires power to be successful	Forward-moving style requires power to gain respect from the opponent and to make the style effective.
4. Requires an iron chin	Forward-moving fighters are more susceptible to hits, hence they need a sturdy chin to absorb more damage.
5. Not great for amateur competition (scoring*)	It’s a pro-style that doesn’t score well in amateur competitions due to its aggressive and explosive nature.
6. Slows down taller/longer fighters	Taller or longer fighters may struggle with this style due to energy loss, balance issues, and covering up their larger frames.
7. Not ideal for taller or longer fighters	Taller/longer fighters might not need to adopt this style, as their natural reach and distance can be advantageous.

Basically the peek-a-boo style uses a ton of energy in the ring plus it favors shorter and stocker boxers. Next, it can definitely be countered by an opponent with a solid jab, and leaves the boxer open to considerable risk.

Have Any Other Boxers Used the Peekaboo Boxing Style?

Surprisingly, despite the clear effectiveness of the style, not many boxers have adopted the Peekaboo style. In fact, Tyson seems to be the last of the lot. Why? One possible reason is the difficulty in mastering it. The Peekaboo style demands technical skills, endurance, speed, and precision – a level of craftsmanship in the ring, not everyone can develop.

However, before the Tyson era, Floyd Patterson ruled the ring turning the Peekaboo style into somewhat a signature move. Side note: Patterson was D’Amato’s first world champion which led to the initial recognition of his unique boxing philosophy.

Another notable practitioner of the Peekaboo style was Jose Torres, a promising light-heavyweight. Joey Hadley, known for winning multiple Golden Glove awards, tried his hands on the Peekaboo too. But, despite these few instances, none have used this approach with the same level of dominance as Tyson.

Does Peek-a-Boo Style Work at Lighter Weight Classes?

In terms of applicability in different weight classes:

Lighter Weight Classes:
- Pros: The style’s emphasis on fast movement and hand speed aligns well with the characteristics of lighter weight classes.
- Cons: Fighters in these categories often manage distance using their legs, rarely staying in the pocket which the peekaboo thrives in.

Heavyweight: The style has been more prominent in the heavyweight division, where boxers like Tyson and Patterson effectively leveraged the peekaboo.
Misunderstood Usage: Some believe styles like peekaboo are non-existent in lighter weight divisions because they equate a style’s success to the unique guards used by successful fighters.

In ligher weightclasses, often boxers can use more effective mehtod and styles of boxing.

The Peekaboo style requires:

a good amount of power
is more effective for shorter/stockier fighters

may not be a good use of energy for lighter fighters

Do Any Current or Modern Day Boxers Use This Style?

Getting right to the point, the usage of the Peekaboo boxing style in the current boxing world isn’t as widespread as you’d think.

This once dominating style that was synonymous with legendary figures like Mike Tyson has definitely seen a drop in its usage in the modern armamentarium of boxing techniques. Why is that so?

There are several reasons, but first, let’s acknowledge the few who still embrace it.

Consider Kevin Rooney, a former professional boxer now a boxing trainer. Rooney was a loyal protégé of Cus D’Amato, the originator of the Peekaboo style. He continues to train fighters using this technique, albeit not to Tyson’s level of mastery. This primarily boils down to the high degree of proficiency required to implement the Peekaboo style. Not many can emulate Tyson’s flawless execution, evidenced by his meteoric rise to the position of the youngest heavyweight champion in history.

Furthermore, Winky Wright, a now-retired professional boxer, and two-time light middleweight world champion was known for effectively using the Peekaboo style. He popularized a modified version of it, with a high guard and focus on strong, solid jabs. He often employed this technique to control the ring, press his advantage, and set up power punches.

Now, one might wonder why the Peekaboo style, once a staple in boxing, is low on popularity with contemporary practitioners. Next, we’ll break down why it may not be used as much any more…

Why the Peekaboo Style Isn’t Really Used Anymore

While many reasons contribute to this, if we had to choose one main factor it would be that the Peekaboo style demands high levels of physical conditioning (and energy expenditure), quick reflexes, and exceptional defensive skills.

