One-Two-Three (1-2-3)

The three-punch staple: jab, cross, lead hook. The hook arrives at a fresh angle after the cross has straightened the opponent up, making the lead-hook landing zone wider than usual. Sugar Ray Leonard used the 1-2-3 as his signature scoring combination throughout his career.

Key points

• ▸The hook follows the cross within 0.2 seconds — no pause.
• ▸Step the lead foot to a slight inside angle for the hook.
• ▸Pivot the lead foot for the hook — not just the arm.
• ▸Lead hand returns to the chin between cross and hook.
• ▸Exit the combination with a step-off — the hook leaves you square.

Common mistakes

• ✗Forgetting the pivot on the hook — soft punch.
• ✗Standing tall on the hook — opens to a counter cross.
• ✗Throwing all three with the same rhythm — predictable.
• ✗No exit — caught after the hook.

Drills

1. Heavy-bag: 5 rounds of 1-2-3 with a pivot exit after the hook.
2. Mitts: catcher calls "1-2-3" with the third mitt held at hook angle.
3. Shadow: 5 rounds of 1-2-3 with focus on the inside angle of the hook.

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