It was actually just a reflex action. I'm used to throwing a right when I step right, but in this situation it was exactly what Hopkins portrayed: I had him on the ropes and disengaged to move right. He hit me with a left hook and when I felt it land I was used to throwing a left hook counter. First time I tried it from the right side like that and it worked. So for me, that's an innately effective trick. The angle makes the punch hard to see, and your opponent moves into it rather than away. If I KO someone with a shot I've never consciously thrown before..then I like that shot Nowadays I've worked it a lot more (bags, not in the ring). Hoping to use it a lot more if I ever get back.
THERE ARE 360 degrees in a circle, and any position you are in is an angle. . What you should throw depends on where your are, where your opponent is and whether you are leading or countering. Nothing is simple, but common sense applies in most movement including the punches you executie.
Try this: (works good against a high guard) Come at your opponent with a 1-2. As you push off the back foot, make sure you advance your lead foot slightly DIAGONAL to your right (this will give you a better angle). Make sure the 1-2 are not too powerful. Just quick to raise the guard. Then pivot sharply off the lead foot when it lands by swinging your right foot to your right and then a hard right hard to the exposed temple or body. When you go to the body, you can follow it up with a killer left hook. Try this. Works well.