A video of Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho boxing surfaced online, capturing the attention of netizens on the evening of Thursday, January 9, 2020.
A sweaty Joho could be seen modelling Floyd Mayweather, showcasing a wide variety of boxing techniques.
There are four generally acknowledged boxing styles which define a boxer: a swarmer, an out-boxer, a slugger and boxer-puncher. Surprisingly, the ODM deputy party leader can be described as an out-boxer.
In the video, Joho maintains a gap between himself and throws fast long-range punches, often relying on his quick feet to compensate for the lack of power in the punches.
Adding to his arsenal, Joho boasts of ambidexterity. This is the ability to utilise both arms with ease. In the clip, Joho switches back and forth, throwing punches with either fist. Again shadowing a professional.
The governor effectively switches between stances, effectively executing the use of both his arms, a technique often referred to as switch-hitting by boxers.
He surely knows what he is doing, or rather, he has been trained well. On offence, Joho traverses from an upright stance, semi-crouch to full crouch, and from each, he is able to orchestrate an attack.
However, in the clip, he only utilises the jab- a quick straight punch thrown with the lead hand from the guard position, and a bolo punch.
On the defence, Joho near-perfectly executes the bob and weave. Bobbing involves moving the head in a circular motion and beneath an incoming punch. As the opponent's punch arrives, Joho bends his legs quickly and simultaneously shifts the body either slightly right or left.
After ducking the punch, he gets back to an upright position, emerging on either the outside or inside of the opponent's still-extended arm.
He also executes the peek-a-boo, defence style where his hands are placed in front of the boxer's face.
