We’ve received a lot of questions asking for explanations of the 14 ringcraft attributes that boxers in LEATHER® possess. Rather than keep answering these emails one at a time it makes much more sense to write a blog post on this, so here we go.
Stamina
Governs a boxer’s capacity to muster energy. Boxers with superior Stamina expend less energy when punching, and recover energy faster when resting during and between rounds.
Dexterity
Governs a boxer’s hand/eye coordination. Boxers with superior Dexterity can utilise their full strength with their non-dominant arm, and are better at coupling together punches with an economy of effort. They are also adept at initiating clinches.
Agility
Governs a boxer’s upper-body movement and suppleness. Boxers with superior Agility are confident with a proactive defence when boxing off the front foot: bobbing, weaving, slipping and rolling incoming shots at all ranges. They are defensively slippery, making them difficult to grasp onto in clinches.
Reflexes
Governs a boxer’s instinctive reactions, translating speed of thought into action. Boxers with superior Reflexes are confident with a reactive defence when boxing off the back foot: seeing incoming shots and dodging out of their path at long and mid ranges. Their fast reactions also allow them to fire counterpunches more effectively, and land shots on moving targets.
Hand Speed
Governs a boxer’s rapidity when punching with either hand. Boxers with superior Hand Speed can form larger punch combinations, and are better equipped to land punches against elusive fighters and when counterpunching aggressively.
Strength
Governs a boxer’s power with their arms, torso and legs. Boxers with superior Strength will cause more damage with their punches. Within clinches they are better at wrestling opponents backward, and are able to stand their ground more staunchly when on the receiving end of this tactic.
Toughness
Governs a boxer’s capacity to shrug off damage. Boxers with superior Toughness absorb blows to the head and body with less effect, and recover Consciousness and Core faster when resting during and between rounds.
Footwork
Governs a boxer’s movement, body positioning and centre of gravity. Boxers with superior Footwork are better able to exploit opponents’ missed punches and counter successfully, and follow-up their own punches with swift movement. When boxing at long range good Footwork allows longer-armed fighters to exert their reach advantage, and for shorter-armed fighters to overcome their reach disadvantage.
Cunning
Governs a boxer’s knowledge and composure, indicating how well versed they are in the tactical principles of the sport. Boxers with superior Cunning possess better positional awareness: they are adept at cutting off the ring to corral opponents, and avoid being backed onto the ropes themselves. They use their wiliness to prolong the duration of clinches they’ve initiated, and are better at landing accurate counterpunches.
Guarding
Governs a boxer’s ability to block, parry and deflect incoming punches using their hands and arms. Boxers with superior Guarding are well versed in concealing vulnerable target areas, maximising arm coverage and solidity to shield themselves from attack, both proactively and reactively. They are defensively compact, thus difficult to grasp onto in clinches.
Jab
Governs a boxer’s technique when throwing jabs. Boxers with a superior Jab throw better timed shots, producing a more accurate and effective punch to penetrate an opponent’s guard. They are also better at feinting with jabs, drawing out their opponent’s defence to expose target areas.
Cross
Governs a boxer’s technique when throwing crosses. Boxers with a superior Cross throw better timed shots, producing a more accurate and effective punch to penetrate an opponent’s guard. They are also better at feinting with crosses, drawing out their opponent’s defence to expose target areas.
Hook
Governs a boxer’s technique when throwing hooks. Boxers with a superior Hook throw better timed shots, producing a more accurate and effective punch to penetrate an opponent’s guard. They are also better at feinting with hooks, drawing out their opponent’s defence to expose target areas.
Uppercut
Governs a boxer’s technique when throwing uppercuts. Boxers with a superior Uppercut throw better timed shots, producing a more accurate and effective punch to penetrate an opponent’s guard. They are also better at feinting with uppercuts, drawing out their opponent’s defence to expose target areas.
…additionally…this next one is not technically a ringcraft attribute, but it’s important nonetheless:
Fitness
Refers to a boxer’s overall physical and mental condition. It will be depleted after every fight, so it’s important to allow it to replenish before the next bout, else your boxer’s overall ability will be impaired.
