What is "check hook"

Check \Check\ (ch[e^]k), n. [OE. chek, OF. eschec, F. ['e]chec, a stop, hindrance, orig. check in the game of chess, pl. ['e]checs chess, through Ar., fr. Pers. sh[=a]h king. See Shah, and cf. Checkmate, Chess, Checker.]

1. (Chess) A word of warning denoting that the king is in danger; such a menace of a player's king by an adversary's move as would, if it were any other piece, expose it to immediate capture. A king so menaced is said to be in check, and must be made safe at the next move.

2. A condition of interrupted or impeded progress; arrest; stop; delay; as, to hold an enemy in check.

   Which gave a remarkable check to the first progress of Christianity.
   --Addison.

   No check, no stay, this streamlet fears.
   --Wordsworth.

3. Whatever arrests progress, or limits action; an obstacle, guard, restraint, or rebuff.

   Useful check upon the administration of government.
   --Washington.

   A man whom no check could abash.
   --Macaulay.

4. A mark, certificate, or token, by which, errors may be prevented, or a thing or person may be identified; as, checks placed against items in an account; a check given for baggage; a return check on a railroad.

5. A written order directing a bank or banker to pay money as therein stated. See Bank check, below.

6. A woven or painted design in squares resembling the patten of a checkerboard; one of the squares of such a design; also, cloth having such a figure.

7. (Falconry) The forsaking by a hawk of its proper game to follow other birds.

8. Small chick or crack.

   Bank check, a written order on a banker or broker to pay money in his keeping belonging to the signer.

   Check book, a book containing blank forms for checks upon a bank.

   Check hook, a hook on the saddle of a harness, over which a checkrein is looped.

   Check list, a list or catalogue by which things may be verified, or on which they may be checked.

   Check nut (Mech.), a secondary nut, screwing down upon the primary nut to secure it.
   --Knight.

   Check valve (Mech.), a valve in the feed pipe of a boiler, or other conduit, to prevent the return of the feed water or other fluid.

   To take check, to take offense. [Obs.]
   --Dryden.

   Syn: Hindrance; setback; interruption; obstruction; reprimand; censure; rebuke; reproof; repulse; rebuff; tally; counterfoil; counterbalance; ticket; draft.

In boxing, a check hook is employed to prevent aggressive boxers from lunging in. There are two parts to the check hook. The first part consists of a regular hook. The second, trickier part involves the footwork. As the opponent lunges in, the boxer should throw the hook and pivot on his lead foot and swing his back foot 180 degrees around. If executed correctly, the aggressive boxer will lunge in and sail harmlessly past his opponent like a bull missing a matador. This is rarely seen in professional boxing as it requires a great disparity in skill level to execute. Floyd Mayweather, Jr. demonstrated a picture-perfect example of this punch against Ricky Hatton in their 2007 encounter. Ricky Hatton was caught with the check hook as he was lunging in; Hatton continued forward as he was knocked off balance and proceeded to ram his head into the ring post as Floyd Mayweather stepped out of harm's way. When interviewed, Mayweather stated that he was taught the check hook in the Michigan amateurs.