Going Southie

Had a great time sparring during panantukan on Monday. I kept switching up my guard and going southie. For those of you not familiar, "southie" or southpaw, means fighting in the opposite guard. This means right leg forward, since a normal boxing guard is left leg forward. What happens?

• It confuses most opponent - especially those who have never fought a southpaw
• you get a power punch jab from your lead hand right, which can do a lot of damage
• lead hand hook becomes a very effective punch
• The footwork and angles change, which can cause your opponent to walk into the left cross through force of habit

A good boxer should be comfortable in either guard. Once you are, you have greater control of your strategy during the fight, and can switch up to your advantage.

I suppose I should add that the man currently considered the best pound for pound boxer in the world, Manny Pacquiao, is also a Southie.

Turn left. Find out for yourself...