The Real Reason boxers fight left hand forward

by Mike

Granted, this belongs in the category of "things I can't prove one way or the other," but here's my take on it.

I'd received a lot of answers when I'd researched/asked this question.

"You want your power hand in back so you can find distance and then drop a big right on them."

Nah, there are plenty of martial arts that think the power-side should go first so you can hit more often with it.

"Back in the beginnings of boxing, two guys would just grab each other by the hair and then start pounding in each other's faces. You wanted to be able to throw your power hand."

Not buying it. Could you imagine if every fight looked like Frye/Takayama?

Thought about it a little and then it dawned on me:

Boxers tend to fight left hand forward because it protects your liver.

"Body shots are a lost art" may be a trite saying for people trying to sell "lost art of body shot" DVDs, but anyone whose gotten caught with even a solid shot to the liver knows that it affects you more than an equally hard shot to the dome. (Those who have never seen the effects of a liver shot before should check out Hopkins/De La Hoya or MMA fans can see McCarthy/Loiseau or more recently, Buentello/Overeem)

If you fight in a left lead, you keep your liver away from the easy shots (jabs and crosses), your opponent needs to get inside and throw shovel hooks to start targeting the liver. Theoretically if they're inside, you have some options while they're moving in and you can tie up, etc., or at least have the opportunity for your own body shots.


Flickr photo from Wildebeast1