Ron Lipton: Q & A Thread

[Adeyinka]

I was excited to recieve an extended version of Ron's DVD submission to the producers of the forthcoming Emile Griffith movie. There are affecting moments of him reminising with Griffith about the old days and sparring in what looks like a park. I think Ron understands the styles of fighters of that age -he doesn't merely mimic and I think that this will be understood by anyone who watches him explain Griffith from his warm up, anticipatory demeanour in his corner to his method of jabbing, attacking, counter attacking and defence.

Joey Giardello and Rocky Alkazoff summed it up best by respectively opining that Ron knows the styles of the fighters of the 60s as well as every sinew of their muscles. Great stuff!

[diggity]

test

[Kid Achilles]

Ron is an absolute guru when it comes to observing and understanding a fighter's physique and physical motions. He has the ability to size a fighter's body up in a very heterosexual, master mechanic observing the body of a car, sort of way. With his unique background in boxing, power punching, and bodybuilding he just has so much experience with the human body in motion it's unbelievable. I hope a world class fighter will take him on as his trainer one of these days, or at least hire him as a strength and conditioning coach, because the results would be out of this world.

Can you imagine if Ron had the opportunity to teach a guy like Valuev to actually get his bodyweight behind those shots? Kinda scares me a little!

[Ron Lipton]

Thanks Kid,

It would be my pleasure. I get great satisfaction from boxing writing but just as much from teaching punching power and conditioning.

There is a young heavyweight Matt Greer who just got a personal training tape from me. I saw a film of him working out and he hits very hard with the left hook. He loves Joe Louis and Tony Zale, two excellent choices to emulate.

I know Matt liked the tape and I hope it helps him in his pro fight in Missouri on June 24, 2006.

A nicer and more polite Rocky Marciano type guy you could never find.

best,
Ron

[Ron Lipton]

The name is very familiar, I will ask around.

Ron

[ezzthetic]

Mr. Lipton, I've enjoyed reading about you and also your posts here on this site. I only started posting here recently, but I've been a frequent visitor for years. I remember reading something you said, I don't remember where, about why people didn't do pullups in the gym. This inspired me to become a believer in bodyweight exercise and I've now had more results with chinups, pushups and dips than any of the extensive weight training programs I did in the past. I'd like to thank you for that inspiration.

I'm an amateur fighter and trained hard for three years before I tore my ACL. I've now had surgery and time to recover and I'm intent on getting back in the ring and recovering my potential. I was a jr. middleweight back in the day, but I gained significant weight after the injury that I've now trimmed down to about 180 lbs. I intend to fight at middleweight now, as I've put on a little "man-meat" as well as fat. I fought from 19-21 years old at welterweight and I'm about to turn 26, so it doesn't seem impossible to me that I've filled out a bit.

I have a video of myself sparring I'd like to ask you to take a look at and give me your opinion of what I'm doing right and wrong as well as general impressions. This is four years old and I've got a lot more technique today (I never stopped sparring and shadow boxing), but this is the only thing I have on video right now. I would be very honored if you'd take a look.

Here's a link to the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye8CJFe9V_w

I'm the southpaw. This is one month before me knee went out.

I'm sorry if my post is a bit convoluted, I've had a long day and am not at my sharpest I'm afraid!

[Ron Lipton]

I saw the video as you requested and these were my first impressions.

I like very much the way you hold your left hand, glove open ready to parry shots and while under pressure you maintain your composure.

At times you were too stiff yet showed flexibility by bending and weaving well. Your right jab needs to become more of a dangerous weapon while stepping into your target with snap on the jab, double jabs with real speed to avoid clumsy counters.

You are a brave lad, fighting someone obviously bigger than you and the more usable muscle you put on in the right way while maintaining flexibility can only help.

I miss doing chinups and dips and they were my mainstay and gave me great power but an athlete MUST warm up before jumping into wide grip chins immediatley. The lats, teres major and minor muslces can be strong but delicate if not warmed up.

The best warmup for chins is widegrip pulldowns with high reps or seated wide grip rows with high reps.

