Never knew you had so much increase in reach by leaning forward

Only con which i can think of right now is every fighter is vulnerable when on the offense, so guard yourself up well and prepare to take a heavy counter just incase ..

 

Are you leaning forward, putting weight on your front foot? If you are, you'll pay for it. Having the weight on the front leg affects your ability to move, to avoid punches, and, really, your aren't really getting much on the straight left if your weight is already up there.
Diaz, Juan, I think (fought Marquez twice), leaned forward a lot, keeping the weight on his front foot. That's why he didn't punch too hard and why he ate counters (especially uppercuts) like M&Ms.

 

Your head should never be past the knee of your lead leg. Without that balance, you'll have to take an extra step whenever your opponent turns you or decides to momentarily back you up. Your left straight will weaken if you put all your weight on your right leg crouching forward, because when you pivot, there's less weight on that side of your body that you're transferring; think of it like a loaded catapult. If you put all the weight on your front foot, your rear leg (the catapult) has less mass to actually throw into the punch. Also, if you miss a punch or get set up, you'll likely overextend and eat a counter off balance, in danger of taking a trip to the canvas. If you have a long reach already, use it wisely, there's no need to crouch all the time in stance for extra mileage. If you're confused, a video would help.

 

What I've learned in the past two weeks is that leaning when you're tall and a southpaw (which I am and apparently you are) is a horrible idea. Use your height. Leaning in leaves you open to a counter hook over the top of your jab.

And what Bogotazo says about your head going past your knee is spot on.

 

I know guys that lean alot when they throw their jab. You'd think they'd be vulnerable to uppercuts and hooks, but I've never caught them with it, but then again I'm pretty slow.

 

You can probably get away if you are significantly faster or have ridiculously longer reach. But if you don't have that then it's a horrible idea.

 

There is no reach advantage to be gained by leaning forward, it's impossible. Your reach is determined by where your head (the center of your body) is in relation to your outstretched fist.

Unless your head can move independently of your body, when you lean forward your head also moves forward, meaning that your opponents fist is closer to it, thus negating any advantage you have gained by stretching your arm out further. Sure, your feet maybe further away from the other guy creating the illusion that you have a better reach, but he can't punch your feet, so you don't need to keep them away from him.

My best advice is to do the opposite, and lean away from you're opponent, as it naturally raises your lead shoulder up to protect your chin, keeps your weight ready on the backfoot, where you need it for generating power, and it keeps your head off the center line. As you are a tall guy it also encourages you to sit down into your shots a bit more.

If your main worry is getting caught with body shots, then as a fellow southpaw I'd also advise against using Wladimir's "floating arm" jab. You want to get your lead elbow back quick and tight to protect your liver, which is on your right hand side, something that Klitschko doesn't have to worry about being orthodox.

Try this for some ideas about weight distribution. I know Burley was much smaller than you, but still some worthwhile ideas if you are interested.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81non05aKX4[/ame]

 

:happy my point exactly, just broken down more completely

 

With your reach, box off your back foot. Now you can lead forward, put weight on your front foot and move your head left by doing so, then throw a quick jab and then shift your weight to your back foot, moving you head back right. Lean forward to draw a lead then rock back and counter. You can break it up to keep your opponent guessing.

But weight forward as a basic stance should be a no-no

 

Leaning forward is going to decrease your reach, the only advantage it offers is for moving forwards to make up ground more easily. Boxing is about shifting your weight.

 

Id take DanielJF and greynotsoolds advice on this one.