To master the Peekaboo style, boxers must expend immense amounts of energy, constantly staying on the move with the rhythm of bobbing and weaving. This style requires the boxer to keep an offensive pressure, which can, at times, lead to them tiring more quickly than their opponent.

Next, this distinctive style relies heavily on reflexes, which tend to naturally decline as a boxer ages. Thus, sustainably maintaining peak reflex performance can be a tough ask for

What Other Boxers Used the Peekaboo Style?

There have actually be quite a bit of other boxers who have used the peekaboo style in boxing – some more popular than others.

Here is a quick list of some of them:

Teddy Atlas: He began his career in boxing as a promising fighter, achieving remarkable success by winning each fight through knockouts. Unfortunately, upon the discovery of a spinal illness, his fighting journey came to a halt. Cus D’Amato, recognizing Atlas’s potential in another arena of the sport, mentored him to transition into the role of a trainer. Consequently, from 1979 to 1982, Atlas served as a trainer and cornerman for Kevin Rooney and the legendary Mike Tyson. As D’Amato aged and stepped back from everyday training responsibilities, he focused more on mentorship and managerial issues.

Mike Tyson: The most iconic name associated with the peekaboo style, Tyson’s application of the technique was unparalleled. His ferocious punching power combined with a watertight defense made him one of the most formidable fighters of his time.

Kevin Rooney: Not only was Rooney a trainer for Mike Tyson, but he himself was also adept at the peekaboo style, having once been crowned a Golden Gloves champion.

Floyd Patterson: An exemplar of the peekaboo technique, Patterson became the first fighter to harness this style effectively. He clinched an Olympic gold medal and went on to become a two-time Heavyweight Champion of the world. Notably, he was the first individual to ever reclaim the heavyweight championship title.

José Torres: Another boxer under the guidance of D’Amato, Torres clinched the silver medal at the 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics. He later captured the Light Heavyweight world title, defeating Willie Pastrano.

Other notable boxers and trainers who have practiced or propagated the peekaboo style includes:

Donny Lalonde
Shannon Briggs
Michael Moorer

Michael Grant
Alexander Povetkin
Timothy Bradley

Oleksandr Gvozdyk
Joey Hadley (a standout in 1973 as the top U.S. middleweight amateur boxer)
Buster Mathis (trained under the watchful eyes of Cus D’Amato during the initial phase of his professional career)

Tracy Harris Patterson
Omar Sheika
Vinny Paz

What Are Some Other Popular Boxing Styles?

Here is a boxing styles comparison table:

Boxing Style	Description	Notable Boxers
Peek-A-Boo	Emphasizes head movement, hands held close to the face.	Mike Tyson
Slugger	Emphasizes power over finesse, tough and hard-hitting, lacks defensive prowess.	George Foreman, Rocky Marciano
Out-Boxer	Uses reach and footwork to jab, retreat, and strike from a distance.	Floyd Mayweather Jr., Muhammad Ali
In-Fighter	Loves short-range combat, methodically breaks down an opponent’s defense.	James Toney
Hitman Style	Unique blend of evasion, footwork, and explosive power. Uses left hand for control and right for counterpunching.	Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns
Swarmer	Relentless offense, maintains continuous pressure, requires agility and stamina.	Joe Frazier
Defensive Counter Puncher	Avoids punches, waits for opponent mistakes, focuses on safety-first strategy.	Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Aggressive Counter Puncher	Actively provokes mistakes, switches between offense and defense.	Juan Manuel Marquez
Technical Brawler	Blend of strategy and power, relies heavily on tactics and precision.	Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez
‘Dirty’ Inside Fighter	Close proximity combat, takes advantage of minimal spaces for maximum impact.	Jack Dempsey, Joe Frazier
Pressure Fighter	Constant attack, aims to break down opponent’s defenses through relentless strategy.	Joe Frazier, Rocky Marciano, Jack Dempsey
Out-Boxer	Defensive, stays at arm’s length, maintains safe distance while delivering punches.	Larry Holmes

While the Peek-A-Boo style has its merits, there are several other boxing styles that have been popularized by different athletes over the years. Among them are styles like the Slugger, the Out-Boxer, and the In-Fighter. Each of these styles has produced champions and has remained relevant in boxing circles.

