Exhibiting the Shoulder Roll While Sparring in 1990

Sparring with Derrick in June 1990.

Google search terms: "Shoulder roll":

Google search result: "The shoulder roll is an advanced defensive boxing technique—often tied to the Philly Shell stance—where a fighter uses their leading shoulder to deflect incoming punches. Instead of catching a blow with gloves in a high guard, the boxer twists their torso and raises the front shoulder to roll the strike harmlessly off target while keeping the chin tucked."

© Adeyinka Makinde (2026).

Adeyinka Makinde is a writer based in London, England.