I could do 82 widegrip chins pulling up to my upper pecs and lowering all the way. I did them everyday and pictures don't lie. I did 101 dips, hitting 100 and adding one for the hell of it, then putting my kids on my back and doing sets with them. I was an animal from it.

Your lateral movement is good but your form starts to fall apart as the sparring goes on and when you are pressed. You must learn to explode to the body and get yourself in position to throw both hands from different angles and make a guy pay for coming in on you, even if you are hitting his arms, shoulders and behind his elbows.

Grab every piece of footage on Pernell Whitiker, study his moves, study Winky Wright, Alan Minter, and other southpaws and glean what will work for you while adding it to your own arsenal.

Have fun with it and don't get hurt, heal up, get the best thickest usable mouthpiece to prevent head trauma, and remember, a fighter can can hurt real bad in sparring and not get paid. Choose Wisely like the man told Indiana Jones, choose wisely.

Don't burn out in sparring and practice your moves on the bag and in front of the mirror. Have a variety of shots that can be delivered while you are in great aerobic shape and be ready in all categories before you get into that ring.

best,
your buddy,
Ron Lipton

[ezzthetic]

Thank you very much for watching and giving your comments Mr. Lipton.

I've always enjoyed watching oldtime fighters like Ezzard Charles, Archie Moore and Joe Louis, and one thing I noticed is that no matter what their rear hand is always up like you mentioned, open and ready to parry, elbow tight to their side no matter how tired they got.

I know I was rather stiff and I'm guessing that you are seeing the stiffness that comes from being a point karate fighter for five years before I found boxing. Hopefully I can show you something more recent soon and you might be able to tell me whether I'm still as stiff four years later. Sparring fat and out of shape teaches you a lot about relaxation!

You are absolutely right about the jab! I should have used it much more often and with more intent. I see so many times in those round where I could have avoided getting countered or at least put in an uncomfortable position if I'd only used the jab more. I probably would have used it more if he were my height (I'm 5'9" and he's 6'1" I think) but that doesn't excuse throwing the jab without intent and not doubling up on it.

I can't take too much credit for being brave fighting that guy, as he was younger and much less experienced... but he is a lot taller and more powerful. I probably even outweighed him by a few pounds.

I'll consider carefully what you told me about warming up for chins. I like to use the rowing machine for 1K, is that adequate?

The Icelandic record (I'm Icelandic) for dips and pullups is 54 and 32 respectively. You put that record to shame! The record is held by a boxer coincidentally! If you can double that record, I'm setting my sights on breaking it. Long term goal: 60 dips and 40 pullups! Awesome example.

I've collected every Pernell Whitaker fight there is on tape (or so I believe) and study him intently every chance I get. I can see that to a large extent, his greatness lies in his ability to see things in the present, as they are happening, and shaping and directing the direction of the action. He always knows where he is and where his opponent is and where they are going. I love the way he leads his opponent into positions where he is free to let his hands go. He knows when they are unable to counter or knows exactly what that counter would be and is ready for it. His jab especially I admire... he throws it straight so that his entire body is behind it. I've tried to emulate it, and it feels like I'm impaling my opponent, especially if I catch him stepping in. I have videos of Hopkins and Toney, who I think are great at fighting southpaws (though Toney wasn't at first) and reverse the image so I can watch them as southpaws vs orthodox fighters. It has taught me a lot. I've watched George Benton fight Rubin Carter many times and can really see how similar he was to Pernell as a fighter, although obviously not a southpaw.

I was always a mover before I hurt my leg, but I'm a lot more relaxed on the inside today and that's probably even my preferred "office"! You could probably tell I was a little uncomfortable with a 2-way exchange up close on the video.

The most important thing (in my opinion) I've added to my game since the video, is slipping. Slipping allows me to do so much more than I ever could before.

Again, thank you very much mr. Lipton, it means a lot. Boxing was banned in my country before I hurt my leg, and now that the ban has been lifted I want a chance to make my mark before I'm too old.

Regards,
Dadi Asthorsson


(PS I've always been a hard worker... this is a picture of myself from back in 2001. I'm mad at myself for ever getting out of shape.)

[Ron Lipton]

Hi buddy,

you seem to be a thinking fighter and that automatically puts you ahead of others.

