> In article <37050470.0@news.cc.umr.edu>, tim wrote:
>
> > good article. i was wondering what your opinions are on boxing
> > strong-side forward, reasoning being that since the lead attacks are so
> > important and thrown more, you'd want your strong side forward. for the
> > record, i practice it both ways, but since you seem to be extremely
> > well versed in boxing, i'd like your opinion on fighting "southpaw."
>
> FB's the expert here, but here's my view anyway:
>
>
(snip)
> There are a lot of reasons for putting the less coordinated side forward.
> One is that, being forward, it is nearer to the opponent, and has a better
> chance to score. Converted southpaws (there have been a few - very few)
> tend to be "one handed" fighters - that is to say, the less coordinated
> side, being further away, is hardly ever brought into play. The advantage
> of having the "strong" side back is twofold: it is made stronger by the
> fact that it has the full force of the body behind it in the straight
> right (or straight left), and in the event that the lead side is tied up,
> the most powerful hand can still fly (this was a concern of old-time
> boxers, something Tommy Burns recounts in his 1905 "Scientific Boxing").
>
> TW
Lots of good info there. Thanks, TW.
Funny that this subject comes up, because I happen to be a right-handed
southpaw. I made the conscious decision to specialize in it about 16 years
ago.
Even though I'm a southpaw, I've spent a lot of time analyzing the orthodox
strategy and arsenal, and training in it, for two reasons:
1. As a teacher, a lot of people I teach and train favor the orthodox
approach. It comes more naturally to them.
2. Most people you would face will use an orthodox approach. "Know your
enemy . . . "
In addition to what TW wrote, here are some thoughts of mine on the subject:
I like a righty southpaw stance mainly for five reasons:
1. It throws off an orthodox game. i.e. Hardly anybody trains to face a
southpaw, whereas I train specifically to face a left lead. Even if my
opponent is southpaw, he still tends to be thrown off by the different arsenal
emphasis of a strong-side-forward opponent.
2. Having worked a long time at developing my linear lead, I like to put it
out there and pick people apart with it. This has partly to do with my bodily
dimensions (6'3", 80" reach, 218 lbs.). Most opponents (unless they know
better) don't realize you can stun them with your lead until you've already
done it.
3. My right shoulder cancels out most left hooks, leaving the cross and rear
hook as the opponent's main weapons. This makes it easier to build an attack,
since you have narrowed down the opponent's arsenal.
4. Again, thanks to some hard work, I've managed to develop my left cross,
even though I'm right handed. Owing to this, I have two linear punches with
which I have knocked opponents down and out. Most orthodox fighters (righty
left lead) have a good lead hook and a hard cross, but usually not as much of
a jab. The right cross is the main thing to watch out for if you're a
southpaw.
5. I don't have to change my lead if I need to shoot in and take him down.
i.e. I, like most people who wrestle, tend to shoot strong side forward.
Other approaches to using a southpaw stance against orthodox include:
-- Circling outside of his lead foot to nullify his cross. If he adjusts his
footwork to set up his cross -- BAM -- you cross as soon as he moves his lead
foot.
-- He slips outside your left cross or you duck his left hook, and since he is
now to your left you have a RIGHT cross or overhand. That is, in instances
where you find your opponent to your left (either circling or bobbing on a
45-90, etc.), he is now technically putting you in a momentary orthodox
stance. This is not a hook, mind you. You shoot the right cross over his
shoulder, and down he goes. This momentary change of position can also
validate the rear hook and rear uppercut (left) in some instances.
