theoretical boxing strategy question???

[luv3s2sp00g3]

This one is for all you students of the game.

I'm a lanky southpaw. If I had to say what my strong point is, I guess I'd say its my straight left. Also, I feel comfortable throwing from different angles with my left (hooks or uppercuts too). I'm not spectacular at it or extremely powerful with it, it's just my strongest suit if you were to ask me what my strengths are.
I'm not particularly quick, and I'm naturally a defensive outboxer style, and don't feel too comfortable in the pocket. Since I'm not very quick, I feel uncomfortable being rushed by an infighter. I'm not particularly good at throwing combinations either.
So I'm just wondering, what can I do against a shorter, hard punching opponent that looks to close the distance against me? Also what if hes quicker than me too? What if he boxes righthanded? I know conventional wisdom tells me that I should fight tall and use my jab a lot, but as a southpaw is my jab gonna be effective against a righty? Should I rely on my left straight? Whatever advice you could give me would be helpful.

[n4kapa]

How tall are you? I'm still trying to figure this out for myself but the little advise I have gotten of this site is... if your the tall guy stand tall and dont give up your hieght... work the jab contantly and use that footwork. I'm 6 foot 7 inches and most of the guys I fight I seem to have a fairly easy time keeping them outside and punishing them with my right. But there is one guy at my gym that I just cant seem to stop. hes about 5 foot 10 inches and he has about 10 pounds+ on me. for some reason he closes the distance on my with ease. still cant figure it out.

[aussieboxer2320]

as your a lanky southpaw u may find it harder to learn how to box, but guys are guna have issues adjusting to you as having reach on someone and standing as a southpaw is quite awkward. against a short aggressive style guy u will want to focus on throwing a "stiff" well aimed jab, snap it out and try and time it so that they walk into it as they are trying to come in and pressure you. focus on doing that and then immediately following it up with a straight left as your a southpaw. even if you arent naturally strong, get the timing right so they walk into those shots and aim them right at the point of their chin or right between their eyes. they should still do a little damage, after you have landed your straight jab and straight left combo, or just a jab on its own if u want, take a step back or to the side so you are out of their punching range and do it agen. keep your right out nearly extended and make sure its constantly in their face jabbing hard into them when they try to come in close. feint constantly and attack from severala ngles, this will confuse them a lot as your being a southpaw will have them absoloutely confused and they wont know where da punch is coming from.

sorry for all the info but try some of that out and you should have a bit more success against short aggressive infighters, another thing, if they do manage to get inside, pivot sharply to one side and get the hell outa there!

hope that helps

[fraidycat]

Develop a killer jab and stay in the center of the ring. Learn Dempsey's "jolt," a thumb-up, falling-step jab, also called a drop-step. Look it up and have your coach teach you. Also, learn a left straight (or a right straight, if you're a southpaw) -- it's harder than it looks but it is devastating at range.

He IS going to get inside, but make him pay for it.

Finally, work on moving in circles or laterally. Don't just back straight up when he comes in.

I'm 5'9", 170 lbs, and I often spar against Light Heavies who are well over 6'. It makes my life much easier when they run straight back. One guy turns and sidesteps like a bullfighter, I swear; it makes for a long round for me. But when I'm against a tall guy who has a lazy jab or a sloppy cross, and only backs up, I control the fight. I can slip or parry the sloppy punch, counterpunch on my way in, and once I'm inside and he's out of room to run, I'm safe.

[luv3s2sp00g3]

Thanks a lot for the help guys. I noticed though, in a southpaw vs. orthodox matchup, both guys seem to abandon the jab a lot. Is there something about boxing lefty vs righty that makes my jab not as useful and makes throwing my left straight more often effective? Also I'm about 6'1", but most guys I spar with are shorter than me (usually around 5'7"-5'10". I have a pretty long reach too for my height. I have more of a basketball players build than a boxer.

Also, the guy I'm talking about at my gym has a very very raw, wolverine type style. He's a very stocky stout build. He is the complete opposite of a prototypical boxer. I have literally never seen him throw a jab. In fact, he just flat out doesn't box conventionally by any sense of the word. He's pretty much a streetfighter. He has a very quick rush and throws very deceptive and quick power punches. I'm wondering how I would deal with it.

[aussieboxer2320]

against a raw fighter like that your best friend is lateral movement, pivots, and straight, accurate punching