one of the cardinal sins of boxing is backing up on a straight line. The second step is always cut at an angle to begin circling away from the ropes. Each retreating step a fighter takes puts him nearer to the ropes, where he can be trapped. A double or triple jab from the opponent and if your only defence is retreating you will soon be on the ropes with nowhere to run. Distance is significantly greater in sports that allow kicks than in boxing, but the principle remains the same – back up too readily and you can run yourself onto the fence and into a whole mess of trouble.
