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Mon Apr 20, 2009 8:30 pm EDT

Liddell simply couldn't change his bad habits, says his trainer

By Steve Cofield

Howard Davis Jr. thought he had diagnosed and solved all of Chuck Liddell's striking flaws. Those defensive problems had led to a pair of brutal knockouts and Liddell knew he needed a new voice, a striking guru to fix things. Davis Jr., one of the great Olympians in U.S. history, noticed that Liddell held his hands too low and was tipping his right hand by stepping forward with his right foot. They drilled it for eight weeks leading up to the Rua fight. It was all solved. Liddell looked great in practice but when it came time to execute, it all fell apart:

"As I was watching the fight, I saw his hands go lower and lower. His hands when right back [to where they had in the past]," Davis told Alex Donno from 790 The Ticket in Miami. "Sometimes a fighter just doesn't digest everything. They digest it in camp but when it comes to the fight they go right back to their comfort zone."

Listen to a disappointed Davis Jr. talk about what went wrong with Liddell (790 The Ticket):

Davis Jr. was also surprised it was a left hook from Mauricio Rua that finished "The Iceman":

"One of the things we worked on was moving to the right and blocking the left hook. I worked with him every single day and I threw left hooks at him and he blocked them."

Davis Jr. wouldn't say if he thought Liddell should retire. They did speak right after the fight but Davis said Liddell needs time to remove himself from immediate emotion following a loss. Davis Jr. thought it might be a good idea that Liddell drop to 185 pounds.

Thanks to Alex and Ronen with 790 The Ticket  

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68 Comments

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  1. plaster2man
    1. Posted by plaster2man Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:14 pm EDT

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    sorry, may be the only time that ever happens on here
  2. Mr.Brooks
    2. Posted by Mr.Brooks Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:21 pm EDT

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    He might not be as good a trainer as he thinks...Chuck will not drop to 185, thats a stupid idea...He should call it quits..Donnald Curry was a much better amatuer than this guy..and pro..This guy asking the questions is a tool..as is Davis..
  3. Brian C
    3. Posted by Brian C Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:38 pm EDT

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    I think chuck looked solid in the fight wit shogun, he just got caught again !!!! If he can keep his hands up and learns how not to get caught I think chuck can beat a lot of guys in the 205 division. After watching that fight wit shogun I realized that chuck is the new gate keeper of the 205 division. I say that because chuck's opponents come in always hungry for the win and he really brings out the best in the fighters he faces.
  4. BallsMickCarthy
    4. Posted by BallsMickCarthy Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:33 pm EDT

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    Howie Davis should realize that hes a boxing coach not a magician. Chuckles should move up to heavy then we can end this permanently since people think hes still going to have a chance. I say put him in there with Cheick Kongo then we will see how good he still is LMAO =) Give it up already!
  5. lou
    5. Posted by lou Thu Sep 03, 2009 11:02 pm EDT

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    Help ... I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up
  6. Nutcracker
    6. Posted by Nutcracker Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:09 pm EDT

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    I've said it a million times on here. no, i repeat no boxer wants to work with howard davis jr. he is a horrible trainer for boxing. he cant get any boxer to fight for him. so what makes any mma fighter think he can help?? go get thell torrence, or tommy brooks or countless others. davis jr. is no better than someone like ibarra. i guess it was painfully obvious in the outcome.
  7. Nutcracker
    7. Posted by Nutcracker Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:09 pm EDT

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    I've said it a million times on here. no, i repeat no boxer wants to work with howard davis jr. he is a horrible trainer for boxing. he cant get any boxer to fight for him. so what makes any mma fighter think he can help?? go get thell torrence, or tommy brooks or countless others. davis jr. is no better than someone like ibarra. i guess it was painfully obvious in the outcome.
  8. Nutcracker
    8. Posted by Nutcracker Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:09 pm EDT

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    Brian C. Woulda, coulda, shoulda. Chuck has shown repeatedly he throws wide open punches and leaves himself at bad angles with his hands down and chin up. He was getting killed by right hands from Evans and Page, and now a left hook from Rua that he threw from the next area code. If Liddell couldn't get out of the way of that hook, he has no business fighting anyone.. He is just gonna go down and not get up if he keeps pushing his luck.
  9. Nutcracker
    9. Posted by Nutcracker Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:09 pm EDT

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    Mickey. An old dog with no tricks to give. Just a bone.
  10. Nutcracker
    10. Posted by Nutcracker Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:09 pm EDT

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    Steve you should of asked him about when he used to hang around Red Brick Gym in Newark trying to get people to enlist his services. He did snag some middle aged woman that thought she wanted to be a boxer. Then he sparred with at that time a good amateur named Jerson Ravelo and got completely embarrassed. Knocked from one side of the ring to the other. Jerson was toying with Davis. It was sad really.. Even Tommy Parks (RIP) was chuckling at the spectacle. Liddell must be as dumb as he looks to enlist Davis' services.
  11. Nutcracker
    11. Posted by Nutcracker Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:09 pm EDT

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    OH, and Ross Thompson got in Davis' a$$ too... I guess he was considering a comeback till he got buzzed by an amateur and a middle tier pro.
  12. Nutcracker
    12. Posted by Nutcracker Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:09 pm EDT

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    lou. nice to see someone has the sense not to buy the Chuck/Dana Kool Aid. He is overrated. It is easy to tap the likes of Couture on the chin. Just watch the fights. He is a rassler that standing imitates a heavy bag.
  13. Nutcracker
    13. Posted by Nutcracker Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:09 pm EDT

