A Question for those with boxing experience...

[luv3s2sp00g3]

Let me ask you a theoretical question from a boxing strategy standpoint.

First off, I know most of you will tell me to go to a boxing gym, practice your jab, listen to your trainer and all that good stuff. "dont try and emulate your favorite pro boxer and just stick with the fundamentals". I know, I've heard it all before, but bear with me here since this is a question about theoretical boxing strategy.

I'm 6 feet tall. I have a slightly lanky build, and I'm a southpaw. I weigh about 175. I don't have much power, and I'm not awfully quick. If I were to get in a fight, instinctively I'd want to stay on the outside rather than try and rush. I just feel more comfortable on the outside. However, I don't really trust my jab too much since I'm pretty weak with my right hand. I do have pretty good confidence with my strong hand though.

What would you suggest I do against a taller fighter that has a longer reach than me and is stronger than I am (considering I'm inclined to stay on the outside)? Do I consider switching to orthodox stance, if I don't trust my right jab?

Go ahead and flame away.

[The_Italian]

you say you dont feel strong with the right hand being your jab...

are you naturally orthadox and LEARNING to fight southpaw for the advantage?

if so then thats your first mistake...master orthadox FIRST...THEN if you want to incorporate southpaw tactics it can be LEARNED...

since you say power nor speed is your friend...if you boxed a man bigger than you...stronger than you...and faster than you then you dont have many options left but to develop good defense.

you could stay on the outside with a bigger, stronger, faster fighter but you'd need to get inside and back out with the use of a jab and you'd need good defensive tactics...

remember though...as a rule of thumb with a taller and stronger fighter you WANT to stay on the inside so he cant get his full power from his punches and doesnt have room to work...on the inside you can work better and reach him easier...especially if your punches are tight and straight rather than wide or looping...

i know it would seem dangerous and scary when the hayemakers start coming out but you have to realize you are safer on the inside and can smother his punches (while still being able to score) rather than being at the end of his punches and getting the full force of each punch...

on the inside the blows wont be as powerful and many will be glancing.

its the best way to go in my opinion.

[luv3s2sp00g3]

you say you dont feel strong with the right hand being your jab...

are you naturally orthadox and LEARNING to fight southpaw for the advantage?

if so then thats your first mistake...master orthadox FIRST...THEN if you want to incorporate southpaw tactics it can be LEARNED...

No, I'm naturally left handed. In fact I'm so left hand dominant that I barely use my right hand for anything. It's a good amount weaker, but more importantly, much less coordinated than my left hand.

I've considered boxing orthodox stance, since I have a much stronger and accurate jab that way, but I also would have no big right hand behind it to back it up in that case.

[The_Italian]

No, I'm naturally left handed. In fact I'm so left hand dominant that I barely use my right hand for anything. It's a good amount weaker, but more importantly, much less coordinated than my left hand.

I've considered boxing orthodox stance, since I have a much stronger and accurate jab that way, but I also would have no big right hand behind it to back it up in that case.

are you comfortable enough to box in either stance?

if so then switching it up constantly during fights would be a good way to go...keeps fighters thinking...and while they're thinking how to deal with you when you switch stances you will have already popped him in the face with a few jabs and putting your punches together...

useful tool to be a fighter who switches from orthadox to southpaw.

[luv3s2sp00g3]

Thanks, awesome advice. Green K coming your way.


I was also wondering,

Let's say I were to fight a guy that was shorter but bulkier than me. If he was built like a bulldozer and had stockier arms. If I wanted to nullify his punching power, then getting inside wouldn't be such a great idea in that case cos of his short punches right? So basically I'd have to try and stay on the outside and nick away at him, while trying to avoid his power? It'd be like trying to defuse a bomb huh?

[Bhopreign]

Thanks, awesome advice. Green K coming your way.


I was also wondering,

Let's say I were to fight a guy that was shorter but bulkier than me. If he was built like a bulldozer and had stockier arms. If I wanted to nullify his punching power, then getting inside wouldn't be such a great idea in that case cos of his short punches right? So basically I'd have to try and stay on the outside and nick away at him, while trying to avoid his power? It'd be like trying to defuse a bomb huh?

Typically thats the way to go, all depends on also, how many rounds would this match be. Because then the question becomes how long can you keep that up, also footwork plays a major role, if he knows how to cut off the ring and you cant keep him from doing it then it just may be a matter of time before he catches you. Just keeping a jab out there against a good fighter wont work, because he will use feints to get you to throw your jab then counter with something big of his own. In other words round your game out more just in case he can think in the ring.

[luv3s2sp00g3]

Words of wisdom. Green K coming your way sir.

[Silencers]

How's your footwork? If your footwork is good enough, you can make the taller guy lead then slide inside on him to do you work, it helps that's you're a southpaw as well and use head movement against a taller guy on the outside, then step inside, inside is probably where you want to be because your arms are shorter, but don't stay inside too long because if he is stronger than you, he could wear you out a bit, but inside is the place you want to be against a taller guy.

Footwork would be key against a smaller, more compact guy, you would want to keep using your jab and then take a step to the side, preferably your opponents weak side, don't keep your jab out there too long though because it would expose you to counter shots.

And work on your jab, it's the most important punch in boxing, it can be effective against taller and shorter guys.

[The_Italian]

Thanks, awesome advice. Green K coming your way.


I was also wondering,

Let's say I were to fight a guy that was shorter but bulkier than me. If he was built like a bulldozer and had stockier arms. If I wanted to nullify his punching power, then getting inside wouldn't be such a great idea in that case cos of his short punches right? So basically I'd have to try and stay on the outside and nick away at him, while trying to avoid his power? It'd be like trying to defuse a bomb huh?

what you generally want to do with a shorter/stocky-er (dont know the right term) figher is use your height and reach to your advantage...

you want to stay on the outside and allow him to come to you...stick and move...dont allow him to get inside...when he does tie him up to force the ref to seperate you...

best bet to neutralize his power is to step AWAY from the strong hand...dont step into the direction of the power hand...

anytime when boxing its a good idea to be aware of the power hand to follow behind the jab...many fighters will try to use the jab to MASK the power hand so you never see it coming and it has more of an effect on you.

punches always affect you less when you see them coming...its the ones that you never see that do the most damage.

hope i was of help...

and i noticed when you green k'd me you said i must have had a good amount of ring experience...well i thank you for the compliment but all i've done have 5 unsanctioned/club-type fights...never anything pro or amatuer...

i just study the sport and had the oppertunity to use them a little bit but im not good...i can explain it perfectly but im not as good as using it if im boxing...so i just stick to studying the sport and enjoying it.

good luck to you.