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Darren Till vs Luke Rockhold Keys to Victory: Breaking down tactics of each fighter
As this fight week has persisted, it has become increasingly clear that Darren Till and Luke Rockhold cannot stand each other.
The former UFC stars will finally have their chance to throw hands Saturday at Misfits 22 on the Ring of Thrones card from AO Arena in Manchester, United Kingdom, and live on DAZN Pay-Per-View.
Till (2-0, 1 KO) has been making a name for himself in professional boxing, flashing sweet science skills in his two victories under the Misfits banner. This past May, he dropped Darren Stewart twice en-route to a rousing unanimous decision victory. Meanwhile, after suffering his third consecutive defeat in the UFC in August 2022, Rockhold will be making his pro boxing debut Saturday.
Will Till continue to drive his boxing stock up by several shares with another impressive victory? Or will Rockhold start to make a splash for himself in boxing at Till’s expense?
With the tension between these two reaching a fever pitch, DAZN News analyzes the Keys to Victory for Till and Rockhold.
Darren Till’s Keys to Victory
Pressure methodically early
In two pro boxing bouts thus far, Darren Till has been consistent in pressuring off the front foot effectively.
Against a Luke Rockhold who is making his boxing debut, Till must be measured in walking his fellow former UFC fighter down.
Till can start that forward press behind the jab before letting heavier artillery from the southpaw stance go.
Drive the volume up
Once Till has cut off the ring, he should look to crank up the pressure by driving his punch output all the way up.
Testing Rockhold by putting him through fire by volume like this should give Till an accurate indicator on the punch palette needed to dispose of the former UFC middleweight world champion.
Launch the left hand
It could be generated as a straight through the guard, a crunching hook or slicing uppercut, but early and often, Till must flash the sweet science repertoire that he has developed with his potent left hand.
He unleashes the apt left at the right time and it could very well be a forgettable pro boxing debut for Rockhold.
Luke Rockhold’s Keys to Victory
Show a disciplined guard
Luke Rockhold’s trainer Pedro Neme Jr told DAZN that his charge is “actually a really good boxer.”
If Rockhold is going to show that, the 40-year-old can start by using a disciplined guard.
At times against Paulo Costa, Rockhold showed little to no guard and it left him vulnerable to blistering left hands from the Brazilian.
Against Darren Till, a fellow southpaw, Rockhold cannot afford to have these lapses in his guard. It must be high and tight to thwart Till’s offense or Rockhold is going to find himself in serious trouble quickly.
Work behind the jab to withstand Till’s pressure early
In his pro boxing debut, Rockhold must stand up to Darren Till’s pressure early.
Rockhold could show resistance to Till’s pressing by working behind the jab and using the stick to push the English fighter's advances back.
Refusing to let Till walk him down will go a long way towards Rockhold building his confidence in the ring.
Seize opportunities
Though Till has flashed considerable boxing skills, he is only 2-0.
If there is something that Rockhold could perhaps exploit, it might be that Till’s guard is not always complete, either.
He, too, shows lapses on defense, lowering his guard altogether at times.
If Rockhold can spot these lapses and capitalize behind the jab, turning the stick into combinations, we could have an exciting matchup and one that perhaps even leads to an upset victory.
Watch Misfits 22 - Ring of Thrones with DAZN PPV
Watch Darren Till versus Luke Rockhold and Tony Ferguson against Salt Papi, plus Dillon Danis, Joey Essex and more fight Saturday, August 31 only on DAZN Pay-Per-View.