Work harder, study more and practice and it pays off like hot slot machine.

Amazing you mentioned the Carter V Benton fight. That was some fight fought at not only a terrific non stop pace between two of the most dangerous fighters ever at that weight but the power, the continuous hard output amazes me to this day.

Despite Carter's detractors who hate him for his personality and deeds outside the ring, and despite his detractors pointing to his record sliding downhill in the later stages of his career, there was a time with him like with all athletes, that at a given moment in time he was so well conditioned, determined and dangerous that all one has to look at his his demolition of Griffith and Fernandez.

In the Benton fight there are exchanges where Carter is beyond blazing hot, and Benton shows his uncanny radar and defensive ability along with such toughness, durability and desire to win, it is a fight for the time capsule.

Many fights have moments where "Moves" are invented on the spot. Be a boxing afficionado, catalog these in your mind's harddrive, then practice them and call upon them when needed and you will shine above others.



Good picture of you, looks rugged and in shape.

Best of luck,

Ron

[KOJOE90]

Mr Lipton

Hope you are well. I was just browsing through Amazon.co.uk and came across this health & fitness book by Sylvester Stallone.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0...lance&n=266239


As Sly is a guy of a simular age to yourself and has also kept himself in great shape I was wondering if you were aware of the book or his training principles etc and what your opinions were?

Mr Stallone is almost old enough to be my father but I am always on the look out for any tips on keeping in shape, more so at this moment in time as I can't afford to join my locel gym (for the next few months anyway)

Many thanks.

[Ron Lipton]

Stallone has been very blessed and fortunate in his life.
I always liked the Rocky movies and admired his rise to the top by cashing in on what Chuck Wepner did with Ali. He did not give old Chuck a dime.

I read many things on him how he started out including the porno flick he did which one article stated perhaps he should have avoided doing due to his shortcomings. I did not see it or care.

However, I am very interested in his book and some guys make a lot of money listing basic exercises, how to do them as many people have no idea how to do a leg extension properly or a bench press or a tricep pressdown or how to work their shoulders without hurting themselves as they get older.

Sly, loved to play himself off in his movies and every chance he got he would be in "Flex" scene. It wore quite thin after awhile and Jim Brown in his book "Out of Bounds," called Stallone the King of the Flex.

Some guys that know him said he was extremely embarassed on how smooth and chubby he looked in the early Rocky. To remedy this he trained hard but spent a ton of dough on steroids-injections and then went on and on flexing and flexing actually writing scenes designed to do this.

It is so far from acting and so repititious that the one scene in one of the Rambo flicks had the Russian in Afghanistan torturing him while being stretched out on a fence and being zapped with electric torture.

Of course he wretched and twisted flexing every sinew he had and the gratuitious staged nature of the scene was making people hurl at how contrived it was so he could show off.

Then finally Arnold Schwarzzenger took a shot at Stallone in Twins with Danny Devito, by looking up at a poster of the bodybuilding wannabee in a bicep pose, Arnold then flexed his mighty arm and made an on screen comparison which dwarfed Sylvester's arm, then Arnold waved his image away as if to say "Puuhleease,"

Sly finally got the message and then toned the flex routine down as it was exhausted. He made a ton of money, bought priceless paintings and went through many embarssing moments losing his woman to Marc Gastineau and her embarassing public behavior afterward.

He had done so much steroids which is evidenced by his build changes that any knowledge he gained in exercise is respected by me, but the thought is what the fuck do you really look like Bro without the juice.

At his age now he loves to hang out with fighters which is cool, and the roids helped to develope some good forearms and height on his pecs.

The big story was that of his former employees saying that he was such a tin God in his own house, that if any human being in his employ DARED TO GAZE UPON HIS COUNTENANCE, they were fired. No eyes were allowed to meet his majesty.

Man, that is some sick shit to me. He traveled in Florida with a big bodyguard named Gary Compton, and would go into Fudruckers in Coconut Grove.

I saw him there one day as I was choreographing the Play, "Ali" athe Coconut Grove Playhouse. I saw his face up close and it looked like he had more facial surgury, tuck jobs, hairweaves than Michael Jackson. His cheekbones looked as thin as tissue paper and his money bought his face to turn back the clock.

