For an orthodox boxer, what is the difference between a jab and a left lead? Can a left lead have as much power as a right cross? Finally, where is power from on a lead left hook, ie Klistsco/Chambers vs the right cross? Are they the most powerful punch that can be thrown?
Right. For the most part, a left hook is harder to see coming, but also harder to pull off. If you can sneak it past the guard and land it flush on the chin or temple, it's a great KO shot. The right hand is easier to see coming and requires set up for that reason. Overall pop depends on your technique and natural strength in either side of the body.
Lead left hook can counter a straight right & vice versa (Orthodox) - pretty hard to do. Any punch can be powerfull depending on positioning and how it is thrown. It can be harder for a taller guy to get his body behind a lead hook... Also you can square off and throw it when somebody is against the ropes so it's not really a lead. Check out Jerry Cooney's left hook / 'bolo punch' pretty interesting Generally a right cross will have more power than a left lead due to the distance it has to travel and requires more dedication Check this epic punch out: This content is protected lol
ok, jabs connect more than other punches because they are difficult to defend. So if the same boxer decides to throw lead left cross instead, would it still connect as much? Can the opponent react better against the left lead than against a jab?
Jab and left leads are thrown from different stances. A jab is thrown with the LEAD hand either from the southpaw or the ortho stance, while a left lead is thrown out of the southpaw stance, which is essentially a southpaw's version of what a "right lead" or "straight right" is to an orthodox stanced boxer. See Sergio Martinez on what a left lead is. Both 'leads' thrown (usually) with the power hand of that fighter. With the right lead vs the left hook, usually the right lead is the more powerful weapon due to the weight that is usually thrown behind it (correctly thrown requires full pivoting from the heels to the hips to the shoulders, etc.) Same can be said about the left hook as far as technique goes, but again, it really depends on the fighter's power hand as far as stances go and whether they are Ortho or a southpaw, and the shorter distance a hook takes to connect.
Some orthies make their lead hand straight punch power oriented and call it a "str8 left". Miguel Cotto(e) is a good example of someone who does this. A "str8 left" from an orthy can have more power if he's a left handed person boxing out of the wrong stance for his handedness. What makes the left hook dangerous is it's hard to see or can't be seen if properly setup, so it's hard to brace for. Plus there's two muscles in your neck that absorb the shock of impact to your head. If I hit you with str8 punches, the force of my punch will be decreased by BOTH of these muscles. Hooks or looping shots only have to go through ONE shock absorption muscle since they land towards the sides of the face instead of head on. I did research and found that the left hook is the most dangerous punch, it's responsible for causing the majority of knockouts, coming out of the orthy stance. Watch out for the left hand from southpaws; that's their numero uno KO causer. The irony is how most people are right handed but the coup de grace mostly comes from punches thrown with left hands.
Left hook has always been my favorite shot from an orthodox stance. My left hand is actually stronger than my right I was most likely a natural southpaw since I write with my left hand but I was taught boxing from an orthodox stance. Left hook is close enough where it doesnt have to travel that far opposed to the straight right and it also comes in from the side where its harder to see coming. Especially if its a short tight compact left hook that lands right on the chin, it will shake the brain from side to side. I stand more squared up than most fighters so i cant really torque the left hook. Also from an orthodox stance your opponent generally circles to his right (away from your right) which sends him right into range for the left hook. You can feint with a jab and then at the last second bring it back and turn it into a hook. Doubling up on left hooks is a great combo too, big shot to his liver and then bring it up to his head or vice versa. I was always taught after every right hand clean it up with a left hook. The torque is perfect and its tough to see coming
If you write with your left hand & taught in orthodox stance then yes... You should have a nice jab and left hook... Your straight right hand could possibly suffer though... training can bring it to a good standard however. Are you left footed also? (kick a ball with your left foot)
