Who is N.P. Isaev?

Nikolai Petrovich Isaev was a distinguished boxing coach who left an indelible mark on the sport. On November 11, at the age of 63, after battling a prolonged illness, he passed away. This sad news was announced on the official Instagram page of the Boxing Sports Federation of Saint Petersburg.

In his illustrious career, Nikolai Isaev trained notable boxers, including the WBA world champion in the light heavyweight division. Other renowned pupils under his guidance included Imamov, Tukhvatulin, and many more. Over the course of his teaching career, Isaev mentored 32 Masters of Sport holders (a designation to the top boxers of the Soviet Union/Russia) , and 2 international class sports masters.

Interestingly, while Bivol can be seen employing Isaev’s techniques in amateur fights, it appears he has moved away from them in his professional fights. This shift is not uncommon; the demands and strategies of professional boxing can differ significantly from amateur boxing.

The primary advantages of Isaev’s school of boxing are the speed of the punch and the emphasis on long-range combat. This makes it particularly suitable for tall athletes. 

From the videos the following is visible:

  1. Work on Balls of Foot: This seems to be a pivotal aspect. The idea is to land on the balls of the foot with each jump, using it as a springboard to generate momentum for the punch.
  2. Hand Positioning: Both hands should be held above the shoulder. The rationale is that you can’t effectively throw anything, in this case, a punch, with your hands positioned below your shoulder. While other boxing schools advise against raising the hands too high to avoid shoulder stiffness, Isaev taught how to relax the shoulders in this position, setting the stage for a ballistic punch.

However, there are some reservations:

  1. Mainstream Acceptance: Isaev’s school isn’t mainstream. There’s limited literature on it, and few widely recognized mentors. While there are some notable names like Bivol associated with it, other boxing schools boast their own set of renowned boxers. If you strictly adhere to Isaev’s techniques and join another training center, you might face resistance from trainers who have different beliefs. This can be discouraging for those keen on mastering Isaev’s techniques.
  2. The Heel Emphasis: This is a major concern. The exaggerated focus on landing on the heels, especially during training, can be detrimental. For a mature, heavy individual, repeatedly landing on the heels can be damaging to the joints and spine. While young athletes might handle it due to their flexible ligaments.