The Slugger style, favored by boxers like George Foreman and Rocky Marciano, emphasizes power over finesse. Sluggers are tough and hard-hitting, depending on knockout blows to secure their victories. Much like the Peek-A-Boo style, the Slugger’s strength lies in close combat, but their style often lacks the defensive prowess showcased by Peek-A-Boo users.

Meanwhile, the Out-Boxer style is a game of strategy more than a brawl. It leverages reach and footwork to jab, retreat and strike from a distance. This style is highly effective against aggressive opponents, allowing the boxer to maintain control over the fight. Famous Out-Boxers include Floyd Mayweather Jr and Muhammad Ali, who is often considered the poster boy for the style.

What is the Hitman Style?

The Hitman style, popularized by the legendary Middleweight and Light Heavyweight champion Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns, combines a unique blend of evasion, tactical footwork and explosive power.

Hitman style requires the boxer to hold their left hand out front which controls the distance, range and the pace of the fight.

Your left hand acts not just as a range-finder but also a tool to disrupt the enemy’s attacks, catching their punches and even hitting their eyes with jabs or hooks. Once you’ve established control with your left, your right hand stays ready at all times to land a swift and deadly counterpunch.

Swarmer Boxing Style

Swarmer, or infighter, or pressure fighter boxing style is characterized by its relentless offense, with the boxer constantly moving forward, doggedly invading their opponent’s space.

A swarmer uses their natural agility and stamina to maintain continuous pressure on an opponent, making good use of rapid footwork to dodge punches and then counterattack vigorously.

Skilled swarmers are famous for their ability to maintain constant contact, often leaving their opponents feeling overwhelmed. An excellent example of a swarmer would be Joe Frazier. His relentless pursuit and unyielding aggression allowed him to dominate many of his matches.

This style does come with potential pitfalls, as it requires significant energy, making endurance a must. Also, these fighters expose themselves to more hits due to their aggressive approach.

Remember that while adopting the swarmer style can lead to shocking victories, it is not a one-size-fits-all method. Boxers need to align their physical attributes, energy levels, and mental toughness with this aggressive style to ensure its effective use. When fused with individual styles and strategies, swarmer can bring out robust performances in the ring.

Out-boxer

The Out-boxer, often known as the ‘Pure Boxer’. This method demands precision, strategy, and swift footwork. Like a game of intricate chess, the out-boxer stays at arm’s length, maintaining a safe distance from opponents while delivering calculated punches.

The essence of this style lies in its emphasis on ring mastery, control, and lucidity over aggression.

Muhammad Ali was a quintessential out-boxer. Ali masterfully maintained distance from opponents, luring them to make moves, then exploiting openings with swift, precise punches. His calm demeanor in the ring, notwithstanding continuous provocations by opponents, echoed the core principle of the style – play smart, not hard.

Bear in mind, Out-boxers deal with the challenge of needing to keep their opponents at the desired distance while navigating the ring smoothly. This style is very effective for tall fighters with a long reach. But remember, mastering the style requires a high level of fitness and boxing intelligence.

Slugger

When it comes to pure power and strength – this is the style you’re looking for. Think about the power of Big George Foreman who utilized the slugger style perfectly.

Obviously this style isn’t ideal for lighter weightclasses or those with other attributes, but its certainly a fan favorite and lends to some explosive knockouts and victories.

Defensive Counter Puncher

A defensive counter-puncher excels at avoiding punches and patiently waits for their opponent to make a mistake before striking. The core proficiency of this boxing style lies in its focus on safety-first strategy and economy of movement.

This doesn’t mean they avoid conflict but rather bide their time until their opponent presents a vulnerability to attack.

The main advantage is that it allows boxers to conserve energy and minimize physical punishment. A hallmark example of this style is Floyd Mayweather Jr., who made a habit of luring opponents into making errors and then skillfully using quick, measured counter-attacks.

There are drawbacks though. This style requires exceptional fitness, discipline, and sharp reflexes. Transitions from defense to offense must be quick and precise to land effective punches. Plus, as with any style, there’s always the risk of missing an opportunity to attack or getting cornered by an aggressive opponent.

Aggressive Counter Puncher

Moving on, let’s delve into the characteristics of an aggressive counter-puncher. As the name suggests, this type of fighter has the dexterity to swiftly switch between offense and defense.

