Circling to left or right against orthodox figher?

Both, the worst thing you can do is being predictable. What direction you move predominantly depends on which hand you want to avoid but also on what angle you want to attack from.

 

Although I'm no expert I agree with RDJ. You'll want to mix it up otherwise the other guy will time you and know what to expect. Plus if you always move to your right what i he has a great left hook as well?

 

That or keeping your left hand up

But yes that would be safe. If he has a monster left hook you'd walk straight into it so be aware. Also if all you are doing is avoiding his shots you will be losing a fight on points, so it's equally important that you can turn it into an attack from there. It's part of giving someone angles, not just avoiding shots.

 

This is coming from a Muaythai Technician and Strategist so take it as that, but I believe it is worth offering you 'my' thoughts that I have picked up over the years I have been training in a boxing context.

Basically you should move both... but in certain circumstances. If you move right the whole time I will just time you and hit you with a left hook. If you move left all the time I will just time you and hit you with an overhand.

OK, now:

When Moving towards your opponents outside (to your right)
Anytime you go towards your opponents lead hand side (outside) either backwards or forwards you are OK to circle round whether punching or not because your opponent has to re-square his hips to land any effective strikes.

When Moving towards your opponents inside (to your left)
Anytime you go towards your opponents rear hand side (inside) you should ensure you move backwards unless you are striking because his hips will already be square to you.

Unpredictability
DO NOT go 'left, left, left, left' then think oh shite I need to move right too! 'right-right-right-right' then think ok, that's the right, lets go left again...' 'left, left, left, left' etc, etc, etc.

What you want to do is be unpredictable, you want to fake movement. For example you might fake a left step so your opponent steps to his right and then step to your right (his left) giving you a good angle on the outside.

 

This is correct.

If you want to avoid the right hand you would move to his left BUT not so much that he works it out and puts you on a left hook.

Moving away from a punch isn't the only way to neutralise a punch. Block with your left arm, slip, parry, step back to stay outside of his punching range, step forward so you are inside of his punching range etc etc

 

Btw, with Southpaws its not so much about circling to the left (constantly do it and you'll end up moving out of range), its more about trying to keep your left foot on the outside of their right foot as much as you can. You're right this makes it awkward for them to land the left cross but it also sets up your right hand right through their guard.

 

It's all about the right hand for a south paw. Then the left hook comes.

 

for my next fight i have been working on stepping to my right as my oppoent likes to land the right. Yu dont have to circle you just need a little half step to displace them

 

I´m a southpaw and those who are southpaws knows this so well. To be honest generally the right hand is not so difficult for us, it´s your left hook that bother me as a southpaw.
Southpaws are fighting orthodox fighters all the time and mostly the only thing their trainers tells them is "hit him with a straight right." We see them coming and we know they are coming so...
Also it´s the same for southpaws, hit that orthodox with a straight left. it´s not so common that the orthodox fight southpaws, cause we aren´t that many comparing to the right handers.
use both your hands, work a lot with your left hook against a southpaw, I think that will bother them more. Probably every southpaw´s gonna hate me now, but hey. let´s give the orthodox boxers a chance towards us southpaws. he he he!
Only joking
Have a great day.
the predator

 

The strategy behind being a southpaw or orthodox is known. It's not a secret but it's about execution.

Given that our two lead legs would be crossing (southpaw v orthodox) there is more distance between us. Distance that is incredibly difficult to cover. The right hand allows for better manipulation of range.

Left hook is also a more open punch that against a southpaw can open you up to the most commonly used punch in boxing - the jab.

Establishing the left hook is incredibly hard given that you can't throw it too hard or you'll be off balance, you can't throw it too long or you'll be open, your feet need to close the distance to be in perfect position and that's hard enough against an orthodox fighter let alone a southpaw.

I would never solely tell someone to use the right but it's where I would start.

 

???

If you move to your left you move onto the right hand but will be more comfotable offloading your own shots due to the way your weight is distibuted.

If you move to your right you move away from the right hand and force your opponent to move to their right too which can leave them uncomfortable seeming as 99% of low class boxing involves fighters continually circalling to their left (as it is physically less challenging when using the jab- correctly).

Learn to move both ways. Don't over complicate something that isn't complicated.

 

Just to throw a spanner in the works, what happens when you are fighting a right handed southpaw like me, or even a left handed orthodox fighter like Miguel Cotto for example? If you are unfortunate enough to find yourself in this type of situation, your primary goal has to be taking your opponents lead hand out of the game, as most people who have their dominant hand as their lead hand have great jab and lead hook.

You can't afford to think in one dimension, irrespective of what stance the opponent is, or which is their dominant hand. You need to give equal consideration to range, angle of movement and direction. As a general rule of thumb, you are looking to take your opponents most dangerous weapons away from them - watch footage of B-Hop to see a true master at negating his opponents strengths with his movement at work.

The other thing to note is that you also have to position yourself to get your own shots off. You can't spend all of your time worrying about trying to negate your opponents offense, as at some point, you will have to position yourself to land your own power shots.