Here I will be discussing proven tactics used when sparring or competing against a southpaw boxer. This is a frequent question I get asked at Boxrite. Below are pointers that are not only applicable for boxing but combat sports in general when against a left handed opponent.
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The left or lead hook is an effective punch every fighter should master, a well-timed hook can have a devastating effect on an opponent. The hook travels a short distance from the start point to the target, making it difficult to defend against. The power is generated from the hip rotating in the direction of the hook transferring the bodyweight from the lead to rear foot. In this blog I will refer to this punch as lead hook because Southpaw stance boxers lead with the right hand.
It takes many hours of training in the gym in developing the hook, initially focus mitt training with the coach to learn correct technique and body mechanics, then undertaking set partner drills including defences against a hook. Punching bag training improves timing and gauging range as the bag sways in different directions, the boxer will use correct footwork to manoeuvre into position and strike the bag with either single lead hooks or combination punches that include the lead hook.
Read More:5_Tips_to_Improve___Strengthen_Left_Hook_-_FIGHTMAG
The floor to ceiling ball, also known as the double-end bag, is an air-filled ball suspended by elastic cords from the floor and ceiling. Varying in shape and size depending on the boxer’s intended training objectives:
The tension of the cords effect the movement speed after being struck, if the cord tension is tight the ball will be rebound faster than the cord being slack making the ball move slower.
Read More: 7_Benefits_of_Floor_to_Ceiling_Ball_Training_in_Boxing_-_FIGHTMAG
Recently, I received correspondence from a young boxer. He is having difficulty applying the skills developed in the gym to sparring and competition, due to excessive nerves and anxiety prior to stepping into the ring.
This feeling of anxiety is caused by adrenaline being produced in the body by the adrenal glands. It plays an important role in the fight-or-flight response from perceived threats by increasing blood flow to muscles, maximizing output of the heart, pupil dilation response, and spike in blood sugar level.
This energy or adrenaline rush heightens our state of alertness along with improving reaction time to either escape from a threat or fight back. The downside effects are that the body is being fatigued and lethargic accompanied with a feeling of nausea when this rush wears off.
The following steps can assist overcoming anxiety before sparring sessions and competition. This takes time depending on the boxer’s ability, development of skillset and demonstrated self-confidence.
Read More: 5_Tips_to_Overcome_Performance_Anxiety_in_Boxing_-_FIGHTMAG
To dominate your opponent effectively from the inside position is better known as ‘infighting’. This will not influence the judges’ scoring a round. This demonstrates the boxer’s ability of fighting at long range for a taller rangy style boxer, and medium to close range for a shorter boxer.
Infighting is effective when boxers are of similar height and shorter height. To take the inside position a boxer must either:
Read More: 6_Tips_how_to_improve_infighting_skills_-_FIGHTMAG
This article continues on how the scoring criteria is applied when judging a boxing bout
Prior to commencement of a boxing bout each judge has to complete the details on the scorecards i.e. boxers names in respective corner, judge’s name and numbering the correct amount of prescribed rounds allocated for the bout, one sheet per round.
After the completion of each round the referee will collect the scorecards from all three judges and hand to the Commission representative to record scores on the tally sheet.
On completion of the final round the referee collects the scorecards and hands to the Commission representative for completion of the tally sheet to determine the result, the final scores will be given to the ring announcer to read out the final scores from each judge to declare the winner.
Read More: How_to_Score_a_Professional_Boxing_Round_-_Part_2_-_FIGHTMAG
Many factors influence the judges scoring during a bout. They may have preferred boxing styles and tactics that influence the awarding of points, some may favour technical skills whilst others have a preference for power. This is one of the reasons three judges are seated strategically at separate vantage points around the ring to view bout from different angles to score.
I have judged many professional boxing, Muay Thai and MMA bouts which use a similar scoring criteria. I will attempt to explain the scoring criteria and process used in scoring rounds over the following two articles. Also, having trained boxers at all levels, I have managed to apply the criteria into tactics that may influence the judging panel:
1. Clean Scoring Punches
2. Ring Generalship
3. Defence
4. Effective Aggression
Read More: How_to_Score_a_Professional_Boxing_Round_-_Part_1_-_FIGHTMAG
Being a boxing coach watching many rounds of sparring and bouts, I notice boxers place emphasis on scoring with single power punches to knockout an opponent. This is fine if an opponent offers little resistance and is easily hit. But if an opponent had decent ring skills, this would will fatigue a boxer over several rounds becoming vulnerable to counterattacks, resulting from being off balance, and out of position eventually losing the bout.
A boxing judge will score a round to the busier boxer with clean effective combination punches, as this is perceived as dominating the round.
Read More: 5_Tips_how_to_improve_your_boxing_combos_skills_-_FIGHTMAG
An effective counterpuncher relies on defensive skills and reflex acquired from rounds of focus mitt and partner drills becoming instinctive, practising various defensive skills against a punch. These skills include blocking, parry, slip and ducking to name a few, along with recognising specific idiosyncratic signs an opponent would display when about to commit with a punch, the most common traits being the elbow lifting or shoulder flinch prior to punching.
It is also important to maintain appropriate range (distance) from an opponent to be to anticipate and react to a punch and successfully score with your own counterpunch:
Read More: The_Art_of_Counterpunch,_Boxrite_boxing_training_-_FIGHTMAG
