Rumble in the Jungle Swamp and a Rope a Dope
Some comfy reading on a shilly day…
In many competitive situations, rope-a-dope is used to describe strategies in which one contender lets their opponent fatigue themself by drawing non-injuring offensive actions. This then gives the contender an advantage towards the end of the competition or before, as the opponent becomes tired, allowing the contender to execute devastating offensive maneuvers and thereby win.
The rope-a-dope is performed by a boxer assuming a protected stance (in Ali's classic pose, lying against the ropes, which allows much of the punch's energy to be absorbed by the ropes' elasticity rather than the boxer's body). The boxer keeps his or her guard up and is prepared for the incoming blows while looking for opportunities to counter punch his or her opponent, who by mounting an offensive may have left himself or herself open to counters. By being in a defensive posture and being prepared for the incoming blows, the boxer decreases his or her chances of being caught with a clean flush blow, as ideally a significant portion of the punches will land on the boxer's hands and arms, or will miss completely as a result of the boxer slipping the punch. Additionally, if the opponent lacks stamina, his or her power will decrease throughout the fight as he or she loses energy, and essentially "wastes" many punches into the boxer's guard.
However, a boxer employing this tactic must have a great chin and great ability to withstand punishment to be able to withstand the punches that do get through the boxer's defenses and land. Offensively, the boxer employing this tactic will look to exploit mistakes made in his or her opponent's attack by countering if the opponent has left himself or herself open. He or she will also look to mount short bursts of offensive attacks in between his or her opponent's attack, being sure to immediately get back in their defensive posture as to not leave himself or herself open to a counter attack. Despite the name, the boxer does not have to be against the ropes in order to rope-a-dope the opponent.
TY POTUS & Q… 02/15 is my Bday