defenseadvanced
Peek-a-Boo
Cus D'Amato's signature defensive system, developed in the 1960s and used most famously by Mike Tyson. Both gloves are pressed against the cheekbones, the elbows close to the body, the head moves constantly side-to-side, and the body is in a deep crouch. The peek-a-boo allows a short fighter to slip inside a taller opponent's punches and return with explosive uppercuts and hooks. It is a high-skill, high-condition style — only sustainable at a young, peak athlete level.
Key points
- ▸Gloves pressed against the cheekbones — not above the brow.
- ▸Deep crouch — feet wider than shoulder width.
- ▸Constant head movement — the head never sits still for more than 0.5 seconds.
- ▸Slip outside the jab; slip inside the cross.
- ▸Counter every slip — never slip without throwing.
Common mistakes
- ✗Standing tall — defeats the whole system.
- ✗Static head — the opponent times the punch.
- ✗No counter after the slip.
- ✗Maintaining the crouch when out of range — wastes leg energy.
Drills
- Slip-bag drill: hang a ball on a string at head height; slip it for 3 minutes.
- Heavy-bag: 3 rounds of slip-jab-slip-cross + uppercut.
- Shadow: 5 rounds in peek-a-boo posture, focusing on never-static head position.