Advantages of being a Southpaw in boxing?

Question

I've heard that Southpaws have some advantages in boxing. Im a southpaw and would love to box. What are my Advantages in the ring, if Any?

Answer 1

Well, being a southpaw can give an element of suprise! Some boxers of an orthodox stance (those who arent southpaw) learn to box southpaw as well in order to quickly make a change to suprise the opponenet. A quick change could put the opponent back a second or so. While this may not seem like much, it is enough to shock an opponent and get a punch or two in. This fact is well known to boxers and was employed to world-record effect on Nov. 4th 1947 when Mike Collins, a natural left-hander, emerged from his corner in a right-handed stance before suddenly shifting left and delivering the fight's first and last punch, knocking out opponent Pat Brownson in 4 seconds.



On a more personal note, I used to do Karate. I am left-handed. I know that karate sparring and competition is much different as we use kicks as well as punches but the fact that being a southpaw is unexpected is the same. My brother (also southpaw) and I both were taught as right-handers like the others, and always had to do twice as many reps. on the left had side. I believe that while this wasnt the best thing, it was still good. I fought from a right-hand/orthodox stance usually but did switch from time to time. The opponent would often be shocked and I could get in a fair few good hits.





If you are quick, you can get in huge hits while changing stance. Starting from the orthodox stance, your opponent becomes open when you switch. A large portion of skin, often under hte heart (one of the best target areas) is exposed!



Good luck! Email me with any questions

Answer 2

If you are left handed and you fight as a southpaw, the advantage is that you fight in a style that is typically not seen and the majority of your opponents will fight in the orthodox (or right handed) style. Since the majority of boxers are orthodox, when they fight a southpaw, they are fighting a style that is the opposite of what they usually see- instead of the jab coming at their right side, it comes at their left, and the power punches come from the opposite side as well, so it is just more confusing and difficult to fight a southpaw. Even when a southpaw faces another southpaw, it is confusing because of the same reasons why it is confusing for an orthodox fighter- they are fighting against a style that they do not usually see. If you are right handed and you fight as a southpaw, the advantage is everything that I just stated as well as a personal advantage to you- the majority of the punches that are thrown come from your lead hand, so for some, there lies an advantage with having your dominant hand closer to your opponent. When your stronger hand is closer to your opponent, it gives you a better jab and you can hook and uppercut off of it much easier than if it was further from your opponent. The disadvantage is obviously that you cannot get as much leverage on it since your weaker hand is being used as your power punch, however you can always switch stances during the fight.

Answer 3

I'm a fellow southpaw, and I've always been told by coaches that left-handers have the advantage of "the element of surprise" in boxing and many other sports.



I also listened to this NPR segment about left-handed snails defeating right-handed crabs and thought it might give you some answers to your question. In addition, I found this ABC News segment from a year ago that might help you out too.

Answer 4

y While all Boxer train for righties, even most Sparing partners are righties. When you Face a lefty, after training Right. you tend to watch the right hand more, so lefties can sneak a few extra blows in, when you see that they are looking at the right hand. Sometimes so much so that you can knock them out.

Answer 5

Because many boxers just train for right handed opponents. Therefore you have the element of surprise and strength from the other side. Hope you knock them out.

Answer 6

i do MMA. i love CHOCKING my opponent out and making him TAP! Punch him in the face get him on the floor then some more punches then throw some knees to the head and get him in an armbar and make him TAP!

Answer 7

they train for righties and the righties have a harder time blocking and getting on the offensive against a lefty

Answer 8

ITs better because people fight other people right handed a lot .so it can confuse them when there blocking and dodging.