https://commandoboxing.com/content/distancing-and-boxing-bat...
Zone 3 - Short Distance
At short distance you are literally within the striking range of your opponent. You have moved across no man's land and are in his trenches. You are too close to receive the full extension of his/her straight punches like the jab/or straight right. You are literally head to head and body to body working the inside. This type of work will be characterized by hooks and clinching.

If you're at short distance, you want to maintain the distance or have an exit strategy. In war terms, you either take and hold ground or you launch a raid and then get out with the least damage possible. To hold ground you have to remain at short distance and fight close.