We are not pros when it comes to breathing techniques, but we have noticed that changing the sound you make when you exhale while punching can affect how you generate power through your core. It also impacts how you hold your head and leverage your punches. You'll find that certain sounds can make it easier to throw more powerful or faster punches. Another thing to consider is how different sounds require you to hold your jaw or clench your teeth, especially with a mouthguard. It really comes down to personal preference, but heres our take on it.
The "UNNGH" sound is for generating digging power. It's similar to the "OOOSH" sound as both involve a forward lean and use your front body muscles. The difference is that "UNNGH" feels like it comes more from your core/abdominals rather than your chest, like "OOOSH." This makes it better for digging punches, like hooks and uppercuts to the body, and for fast combinations on the inside. The "UNNGH" sound does take more effort, but you can use it in various ways. Some fighters use it to dig in with urgency, while others throw single shots in a more relaxed manner. The "UNNGH" can actually be quite relaxing when thrown slower or one at a time.
Various Digging Punches: Errol Spence, Danny Garcia
Digging/Speed Combos: Roy Jones, Vitali Klitschko, Adrien Broner
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The OOOSH sound is when you're throwing punches with your head leaning forward. It's perfect for aggressive fighters, those who push forward, or anyone who likes to throw overhand punches. It seems like this sound comes out when you slightly contract your mid-section and it feels like it comes from your chest rather than your back. Some fighters make a tighter sound like OOH! by pushing out less air. This sound works great for tucking your chin and throwing strong straight punches or big overhand rights or lefts. Its also useful for putting power behind your punches without needing to explode. The OOOSH sound is more relaxed and doesnt need as much burst as the EEESH sound. Depending on your body movement, it can be slower and more tiring or more relaxed and stronger compared to EEESH.
Overhand Punches: Marcos Maidana, Gennady Golovkin
Relaxed Combinations: Manny Pacquiao
The IMMHH sound is all about combining speed and strength. Its like a modified version of the EEESH sound but with your mouth closed, letting out a bit more air, and your core working harder. Some fighters keep their lips closed and sound more like HMMMF. This sound is good for longer, speedier combos or adding power to quick punches. It feels like it uses too much air and doesnt suit long-arm punchers, making them tired faster.
Various Speed Combinations: Manny Pacquiao
Various Snapping Punches: Paulie Malignaggi, Yuriorkis Gamboa
The EEESH sound is the fastest and most relaxed. Its like a quick, tight sound that comes from a small exhale through your closed teeth, with a bit of force from your core. Some fighters get a BEESH sound if their lips are closed. It uses very little air, so you can throw a lot of punches without getting winded. Its great for quick counters and speedy punches like potshots and shoeshine flurries. The downside is it might not generate the most power, but its still pretty strong.
Potshot/Speed Punches: Canelo Alvarez, Nonito Donaire, Marco Antonio Barrera, Mike Tyson
The AGHHH sound is the most powerful. Is it the most powerful? Hard to say, but it definitely feels like it. The AGHHH sound seems to activate your back more and channels a powerful energy through your body and core. It comes from the back of your throat through an open mouth, and some fighters get a PAH sound if their lips are closed. Its great for wider or hooking hard punches since you have more time to chop that AGHHH sound through your body. The drawback is it uses a lot of energy and air, so you cant throw more than a couple of punches at a time with it. Its not ideal for combinations, but its popular with power punchers.
AUTCH! version: Keith Thurman
Hooks/Body punches: Andre Ward, Miguel Cotto, Danny Garcia, Ricky Hatton
Power punches: Anthony Joshua, Canelo Alvarez, Adrien Broner, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao
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Beyond the physical benefits, the sound of breathing in boxing has a significant psychological impact. It serves as a mental anchor, providing stability and calm amidst the chaos of a match. By focusing on their breath, boxers can maintain a clear and composed mind, essential for strategic thinking and quick decision-making. Moreover, the audible aspect of breathing can have a deterrent effect on opponents. A boxer who breathes loudly and forcefully projects confidence and aggression, potentially unsettling their rival and gaining a psychological advantage.
So, basically, as you play around with making different sounds from various positions, you'll notice that these sounds can really influence how you fight. They can impact your punching power, speed, explosiveness, ability to stay relaxed, reduce telegraphing, and just overall body control. In general, Ive noticed that fighters who make the "AAA" sound tend to be more powerful. Those who use the "EEE" sound are usually faster and more relaxed. The "OOO" sound is often linked with strength or aggression. And the "UNG" sound can make fighters more tense, which can be good or bad. Most fighters will use at least two of these sounds regularly, if not all of them. So, go ahead and experiment, learn more about yourself, and switch things up as needed.
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