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    Cofield reduced to writing damage control for the likes of Howard Davis Jr. The irony is thick, considering your blatant hatred of boxing Steve.
  14. Shaun
    14. Posted by Shaun Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:44 pm EDT

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    185?he looks to big to do that..But i honestly think he just hang it up..He's done alot for the sport but it should be His choice.
  15. A Yahoo! User
    15. Posted by A Yahoo! User Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:14 pm EDT

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    You know, I think what it comes down( besides the fact shougun Rua was actaully in shape and Healthy) to is the fact that chuck started of the fight great, his hands were up he avoided rushing in and kept distance, while still throwing punches, he even took rua to the mat, something he hasnt done in the last 3 or 4 fights hes been in. He looked like a diferent fighter, then he let rua up (probably to avoid grappling and reverted to carrying his hands low, rua jumped in and caught him with a punch. I dont know what else chuck could have done.
  16. matt g
    16. Posted by matt g Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:11 pm EDT

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    You can't blame Davis, Chuck was a one trick pony. His trainer Hackleman should take some blame as well. I don't know how you couldn't see the major flaws in Chucks game .
  17. Instant Money
    17. Posted by Instant Money Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:08 pm EDT

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    Old habits die hard. You live by the sword you die by the sword. That's what made Chuck great. He's not scared to bang. Technical fights make for boring fights and boos, as we all saw in the main event. Just like Chuck, that was my last time to PPV a fight in the Octagon. Dana should air the Rashad Evans fight for free.
  18. Daniel W
    18. Posted by Daniel W Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:07 pm EDT

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    Notice how ever blog they do about Chuck Liddell you are always the one that is ragging him. I mean it sounds like you have a personal problem with the guy or something. If you know so much about fighting,and who are the good trainer's out there,and who's the bad ones, than why are you not in the UFC competing. So what if Chuck Liddell lost at UFC 97,the only thing that proves is he's older,and those injuries have caught up with him. That doesn't take away the fact of what he has done in the sport. That's why I call you a joke because anybody that rags Liddell obviously have never competed as a professional athlete before. Yea I think it's time for him to retire,but give the man some respect for what he has done for the sport of mma.
  19. Daniel W
    19. Posted by Daniel W Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:07 pm EDT

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    Homos4mma those comments above were directed toward you.
  20. Daniel W
    20. Posted by Daniel W Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:07 pm EDT

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    Homos4mma,those comments were directed toward you
  21. Nutcracker
    21. Posted by Nutcracker Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:09 pm EDT

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    Daniel W. Shalom matzo ball.. How do you know what my sports history is?? I wont say on a blog as it is a joke to do so, but you dont know me, shmuck... And you obviously dont know how I know so much about Howard Davis Jr. and his history of trying to be a trainer and his shortcomings as one. Obviously I have been in the gym with him, maybe even fought and well, figure it out retard. That is why I am critical of Chuck. He is way overrated and has gotten by on very average striking ability. I call em like I see em, jock sniffer. Get off my nuts and post something of your opinion on the fighters, not me..
    And you cant be serious that his last loss only proves he is older and injury riddled. Gee, I guess getting KTFO was a totally accident the last 4 of 5 fights.. Danny Boy, you are a funny kid... I am sure all those ugly KO losses were totally lucky.. You must of been one of those calling Rampage and Evans lucky.. I kind of see a pattern here Danny. I guess you are the eternal attaboy...........
  22. Daniel W
    22. Posted by Daniel W Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:07 pm EDT

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    bla bla bla Homo4mma, I not disagreeing that Liddell style isn't affective in these days of evolved fighter's,and have never said none of those knockouts were lucky punches. I believe there is no lucky punch,those were well placed punches by Rampage,Rashad,Shogun. An obviously you were right about Howard Davis Jr.,I am not denying that at all. I just don't believe Liddell was overrated when ever he was knocking people senseless all those years,it wasn't his fought the guys he was fighting couldn't throw hands as good as he could. I think this is no different when Michael Jordan was so talented during his hay day,and at the end he couldn't compete with Younger,faster,more skilled athlete. Does that mean Jordan was overrated because he looked so good when he was playing in the 90's,and at the end he didn't look so good. No it doesn't. My argument with you is what gives you the right to criticize him,honestly have you ever competed in mma,I don't think you have. People that compete mma show respect toward's him because they know he paved the way for them. Your one of them guys that thinks he's tough s***,because he might know a little about boxing,but boxing isn't everything bro. Go to a local mma school,and challenge a guy that is good at muaythai,wrestling,jujitsu,when you live you will have a different opinion on mma. As well as a broke face,and broke arm's when the guy get's through with you.
  23. NorthWestSider
    23. Posted by NorthWestSider Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:51 pm EDT

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    I agree with brian C chuck looked good until he started dropping his hands and reaching forward. If chuck cant learn to keep his hands up he should retire by the way he is turnin 40 this year.
  24. Judoka
    24. Posted by Judoka Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:46 pm EDT

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    ok. someone has to say it. Boxing defense is not a good MMA defense. There isn't two pounds of gloves in front of a punch. Strikes are coming from a much smaller point (and hit much, much harder) and defensively you have less material to work with. Defense in stand-up is best in MMA when it comes from a complete MMA fighter. If someone knows you can take them down or strike causes an unbalance that limits your opponents options. Just look at GSP. He dominates strikers and ground game guys, and barely takes any damage. Is he the best at a particular discipline? Maybe, maybe not. But he is the most complete, and thus does better at his challenger's greatest strength than they do. I love Chuck, but his bad defense is most apparent because no one is afraid of him taking them down. You can have hole in your hands if you opponent has to worry about a much more dynamic attack.

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