Are you new to boxing and don’t understand the difference between boxing southpaw vs Orthodox? If that is so, then this article is for you. Don’t worry about such terms when this article is here.
Do you think boxing is all about upper bodywork? If yes, let me break it to you that boxing has a lot to do with footwork too. The more stable footwork, the better the boxing game. Boxer’s footwork determines his overall performance and tells how competitive he is as a fighter. As a beginner, you must know how to be better at footwork. For that, you should know the difference between southpaw vs orthodox. Let’s get into it.
What is Orthodox Stance?
Orthodox footwork is a common and famous footwork stance among boxers. It’s a foot style in which boxers put the left foot at the front of the other one. Orthodox boxing style works best for right-handed boxes as this stance gives freedom to use the right hand and foot for better reach during a fight.
What is Southpaw Stance?
On the other hand, southpaw footwork has to do with the right foot in front of the other one. Again, this footwork style works great for left handed boxers this allows them to use their dominant side more.
Which Footwork Stance is Better? Southpaw vs Orthodox?
You must understand the advantages of both stances before getting into this question. The next section will be about the benefits of both mma stances as both have a list of benefits over the other one.
Benefits of Southpaw Stance:
- A boxer with a southpaw fighting style can surprise a left-handed or orthodox opponent with a different kind of training.
- Southpaw footwork is a more comfortable position because of its open style.
- Right-handed southpaws generate more power and strength from both hands and also can throw harder punches at the opponent.
- The open position of the southpaw allows the boxer to get more control over the opponent.
- A boxer can throw long-range punches with southpaw footwork.
Benefits of Orthodox Stance:
- A right-handed boxer is blessed when it comes to training. It’s not difficult to get the right couches and training centers for Orthodox footwork since the maximum population has the right side dominated.
- Also, Orthodox boxers can surprise the southpaw boxer with a unique style of movement which they might have no idea about.
- In addition to that, liver hitting is easier for right-handed boxers. As the different position allows them to get closer to the right side of the opponent which means easy liver hitting.
What to Choose?
Are you looking for an answer to what should I choose between these two MMA stances? Then you might not be asking this question. Because it’s your genes that will decide what stance to choose. Because it’s better to go with your dominant side and be comfortable with your position.
Being a righty or Orthodox stance boxer, you would be amazing at throwing hard jabs with full power and control. Besides, you can also be a successful boxer while being a lefty or southpaw boxer. Choosing better ufc stances is more about feeling natural and easy.
No matter what footwork you choose, try to be perfect at it. Make sure that your town does have training institutions and coaches for the footwork you choose. Finding perfect training has a huge role in choosing a certain boxing stance.
Most people go for Orthodox boxing stance as a lot of coaches are available for the training. But it’ll be difficult to find southpaw training coaches. That’s the reason why a lot of boxers prefer Orthodox footwork.
Southpaw Famous Boxers:
Anderson Silva
Anderson Silva was one of the most undefeatable boxers in his era. His southpaw stance made his opponent surprise everyone. However, he did face some failures during his boxing career. But we can’t deny that his opponent got in trouble due to his southpaw footwork and devious techniques.
Conor McGregor
Another well-known southpaw fighter was Conor McGregor. It should be noted that he was a qualified boxer in both Orthodox and southpaw stances. Nevertheless, he had some deadly southpaw fighting stance. One of his famous fights was with Jose Aldo when all it took was 15 seconds to knock him out.
Colby Covington
Colby Covington was a right-handed boxer who had a southpaw stance during his career. It is quite unusual to see a righty having southpaw footwork. But he was a very comfortable and fine boxer. He knew how to put the opponent in trouble with his right foot forward.
Nate Diaz
Another famous southpaw fighter among fans was Nate Diaz, he was not the most deadly and dominant one but fans loved him because of his effortless fighting style. He had a unique fighting style of incredible chin and cardiac moves.
Orthodox Famous Boxers:
Muhammad Ali
If you are a boxing fan, it’s just impossible that you haven’t heard about Muhammad Ali. He was one of the most well-known boxers of all time who had an Orthodox stance. Throughout his career, he outclassed his opponents with his world-famous iron chin, speed, and accuracy.
Jon Jones
Undoubtedly, Jon Jones was one of the remarkable Orthodox boxers but he couldn’t make it to succeed because of his controversies. He was charged with various crimes and some steroids allegations. His whole boxing career was full of scandals and downfalls. Nevertheless, he proved to be the youngest UFC Champion in history.
Mike Tyson
Like Jon Jones, Mike Tyson was also a controversial boxer yet one of the lethal orthodox boxers whose punches seemed effortlessly destructive. During his peak era, he was regarded as the most feared man in boxing history. His strong jabs left fans amazed and the opponent knocked out even in starting rounds.
GSP:
GSP was one of the most impactful and influential Orthodox Stance fighters who knew how to carry himself as a boxer. He was named the greatest MMA fighter. Additionally, he was the champion in middleweight and welterweight as well.
Conclusion:
To sum up, we can say that both ufc stances have a set of benefits and a variety of techniques. You just need to go with the stance you’re more comfortable in. Don’t go toward what looks good. But if you still can’t decide between boxing Orthodox vs southpaw stance, it’s a good idea to learn both stances. This way you will be capable of handling opponents with both stances.
Frequently Asked Question:
Q1. Can I be a right handed southpaw boxer?
Yes, you definitely can. But it’ll be quite challenging for you as it won’t feel natural to you. There are a lot of successful boxers with a southpaw stance while being right-handed. Nevertheless, you need to train very hard to be a right handed southpaw as your realistic stance would be orthodox but it’s not possible.
Q2. Is there any example of a right handed southpaw fighter?
Yes, there are such inspirational examples of southpaw boxers who were right by genes. Such as Lyoto Machida, Anderson Silva, Yoel Romero, Colby Covington, and the list goes on.
Q3. Is Southpaw Stance better than Orthodox?
It’s difficult to make such blunt statements. Fighters with both MMA stances will have the advantage to surprise the opponent who is not aware of another stance fighting. Like we said earlier, it’s better to get training in both footwork.
However, some people do believe that southpaw fighters do have a little margin over orthodox fighters as the maximum population of the world is right-handed.
Q4. Can I be both Southpaw and Orthodox Boxer?
Yes, you can. What’s even better than that? No doubt, you can be a successful boxer when you know both ufc stances. A boxer considered deadly who knows how to handle southpaw as well as an Orthodox fighter. Such fighters have a lot of benefits than other fighters.