He is so cruel to anyone who wants to speak with him, he sics his bodyguards on anyone who even came near him. I did not.

I am curious to know about what he eats and how he works out, and I always liked and admired him tremendously until I saw how he treated the average guy. You will never know how much that sucks compared to Ali,
and other kind famous people who love their fans.

Maybe he changed, maybe he is kinder now facing his own mortality.

He does look strong but he represents to me what my friends in the IFBB once told me. The difference between Mr. Olympia and the guy who placed 15th is this. Number one spent $75,000-$125,000 a year on steroids and number 15 spent only $10,000.

Anyone who is muscular including me is guilty of flexing in photos, but he carried it to a new level in the movies. Every single scene is designed for him to flex his shit, and the story suffers so much as did his rep as an actor.
He was never taken seriously until Copland, which was ok but not a real earth shaking performance with talent like Russel Crowe in a Gentle Mind.

I hope his book does well, and I will try to read it, but to buy it, no thanks,
Sly has enough money already, and remembe, don't look him in the eye if you meet him, you might turn into a pillar of salt.

Ron

[PeterD]

Hi Mr Lipton,

I was just wondering what referees get paid?

All the best,

Peter

[Ron Lipton]

For a major title fight outside heavyweight
$1600 plus airfare, hotel room and meals.

A small show could be a $150-$200 check. Maybe a little more now.

When I did the Holyfield V Mercer fight, I had to pay for my own meals and motel as it was non title with almost a sold out Convention Center in Atlantic City NJ and I got a whopping $500 for being the man in charge of two million dollar fighter's lives.

I also refereed David Tua that night. Still only $500.

Very generous promoter. But everyone else got comp hotel rooms.

I was just the guy in charge of the fight itself, once the bell rang, not really that important.

When I refereed WBC title fights I got $1500 plus some meal tickets.

Ron

[Juan C Ayllon]

Here's Ron Lipton working out in 2003.

[KOJOE90]

Mr Lipton.

If you had been in Marvin Haglers corner the night he fought Ray Leonard what tactical advice would you have given him?

I ask this as Hagler is my favourite Middleweight of all time and it still bugs me that he 'lost' in such a manner.

Many thanks for the reply to my Stallone question.

[Ron Lipton]

The advice would be very simple and effective.

1. Execute everything we trained to do in camp.

2. Do NOT deviate from your southpaw stance


This is what I would have done with him.

Every single sparring session would be with flashy, fast handed fighters who I would train a month before to duplicate Leonard's moves and I mean every one of them.

Then in camp Marvin would work on quick half steps, and two to three punch combinations that were delivered with lightning speed to land anywhere on Ray's torso and head.

The fastest straight and hurting punches would be practiced over and over again to be lurking in those combos and he would train to blast away on Ray without chasing him.

We would make Ray lead and if he did not, Marvin would pile up points with is double jab. In every exchange he would be able to keep blasting Ray and bumbing him off balance like Hamsho did to Czyz and like Hatton did to Kostya Tzsu.

He would train to have power and speed. Hagler was too fine that night and was too dried out.

You HAVE to train for the guy you are fighting each and every time!

[timayres]

I had a little Stallone story from a while back that relates to the things Ron was saying.

My friend's brother lived on the island of Kauai and got some work as a census taker. He got to go up to all the rich houses on the island. Stallone had a house there, and as he pointed it out to us when we were visiting, he said that while Sly was not there when he was conducting the census, he did look in a window and saw on the wall a GIANT wall-sized poster of Stallone as "Rambo" ('flexing' no doubt).

I thought to myself- that would be the last thing you would want to see if you were on this beautiful tropical island away from Hollywood. But then again I am not "Sly".

He inspired so many in "Rocky", can be so charming in interviews, but then you hear these other stories and you realize he got swallowed up in his own myth.

Tim

[Rafael]

Ron, just a quick note to thank you for the wonderful piece on Emile Griffith in the latest WAIL. One of the most fascinating boxing articles I have read in a while. Can't wait to get to the Patterson piece. Thanks again for sharing your wealth of boxing experiences with us, buddy.

