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Is The Superman Punch Legal in Boxing?
A Man Question from C7
© 2017 James LaFond
JUL/19/17
Sadly Mayweather's "pay-the-IRS-back-taxes" circus detracts from the real upcoming fight, Triple G vs. Canelo Alvarez. That should be a great fight, which I don't think will go the distance.
I saw Hector Camacho do the run and punch at opening bell Round 1 once, instant KO, I guess Hector was in a hurry to get the party started that night. Which leads me to this question, James—is it legal in boxing to punch if both feet are off the ground?
Great question!
It is illegal to punch when any point other than your feet are on the ground.
It is illegal to punch when the opponent has any point other than his feet on the ground.
These two rules are not often enforced, for in pro boxing, it is what hurts the other guy that you get called on.
No one has thought to address this as prohibition even though it happened in the early days. Ted Kid Lewis did this a few times, once caught on camera. Some guy did it to Primo Carnera, the "Man Mountain."
I have read the amateur rules, which are universal, a dozen times and it was not addressed in any of those editions. In the pros there are different rules for various jurisdictions in which I have not see it addressed.
As with laws, rules don't get passed in sports until something is perceived as having had an unjust or undesirable outcome. There was no rule against the hammer fist until an American champion was KO'd by a Canadian contender.
If, McGregor would win on a superman punch, look for a rule to be passed before the rematch.
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Shep     Jul 19, 2017

If I recall correctly, Floyd Patterson would often leap up and forward when throwing a left hook to the head. I think the sportswriters called it his "kangaroo punch". I'll bet that smaller heavyweights like Floyd, Frazier, and Tyson often have both feet slightly off the ground at the moment their left hooks impact.
Sam J.     Jul 19, 2017

I think the McGregor Mayweather fight should be interesting. McGregor is a natural carny showman,. Stirring everyone up and making a scene. He'll have to go after Mayweather to win I think. If not Mayweather will out box him and win on decision.
Bob     Jul 19, 2017

Not a little bit of race-baiting in this fight.
Shep     Jul 20, 2017

Evidently Marciano did it, too. (Starts at 1:19).

youtube.com/watch?v=kUuaz_ab5YY
Jeremy Bentham     Jul 21, 2017

youtube.com/watch?v=UXvGtCWC5dc Floyd Patterson 'Gazelle Punch' knockout. Patterson-Johannsson Fight.
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