Dempsey roll

The Dempsey roll is boxing technique culled from the aggressive, bobbing and weaving style characteristic to the Heavyweight champion of the 1920s, Jack Dempsey. It is a "rolling" move that requires considerable speed and strength of the lower body. It begins with a series of dodging and ducking motions, using the abdomen and legs to turn the upper body. During this stage, the head and shoulders move in a near figure-eight pattern. As one speeds up, one moves forward a step at a time. Once approaching the opponent, one pushes with the legs and utilizes momentum created by the rolling motion to throw powerful, smooth punches, often hooks, to the body or head—while still moving back and forth in the figure-eight to keep up the momentum and avoid incoming punches. However, the simple and predictable side-to-side movement makes it vulnerable to well-aimed counterpunches and head-on shoves. The most effective use of the style requires that the boxer break his rhythms while approaching.

Long after the end of Dempsey's reign over the boxing world, his technique was used to great effect by boxers with similar builds and styles. Most notable of these was "Iron" Mike Tyson, whose short stature allowed him to duck under opponents' punches using the Roll far more easily than a taller boxer would have been able to, and whose enormous punching power resembled that of Dempsey himself