I think its because when a great fighter does something, youngsters try to emulate it. In the past a southpaw was seen as technically unsound and amateurish, its harder to figure out how to get out the way of straight rights and hooks initially. Especially if you have a orthodox coach who knows nothing about southpaw defense. Hence natural lefties would be told to lead with their strong hand, such as Frazier and I believe Delahoya and maybe Tyson With the advent of Whitaker and Hagler, I believe boxers and trainers saw it was ok to be a southpaw if you're left handed. So after that less would be forced to convert their style. Winky Wright is actually a converted southpaw, hes right handed, hence his great right jab The advantage of being a southpaw is, being a southpaw and regularly facing orthodox fighters means you know the reverse angles by heart, an orthodox fighter isnt used to the reverse angles and has a much harder time.
i think it has to do with the times. inside fighting was a big part of boxing, fighters were able to so for extended periods of time with out being broken up every 2 seconds. when boxing got more lucrative, there was less and less in fighting, which created enough space so a southpaw can get that angle. south paw in essence seems to me strategic suicide, leaving your liver exposed . i think old time trainers new this.
nobody on this board finds this as bizzare as i do. nobody was southpaw back in the day, they must have known something we don't now. you people suck...
It is interesting, especially the explosion of southpaws during the late 1970s at 160 and around 130. Old timers would deride it as a symptom of boxing's decline. Conn had little trouble with Bettina, and Arguello feasted on the lefties who took over at 130 after he moved up to dethrone southpaw Watt. At the heavyweight level, it took over 100 years before Moorer finally broke through.
back in the day lefties were made to be righties in school,work and boxing.Benny Leonard only fought one southpaw http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/7572/eighth-god-war-benny-leonard/ "Boxing managers recognize the danger. “Them southpaws,” jibed Jim Wicks, “should be drowned at birth.” For decades a left-handed novice would be converted to the conventional stance. Some trainers still do, although most see real advantages for southpaws"
Nobody wants to see a southpaw. Nobody wants to face a southpaw. Southpaws are typically boring when fighting orthadox fighters because of the distance between their power hands.
Yes, but other than a few exceptions, I hate watching them on television. Unless of course you're name is Hagler, Darchinyan, Pac, etc... Basically guys who are aggressive. And Whittaker who was a one of a kind tallent.
Mostly because being a southpaw meant you would be avoided in the ring and you get no payday. That was ages ago when you might look at a fighters record and find the same opponent 6 or so times on it possibly to avoid a certain guy. Now with southpaw world champs and contenders all over it is mandatory one be able to fight that style.
maybe it's because it's always awkward to face a southpaw. Your right foot should line up with his left foot, which makes it possible that you might step on the southpaw's foot. and everything is opposite as southpaws usually throw right hooks and right jabs versus right jabs and right hooks, so you have to defend yourself differently. fighters have to change their entire game plan to fight a southpaw
