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Tex’s Southpaw Study: A Look at the Lefty
Tex’s Southpaw Study: A Look at the Lefty
By Daniel “Tex” Cohen-December 27, 2008
Hundreds of years ago, they were stoned to death for witchcraft. In the boomer generation, nuns smacked them on the hand with rulers. They make up an overwhelming proportion of US presidents. They are cherished in all sports for their versatility, uniqueness and ambidextrous tendencies. In some ways, nothing beats a southpaw.
The left handed fighter is usually also given some inherent credit in pre fight analysis. The fact that a southpaw is belting from the other side of the plate means that he presents a different angle for an orthodox fighter than most of the standard fighters in a gym. The question remains whether or not southpaws are actually more difficult to fight.
There are plenty of different methodologies one could use to determine that factor. I performed an in-depth study of current southpaws, all with different parameters and/or sources of data, to test the old hypothesis.
Methodology
This study looked at the top rankings of Ring Magazine and compiled the alphabet belt holders, then calculated what percentage of lefties holds belts and ranked positions. From there, the study proceeded to break down each category by points total in reverse order. Pound for Pound rankings counted as twice as many points as division rankings. Fighters were also given added advantage by containing more than one title (divisional and Pound for Pound). For example, Manny Pacquiao and Joe Calzaghe were both allowed to maintain points for their divisional titles and their Pound for Pound titles. Pacquiao receives 8 for a third place finish at lightweight, 6 for a fifth place finish at welterweight and 20 for his Pound for Pound Championship, leaving him with 34 points. Fighters are also given a five point bonus for holding a championship in any division outside of the Pound for Pound List.
This study allows us to see if southpaws or orthodox style fighters receive more points from the methodology. The results of the Pound for Pound List by are tabulated here:
Manny Pacquiao, Lightweight/Welterweight, #1 P4P, 34 Pts., Lefty
Juan Manuel Marquez, Lightweight, #2 P4P, 33 Pts., Righty
Joe Calzaghe, Light Heavyweight, #3 P4P, 31 Pts., Lefty
Israel Vazquez, Junior Featherweight, #5 P4P, 27 Pts., Righty
Bernard Hopkins, Light Heavyweight, #4 P4P, 24 Pts., Righty
Antonio Margarito, Welterweight, #6 P4P, 20 Pts., Righty
Ivan Calderon, Junior Flyweight, #9 P4P, 19 Pts., Lefty
Rafael Marquez, Junior Featherweight, #7 P4P, 18 Pts., Righty
Ricky Hatton, Junior Welterweight, #10 P4P, 17 Pts., Righty
Miguel Cotto, Welterweight, #8 P4P, 15 Pts., Righty
The first interesting part of this data is the way that the actual Pound for Pound List is reshaped to include a heavy philosophical leaning toward the concept that a fighter’s Pound for Pound Status should be judged according to his own division. By this logic, Kelly Pavlik would be roughly tied with Miguel Cotto for tenth on the list. Ivan Calderon is helped the most by this methodology while Miguel Cotto is hurt the most. This newly qualified list based on the original data from the Ring is still a very good list. Either method puts Pacquiao, Marquez and Calzaghe as 1, 2 and 3 on the list.
The Final Results are tabulated here:
Divisions Only
Southpaws- 280 pts.
Orthodox - 637 pts.
Divisions Plus P4P
Southpaws – 355 pts.
Orthodox – 703 pts.
Southpaws racked up 33% of the points, a rate that greatly over represents their place in society. Lefties are around 10% of the world population.
The first question about this thirty percent is whether or not it matched the makeup of the fighters in pure ratio. The answer is an emphatic “No.” Lefties made up only 20% of all of the fighters on the list, but managed to take 30% of the divisional points.
The best categories for the southpaws were junior middleweight and bantamweight, where they hold six of ten ranks in each division, light heavyweight, where they hold a champion, and light flyweight, where they hold another champion.
One alternative interpretation of this data might suggest that there are more southpaws in boxing in general because of the idea that favoring the left hand will help in the sport. Even if that changed the face of the data compiled here, that theory would still support the idea that a boxer is better off as a southpaw.
Limitations
This study used The Ring Magazine’s rankings as a guideline because The Ring has one of the best reputations in Boxing. There are clear limitations concerning subjectivity when using private estimates in a scientific experiment, but boxing’s natural rebellion against the purity of statistical data present an even larger challenge The assumption that numbers can predict the possible variables that come into play at a moment’s notice in a fight has been proven false numerous times in the fight game. This study aimed to discuss a broad generalization and interpret whether the numbers match analyzed reality.
Suggestions for Future Research
Finding head to head match ups between the fighters analyzed in this study and figuring out the records of different fighters against lefties and righties would greatly assist in assessing the validity of the original claim.
Quick Jabs
Flyweight Maruti Mthalane did not receive any credit for his one point ranking because his stance is not listed.
The minimum weights were excluded from this study.
I had to Youtube Ali Funeka to get a look at him. He is an awesome fighter with a killer jab and excellent pop in both hands. He is also fighting Nate Campbell in February. Expect a great fight, and credit Campbell with taking on such a game competitor.
