Studying the Overhand Right of Today’s Best Boxers

The overhand right is one of boxing’s most devastating punches. That’s because it comes from a distance and requires a forceful rotation of the hips.

Finally, it involves driving the hand downward, thereby increasing the force of the punch. But because of the distance involved, the overhand right isn’t something you can just throw, especially if you haven’t mastered it.

Having said that, it pays to check out the overhand right of three of today’s best boxers to get you started in mastering this punch.

Vasyl Lomachenko

Lomachenko, aka Hi-Tech, is widely regarded as one of the best. The International Business Times even reports how Mike Tyson repeatedly named Lomachenko the best in the world.

Part of the reason for this acclaim is his mastery of every boxing skill, especially the overhand right. Hi-Tech, in particular, has mastered the art of using the overhand right as a counter to jabs.

What makes Loma’s overhand right even more impressive is that he is a southpaw. As such, he needs to create the right angles first.

He does so by stepping to his right, before unleashing a lightning-quick but compact overhand right, which means he doesn’t turn his hips as much. Lomachenko’s overhand right is so compact, in fact, that it looks similar to a right cross.

But it has greater force, as Hi-Tech drives his punch with his hips and legs.

Tyson Fury

The overhand right featured prominently in Deontay Wilder-Tyson Fury 2.

Both Wilder and Fury, not coincidentally, throw some of the best overhand rights in boxing. Bwin Sports’ build-up to the fight, noted how it would end early, as both Fury and Wilder are fantastic finishers. The fight did end early, with Fury dominating the entire contest until it ended in the 7th round.

The Gypsy King had promised to bring the fight to his American rival, and he did so.

One punch Fury used to great effect was the overhand right, which caused Wilder’s ear to bleed profusely. Fury’s overhand right in this fight was textbook, mainly because he fights in an orthodox stance. In addition, it often came after a stiff left jab. The 31-year-old Brit keeps his right hand up and his feet shoulder-width apart for great balance.

As he throws his overhand right, he steps in with his left foot, then shifts weight to his front leg. Doing so drives Fury’s body forward giving the punch greater power.

Deontay Wilder

Wilder himself also packs a mean right hand—something Fury neutralized by moving to Wilder’s left while jabbing.

That being said, the Bronze Bomber’s right hand is forceful and has knocked out quite a few opponents already.

That’s because Wilder commits to the punch, turning his hip and winding back.

Like Fury, Wilder drives the punch down by stepping in with his left foot and shifting his weight to his front leg. Wilder, for the most part, also has good footwork, which allows him to throw his vaunted overhand right with proper form and technique.

Good footwork is vital to boxing, and beginners should read our ‘8 Tips to Improve Your Boxing Footwork’ post. With good footwork, they’ll soon be able to throw an overhand right like Lomachenko, Fury, and Wilder.