“Don’t Turn Your Back in a Fight”: Ryan Garcia’s Back Roll Compared to Floyd Mayweather’s Defense Against Conor McGregor Draws Mixed Reactions From Fans

Ryan Garcia won. He knocked out Oscar Duarte in the eighth round of their match, which took place at Houston’s Toyota Center on December 2. It was not exactly the finest evening for a boxer who specializes in ending fights early. However, it was his employment of the time-tested ‘Philly Shell’ technique that became a hot potato among the fans and the media. During the post-fight presser, Garcia explained how the shoulder roll took form and then how it evaporated as well.

Malachi Williams is the host of the TRU Media Boxing Radio podcast and a well-known fitness and boxing trainer. He gave his two cents on the matter recently. Williams attached an old image of Floyd Mayweather Jr. defending himself from Conor McGregor during their 2017 bout along with the Garcia-Duarte bout. Both pictures appear similar in the way Mayweather Jr. and ‘KingRy’ are standing with their backs facing their respective opponents. He wrote, “Wow. Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor – Ryan Garcia vs. Oscar Duarte.”

Shoulder Roll: Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Ryan Garcia

Many fans came up with their own explanations of how the fight, especially Mayweather Jr.-McGregor, transpired. The second-highest-grossing PPV match of all time was the last fight when ‘TBE” recorded his last appearance as a professional boxer.

The following user simply highlighted the fact that a boxer should never show his/her back to the opponent in a bout.

However, to this follower, despite what they did, the fact remains that both Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Ryan Garcia ended up winning by early stoppages.

But this user wondered what either Mayweather Jr. or Garcia could have done when their opponent started throwing right and left hooks simultaneously.

Then this follower went a bit more specific. According to them, Conor McGregor started hitting Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the back of the head.

Finally, this follower highlighted that the Mayweather Jr.-McGregor bout was clearly just a sparring bout with an exhibition twist.

From the videos, it’s clear that Garcia’s usage of the shoulder roll definitely amused many. But thankfully, most took to it kindly enough and discussed it on a lighter note. Nevertheless, this particular technique in boxing has amassed fame for its efficiency and effectiveness.

The toughest defense to break in

The technique in question, the ‘Philly Shell’ or, more commonly, the ‘shoulder roll’, owes its main stream acceptance to George Benton. The middleweight boxer, who trained the likes of Evander Holyfield, Oliver McCall, and Pernell Whitaker, used the method extensively. It has now become one of the most widely recognized techniques in defensive boxing. But the person who mastered the shoulder roll to near perfection and who has kind of become synonymous with it remains Floyd Mayweather Jr. He learned it from his father, Floyd Mayweather Sr., an early practitioner.

Mayweather Jr.’s ability to revolutionize the ‘Philly Shell’ through his usage of lightening fast reflexes and technical wizardry propelled him to the summit of boxing greatness.

Read More: “Did Ryan Take Too Many Shots to the Back of His Head?”: Fans in Disbelief as Ryan Garcia Makes Bold Comparison Between Gervonta Davis and Recent Opponent Oscar Duarte

Do you think Ryan Garcia might resort to the shoulder roll more often in upcoming fights?

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