[Ron Lipton]

That was very kind of you to take the time to write that Rafael.

It is so gratifying that a real boxing fan like you enjoyed the story of me and Emile.

The films of his visit are a real trip to watch, seeing him laughing fit to bust while I crack him up, especially when I told him not to have any Dick Tiger flashbacks on me while I was shadowboxing with him.

It's very hard for me to see him hurting at his age of 68, mentally,physically
and financially.

I wish those that connected to him in the past would be just a wee bit more generous now with some dough to help him.

[kikibalt]

Emile Griffith

Ron--I thought you might like this photo of your friend Emile Griffith.

Frank B.

[Ron Lipton]

Frank,

thank you very much,

you truly come up with the most wonderful boxing photos in the world.

How are your sons doing?

Ron

[Dan Hanley]

Ron, just read Champagne on Ice, totally awesome! You've got a real passion for this sport of ours, dude. I was walking through it, it was so descriptive.

Dan

[Ron Lipton]

Thank you very much Dan,

I am very proud that you enjoyed that piece and took the time to let me know.

Time goes by so quickly yet the great memories sustain us all, and the champs still live on so fondly in our hearts.

[Box1]

Hi Ron,



I was wondering what your opinion is on punchers, whether they are born or made. It would seem when comparing someone like George Foreman to another fighter such as an Ali or an Evander Holyfield that there are levels of natural punching power which George had that Ali and Holyfield could never have achieved. Yet, some people do believe that you can create punchers. What is your opinion on this matter as someone who's been around and thoroughly involved with the fight game for years ?


Thanks

[Ron Lipton]

Punching power is something I know more about than anything else.

I can truly say I have made the study of it my signature in life.

I have heard all the experts, some of them "Trainers." Some of them were fighters before but very average punchers yet they are very loud, positive and opinionated on this subject. All the boxing axioms that bore me beyond words I have heard.

Quotes:
Tall lanky guys with leverage,
You must have bad intentions,
You must want the punch to be hard, ad infinitum,
You are born with it,

I can take the Flying Nun, Mr. Peepers, Pee Wee Herman, Michael Jackson,
Richard Simmons, and everyone on Queer Eye For The Straight Guy and make them hit almost 100% harder with both hands after training personally with me.

I will also guarantee any top ten fighter in any division a knockdown or TKO in their next fight for a $25K fee, no matter who they are fighting if they train with me after all their training is done. They do not score a KO or TKO or at least one knockdown, no pay except expenses.

Gotta go now, or my woman will slap me around as I am late for dinner.
We will talk about this at a later time, if I survive the beating.

bye for now,

Ron

[cmoyle]

Ron,
I just wanted to tell you that I just got around to making the time to read your article 'Champagne on Ice' in this months Wail and that I enjoyed it very much. Great stuff.
Clay Moyle

[Ron Lipton]

Thanks Clay,

I am very happy you enjoyed it, as Emile and the great champs and contenders from his era are a pleasure for me to write about.

They are all a great part of my boxing memories.

stay well,

Ron

[Ron Lipton]

I saw an article where the promoter for Baldomir protested Larry Hazzard's appointment of Wayne Hedgepath as the referee for the fight.

I cannot figure out the NJSACB anymore. Hazzard does not return one call for 8 years and NY and NJ use guys in big fights whose films reveal the most horrific out of shape, inept mistakes that can be made in a pro ring.

All appointments are based on friendship among other things and I do not blame this guy for protesting. The injustice of it is beyond explanation at this point.

Everyone in NJ knows the score behind the scenes and brother is it ugly.
If you are part of his machine, it is just great, but the tentacle reach in the AG's office, all the alphabet groups and beyond.

No one says or does a damn thing about it. A dynasty of blackballing guys and favoritism that if the shoe was on the other foot would be called some ugly names.

[greek1237]

so the fight still on or post phone?

[theironbar]

Ron -- can you handle another complimentary post? Champagne on Ice was wonderful... you drew me right in... and Dan, if you see this, your Jeff Chandler piece was excellent as well -- you guys are going to put me off boxing magazines for good if this keeps up!

-Peter