By Daniel “Tex” Cohen-December 27, 2008
Hundreds of years ago, they were stoned to death for witchcraft. In the boomer generation, nuns smacked them on the hand with rulers. They make up an overwhelming proportion of US presidents. They are cherished in all sports for their versatility, uniqueness and ambidextrous tendencies. In some ways, nothing beats a southpaw.
The left handed fighter is usually also given some inherent credit in pre fight analysis. The fact that a southpaw is belting from the other side of the plate means that he presents a different angle for an orthodox fighter than most of the standard fighters in a gym. The question remains whether or not southpaws are actually more difficult to fight.
There are plenty of different methodologies one could use to determine that factor. I performed an in-depth study of current southpaws, all with different parameters and/or sources of data, to test the old hypothesis.
Methodology
This study looked at the top rankings of Ring Magazine and compiled the alphabet belt holders, then calculated what percentage of lefties holds belts and ranked positions. From there, the study proceeded to break down each category by points total in reverse order. Pound for Pound rankings counted as twice as many points as division rankings. Fighters were also given added advantage by containing more than one title (divisional and Pound for Pound). For example, Manny Pacquiao and Joe Calzaghe were both allowed to maintain points for their divisional titles and their Pound for Pound titles. Pacquiao receives 8 for a third place finish at lightweight, 6 for a fifth place finish at welterweight and 20 for his Pound for Pound Championship, leaving him with 34 points. Fighters are also given a five point bonus for holding a championship in any division outside of the Pound for Pound List.
This study allows us to see if southpaws or orthodox style fighters receive more points from the methodology. The results of the Pound for Pound List by are tabulated here:
Manny Pacquiao, Lightweight/Welterweight, #1 P4P, 34 Pts., Lefty
Juan Manuel Marquez, Lightweight, #2 P4P, 33 Pts., Righty
Joe Calzaghe, Light Heavyweight, #3 P4P, 31 Pts., Lefty
Israel Vazquez, Junior Featherweight, #5 P4P, 27 Pts., Righty
Bernard Hopkins, Light Heavyweight, #4 P4P, 24 Pts., Righty
Antonio Margarito, Welterweight, #6 P4P, 20 Pts., Righty
Ivan Calderon, Junior Flyweight, #9 P4P, 19 Pts., Lefty
Rafael Marquez, Junior Featherweight, #7 P4P, 18 Pts., Righty
Ricky Hatton, Junior Welterweight, #10 P4P, 17 Pts., Righty
Miguel Cotto, Welterweight, #8 P4P, 15 Pts., Righty
The first interesting part of this data is the way that the actual Pound for Pound List is reshaped to include a heavy philosophical leaning toward the concept that a fighter’s Pound for Pound Status should be judged according to his own division. By this logic, Kelly Pavlik would be roughly tied with Miguel Cotto for tenth on the list. Ivan Calderon is helped the most by this methodology while Miguel Cotto is hurt the most. This newly qualified list based on the original data from the Ring is still a very good list. Either method puts Pacquiao, Marquez and Calzaghe as 1, 2 and 3 on the list.
The Final Results are tabulated here:
Divisions Only
Southpaws- 280 pts.
Orthodox - 637 pts.
Divisions Plus P4P
Southpaws – 355 pts.
Orthodox – 703 pts.
Southpaws racked up 33% of the points, a rate that greatly over represents their place in society. Lefties are around 10% of the world population.
The first question about this thirty percent is whether or not it matched the makeup of the fighters in pure ratio. The answer is an emphatic “No.” Lefties made up only 20% of all of the fighters on the list, but managed to take 30% of the divisional points.
The best categories for the southpaws were junior middleweight and bantamweight, where they hold six of ten ranks in each division, light heavyweight, where they hold a champion, and light flyweight, where they hold another champion.
One alternative interpretation of this data might suggest that there are more southpaws in boxing in general because of the idea that favoring the left hand will help in the sport. Even if that changed the face of the data compiled here, that theory would still support the idea that a boxer is better off as a southpaw.
Limitations
This study used The Ring Magazine’s rankings as a guideline because The Ring has one of the best reputations in Boxing. There are clear limitations concerning subjectivity when using private estimates in a scientific experiment, but boxing’s natural rebellion against the purity of statistical data present an even larger challenge The assumption that numbers can predict the possible variables that come into play at a moment’s notice in a fight has been proven false numerous times in the fight game. This study aimed to discuss a broad generalization and interpret whether the numbers match analyzed reality.
Suggestions for Future Research
Finding head to head match ups between the fighters analyzed in this study and figuring out the records of different fighters against lefties and righties would greatly assist in assessing the validity of the original claim.
Quick Jabs
Flyweight Maruti Mthalane did not receive any credit for his one point ranking because his stance is not listed.
The minimum weights were excluded from this study.
I had to Youtube Ali Funeka to get a look at him. He is an awesome fighter with a killer jab and excellent pop in both hands. He is also fighting Nate Campbell in February. Expect a great fight, and credit Campbell with taking on such a game competitor.