Orthodox against southpaw: Boxing guide

Boxing · Style matchups · 10 minute lesson Pro

When an orthodox fighter faces a southpaw, their lead feet are on the same side. This is an open stance. Everything is mirrored: the lead hand is on your outside, the rear hands are on opposite sides, and the usual angles feel wrong.

The rule that matters most is the lead foot battle. The fighter whose lead foot is on the outside has the angle for the rear hand and the lead hook. Fight for that foot position and the rest follows.

Key points

• Keep your lead foot outside their lead foot. This gives you the angle for the cross.
• Circle away from their rear hand, which is their power hand, to your own left as an orthodox fighter.
• Lead hands face lead hands and rear hands face rear hands, so jabs and crosses can collide. Lead with your own lead hand and use it to pin theirs.
• The lead hook is a strong weapon as you come to the outside.
• Train both sides. As a southpaw, mirror every instruction.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

• Letting the feet clash and ignoring it. Check foot position every few exchanges. The inside foot is the loser.
• Circling into their rear hand. Go the other way, away from the power hand.
• Fighting them like an orthodox. Adapt the angles. The open stance changes the targets and the counters.

The rest is in the app

The step-by-step breakdown, the timed drill with the coach calling the shots and the quiz are part of Become Fighter Pro, where this lesson sits in the Style matchups module of Boxing fundamentals.

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More from Style matchups

• Beating the pressure fighter: Boxing guide
• Beating the counterpuncher: Boxing guide
• Tall against short: Boxing guide

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Combat sports training is hard on the body. Warm up, stay within your limits and check with a doctor first if you have a health condition. Practise in a clear space and stop if you feel pain or dizziness. Learn partner work only under a qualified coach.