Mike Tyson, the youngest heavyweight champion in boxing history, was known for his ferocious Peek-A-Boo style. This aggressive and swarming approach allowed Tyson to dominate the ring.
In this article, we’ll explore the five best Peek-A-Boo drills that can help you fight like Iron Mike.
What Is The Peek-A-Boo Style and why did mike tyson use it?
The Peek-A-Bo style was a boxing style, which was invented by Cus D’Amato and used by a lot of his fighters, including Mike Tyson And Floyd Patterson.
This aggressive and swarming style, is a style where a fighter crouches low, protecting their head with their hands held high, close to their cheeks, resembling the “peek-a-boo” motion of a child hiding their eyes.
This style focuses on relentless head movement, bobbing and weaving to slip punches, and then launching rapid and powerful counterattacks. The Peek-A-Boo style is known for its exceptional defensive capabilities, in-fighting advantage, and the ability to generate incredible power from a crouched position, allowing fighters to dominate opponents in the correct range.
5 Drills To Learn The Peek-A-Boo Style
Let’s take a look at 5 drills, that will have you boxing like Iron Mike Tyson, in no time!
1. Slip Bag Mastery: The Art of Head Movement
The Peek-A-Boo style hinges on exceptional head movement. Mike Tyson’s ability to slip and roll punches was legendary. To incorporate this into your own style, invest time in mastering the slip bag.
Develop the reflexes to deftly move your head to evade punches, mimicking Tyson’s graceful yet devastating evasive maneuvers.
2. Fight Low: Embrace the Crouched Stance
Tyson’s crouched stance is an iconic feature of the Peek-A-Boo style. This posture provides superior balance and opens the door for seamless bobbing and weaving. Training to fight from a lower position not only enhances defensive capabilities but also sets the stage for blistering counterattacks from below, mirroring Tyson.
3. In-Fight Intensity: Unleash Hooks and Uppercuts
Tyson’s Peek-A-Boo style thrived in close combat. Engage in in-fighting drills that prioritize powerful hooks and uppercuts. Develop the skill to get inside your opponent’s guard and stay there, releasing lethal combinations.
4. Angle Creation: Punch From A Blind Spot
One of Tyson’s distinguishing abilities was his aptitude for creating angles that perplexed and outmaneuvered his adversaries. Commit to drills that teach you how to pivot, sidestep, and maneuver at angles that enable you to attack from blind spots.
5. Power from the Ground Up: Harness Your Leg Strength
Tyson’s power was unparalleled, and it emanated from his extraordinary leg drive. The Peek-A-Boo style relies on generating power from the ground up. Integrate footwork drills and strength training routines that emphasize explosive leg movements.
By channeling energy from your legs into your punches, you will elevate the force of your strikes to an impressive level.
Summary – Start Boxing Like Mike Tyson
Incorporating these Peek-A-Boo drills into your training regimen will provide you with a glimpse into the heart of Mike Tyson’s style. Perfecting head movement, adapting to a lower stance, becoming an expert in in-fighting, creating unique angles, and amplifying your punches through leg power will get you a step closer to boxing like Tyson.
If you want to know more, go check out this book: PEEK-A-BOO – THEORY OF KNOCKOUT PUNCH