THE SWARMER

The swarmer (in-fighter, crowder) is a fighter who attempts to overwhelm his opponent by applying
constant pressure taking away an opponent's spacing and timing. Swarmers tend to have a very
good bob and weave, good power, a good chin, and a tremendous punch output (resulting in a great
need for stamina and conditioning). This style favors closing inside an opponent, overwhelming them
with intensity and flurries of hooks and uppercuts. They tend to be fast on their feet which can make
them difficult to evade for a slower fighter; or are great at cutting the ring with precise footwork. They
also tend to have a good "chin" because this style usually involves being hit with many jabs before
they can maneuver inside where they are more effective.[1] Many swarmers are often either shorter
fighters or fighters with shorter reaches, especially in the heavier classes, that have to get in close to
be effective. Tommy Burns was the shortest Heavyweight champion at 5'7, while Rocky
Marciano had the shortest reach at 67-68 inches. One exception is Jack Dempsey, who was nearly
6'1 with a 77-inch reach. Famous swarmers include Henry Armstrong, Carmen Basilio, Nigel
Benn, Melio Bettina,[2] Burns, Joe Calzaghe, Julio Cesar Chavez, Steve Collins, Jack Dempsey, Joe
Frazier, Kid Gavilan, Gennady Golovkin, Romn Gonzlez, Harry Greb, Emile Griffith, Fighting
Harada, Ricky Hatton, Jake LaMotta, Rocky Marciano, Terry McGovern,[3] Sam McVey, Battling
Nelson, Bobo Olson, Manuel Ortiz, Floyd Patterson, Aaron Pryor, Alexander Povetkin, Sailor Tom
Sharkey, David Tua, Mike Tyson, Micky Ward, Wilfredo Gomez and Mickey Walker.