Movement strategies in elite amateur boxing

Activity profiling of boxing based on the number and type of punches thrown has been examined on several occasions. To better understand the activity profile of two successful elite amateur boxers, 100 rounds of sparring and international competition were analysed. A bespoke computer vision player tracker was developed to objectively assess movement strategies of boxers. Sparring in training and competition requires ~ 19 punches per minute. The two boxers analysed exhibit clearly differing styles. Front-foot boxers spend more time in the centre of the ring, and back-foot boxers spend comparatively less time in the centre and more time around the edges. Successful boxers have a higher work rate when they occupy the space closest to the centre of the ring. Compared to their opponents, the front-foot boxer had a higher activity level when furthest from the centre of the ring and the back-foot boxer had a lower activity level. The ratio of successful punches to total punches thrown does not increase with round duration. The number of punches thrown, and distance covered in the last minute of a round was equivalent or increased compared to the first minute. Further assessment of the different boxing styles and their interactions in the context of competition outcome is needed.