Whether you’re a beginner looking to build fundamentals or a seasoned fighter seeking precision, these six boxing combinations, used by top-tier professionals, offer insight into what really works at the highest levels.

1. Jab-Cross (1-2) – Deontay Wilder

The most basic combination—jab followed by cross—is also the most devastating when thrown with power and timing. Deontay Wilder uses his long reach to blind opponents with the jab, then follows up with an explosive cross that has ended multiple fights. By stepping forward with the jab, he closes distance and plants his feet for maximum power.

2. Hook to the Body + Overhand (3 low – 8) – Curmel Moton

This advanced body-head combination utilizes kinetic linking, where the energy from a body shot loads the overhand. Moton slips inside the opponent’s jab, lands a body hook, then immediately rotates to launch an overhand right. This combo is especially effective for counters and close-range brawling.

3. Jab – Rear Hook to Body – Lead Hook to Body (1 – 4 low – 3 low) – Errol Spence Jr.

Errol Spence excels at bodywork. This combination starts with a jab to close distance, forcing a high guard, then follows with two looping body hooks that exploit the opponent’s exposed sides. It’s a classic example of the “high-low” strategy using both straight and curved punches.

4. Jab – Cross – Jab (1 – 2 – 1) – Manny Pacquiao

Pacquiao surprises opponents with this three-punch blitz. The jab-cross gets the defense moving backward, and the final jab lands unexpectedly while opponents are resetting. Sometimes Pacquiao throws it while lunging in at an angle, making it even harder to anticipate or block.

5. Jab – Jab – Overhand (1 – 1 – 8) – Canelo Álvarez

Canelo uses this subtle setup to land his powerful right overhand. The double jab helps him close the gap, probe the defense, and disguise the real intent. Often the jabs are light and targeted to arms or guard, then followed by a crushing overhand that slices through.

6. Hook to Body – Uppercut to Head (4 low – 6 or 3 low – 5) – Subriel Matías

Matías thrives in the pocket, and these combos prove it. He throws tight, efficient hooks to the body that pull the guard down, then fires an uppercut through the center. Unlike traditional wind-ups, his uppercut is vertical and fast, perfect for breaking guards in tight spaces.

💡 Why These Work:
Each of these combinations plays on universal boxing principles: misdirection, pressure, high-low variance, and using one punch to set up another. Whether it’s Wilder’s brute force, Spence’s tactical pressure, or Canelo’s surgical overhand, the key is how the combo disrupts rhythm and creates openings.

📲 Bonus Tip: If you want to train these combos yourself, tools like Pro Boxing App let you simulate and practice them in rounds with structured modules.

📝 What’s Your Favorite Combo? Comment with your go-to numbers (e.g. 3–6–3) and let the community learn from your game too.