These fighters don’t just wait for their opponents to slip up, they actively try to provoke mistakes. The aggressive counter-puncher has a knack for creating situations that bait opponents into a false sense of security.

Essentially, this kind of boxer personifies controlled aggression. Juan Manuel Marquez, a former professional boxer, is an example of an aggressive counter-puncher. He controlled fights with intelligent pressure and opportunistically capitalized on his opponents’ mistakes to land powerful hits.

One advantage of this style is the ability to dictate the pace of the fight but it’s also heavily reliant on extensive training, keen intuition, and adaptability. Balance is the key as over-aggression may lead to stamina issues or encountering a debilitating punch. In essence, mastering the aggressive counter-puncher style is a high-risk, high-reward situation.

Tecnical brawler

A Technical Brawler style of boxing brings forth a perfect blend of caginess and brute force, a “Technical Brawler” is like a silent storm that strikes when least expected.

This style is characteristic of boxers who retain a calculated approach but aren’t afraid to throw down with thunderous punches when the situation calls for it.

Side note: Think of modern-day idols like Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, he truly demonstrates what it means to be a technical brawler. .

Akin to a chess match where every move matters, a technical brawler relies heavily on tactics and strategy. It’s about knowing the timing, understanding when to attack, when to gather strength and wait for the perfect moment to strike. The emphasis here isn’t just on throwing punches, but landing those punches with precision.

‘Dirty’ inside fighter

The term “Dirty Inside Fighter” often carries a negative connotation but it’s important to avoid a hasty judgment. This isn’t about breaking rules or flaunting unsportsmanlike conduct, rather it caters to a unique boxing style that operates up-close and personal.

Put yourself in the shoes of historic icons like Jack Dempsey or Joe Frazier then you could see this style in action. It’s all about taking your fighter to close proximities, being in their face, and not hesitating to land well-timed hooks and body shots. This strategy, though unconventional, can lead to stunning victories that leave most people speechless.

In essence, a dirty inside fighter is more about pushing the boundaries – literally and figuratively. It’s about constantly closing in on the opponent, taking full advantage of minimal spaces and maximizing the impact. In

What’s the Best Overall Boxing Style? (Recommendations)

The choice of the best boxing style largely depends upon the boxer’s physical build, natural abilities, and personal preferences. While the below are general recommendations and styles to try out, there definitely isn’t a hard standard:

Physical Attributes & Skills	Recommended Boxing Style	Description/Notes
Tall, Long reach	Out-Boxer	Use reach to keep opponents at bay with jabs & long-range strikes
Short, Stocky, Strong	Custom Tailored (e.g., Mike Tyson)	Utilize inherent strength to land powerful blows up close.
Quick reflexes, Defense-oriented	Peek-A-Boo	Use quick reflexes to avoid punches and counter effectively.
Power over finesse, Lacks strong defense	Slugger	Focus on delivering powerful punches, even if it means taking some hits.
Prefers short-range combat, Relentless	In-Fighter	Dominate in close combat with a methodical approach.
Evasion, Tall and lean, Long reach	Hitman Style	Use height and reach advantage combined with evasion skills.
Relentless offense, Stamina	Swarmer	Overwhelm opponents with consistent offense, relying on stamina.
Quick defensive transitions	Defensive Counter Puncher	Evade, then quickly counter. Good for reactive boxers.
Provokes opponent mistakes	Aggressive Counter Puncher	Bait opponents into making errors and capitalize on them.
Combination of strategy & power	Technical Brawler	Balanced approach with both power and tactics.
Operates up-close	‘Dirty’ Inside Fighter	Use close combat tactics with an emphasis on body shots.
High tolerance for physical punishment	Pressure Fighter	Focus on constant attack, even at the expense of personal defense.
Quick hands, Reactive	Custom Tailored (e.g., Pacquiao)	Adapt style based on unique attributes.
Can adapt and implement multiple styles	Masterclass	Ideal for versatile boxers who can switch tactics mid-fight.
Avoids direct confrontations, Points focus	Pure Boxer (Slick Outboxer)	Prioritize winning rounds and avoid risky exchanges.