I'm curious about how pros, amateurs, even hobbyists go about deciding whether to use an orthodox or southpaw stance. I suppose if you have your dominant hand at the front, the main perks are a naturally stronger jab and lead hook. Otherwise, having your strong hand at the back gives you a stronger overhand or hay maker. What's the best way? Should you just be comfortable with both? Doesn't it make more sense to pick one and become very comfortable with it?
In my experience a lot of guys choose to put the dominant hand up front to avoid learning how to use the other hand. This multiplies when you talking about southpaws because a lot of guys believe that, by being a southpaw, all they have to do is throw left hands and boxing will be easy. Switching stances usually leads to more confusion on the part of the guy switching stances than on the part of the opponent. Even a guy like Marvin Hagler, he switched because he was very right hand dominant and he was creating ways to land his right hand. If you do the work there is no reason why you should not be able to be just as efficient, to hit just as hard, with your 'weak' hand. I am right handed and I can't do anything with my left hand except punch. My jab pops, I can double it and triple it and hook off of it. My left hook has always been my best punch. I throw a mean straight left from a southpaw stance but my right hook feels funny. And you are overlooking the most important thing that your rear hand does- defense. It keeps you from getting punched in the head. If you are going to go to a gym and put in the work to learn something, learn it, all of it.
Those one armed southpaws with just the left get pretty far nowadays I’d say Khaosai Galaxy might be the best example but what if a guy like that ran into a LaMotta? who left you with one very obvious punch to throw on the inside… suppose the LaMottas are extinct anyways lol.
If you do decide to go this way of using your dominant hand out front read all the posts @greynotsoold has written on fighting Southpaws and work backwards for some ideas on how to defend it. Your rear hand hand should be as coordinated and comfortable as you can make it because there will be a toll to pay for missing it.
It's becoming more and more apparent that it doesn't matter whether the dominant hand is in front or in the back. They're both effective. More important to consider might be which stance is more favorable. Switching favorable legs to be in front or the back might impact whether you prefer to step back and counter or to be an aggressive move forward guy. Another thing that has impacted a few fighters is which eye is more dominant. Sometimes, switching stances has allowed the dominant eye to be in front and allow wider peripheral vision letting them see punches better. The best tho, is to learn to fight in both stances and learn the strengths and weaknesses of both sides. You can adjust to your opponent's style with more options.
