Display in boxing: right or left?

In boxing, the basic position or the individual orientation of the boxer is referred to as the "display" - the boxer's starting position, so to speak. The display not only includes the position of the feet, but also influences the position of the fists. A distinction is made between a right display and a left display.

Famous southpaws in professional boxing are or were Henry Maske, Bubi Scholz and Michael Moorer.

Famous left-pawns in professional boxing are or were the brothers Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko, Evander Holyfield and George Foreman.

The link display used to be referred to as a normal box display, and in some cases still is today. This is the position in which most boxers box. It is also referred to as "Orthodox" in English, while the right hand is called "Southpaw" - a derogatory term for the left-handed minority in the USA.

Now it gets confusing for many boxing beginners. Because: Most right-handers have a strong right hand and therefore box in the left display. Most left-handers have a strong left hand and therefore box on the right display. how come

In the basic position, the boxer uses the weaker hand as a lead hand and holds it in front to keep the opponent well at a distance - "in the range". His hitting hand is at the back and is swung forward (only) for a hard hit. If the right-hander now has a strong right hand, this is his hitting hand, which is at the back. His left side (arm and leg) faces the opponent. The opposite is true for left-handers, they stand with their right side facing the opponent.

So it now seems very easy to find out whether you are boxing right or left. But that's only if the right hand is actually the strong one for a right-handed person or the left hand for a left-hander. Especially in earlier years, left-handers were discriminated against, so they boxed with their right hand and not their left. Then there were boxers who could change their displays during the boxing match - the so-called "switch hitters". They are considered to be particularly unpredictable and difficult to defeat.

How to find your box display:

• Option 1: Allow yourself to tip forward slightly from a standing position or have a friend push you slightly. The leg that you automatically put forward to keep from falling is your dominant leg. Consequently, this page comes at the back.
• Option 2: How are your hands on the vacuum cleaner pipe or on a broomstick? The dominant, strong hand is always above the weaker hand.

As long as two boxers face each other in the same display, there is no problem. Two southpaws would rotate counterclockwise as a unit to avoid the opponent's hitting hand. Two southpaws would rotate clockwise together.

But what happens when two different boxing displays meet in the ring? Usually, the left side has the disadvantage. Because: If he turns clockwise as usual, he runs directly into the opponent's hitting hand (left fist). The southpaw should try to avoid that - as a result, he has to break out of his usual movement sequences. And that often leads to significant problems in dodging the opponent's punches and landing successful hits yourself.

Why isn't the fight between different extensions so difficult for the boxer on the legal display? If the southpaw prances in the ring as usual, he turns clockwise and "runs" into the leading hand of the left southpaw - and it's easier to parry than the hitting hand.

The fight between a southpaw and a southpaw was often referred to as boring in the past because the southpaw was typically 12 rounds on the defensive. As a southpaw boxing against a southpaw, you should definitely be flexible and able to adapt well. If you hold your own leading hand slightly above that of the opponent and your left foot is a little further out than usual, you have a good chance of 1. defending the opponent's leading hand and 2. using the hitting hand as a straight line.

But one shouldn't forget: The danger of a direct counterattack is particularly high in the constellation left-handed versus right-handpawd. So don't forget to take care of yourself.

Since most people are right-handed, left display is common in boxing. It is therefore also referred to as the normal display. The legal display is referred to pejoratively as "South Paw" - southern paw - in the USA.

Whether you are southpaw or southpaw in boxing depends on your strong side. For most people, the strong side is the side you use to write, screw, or sweep.

Contrary to what many beginners assume, in boxing it is not the punching hand that is in front, but the leading hand. It serves to keep the distance to the opponent. The hitting hand is only used when you are sure of landing a good hit.

The foot position is analogous to the fist: Your weak foot is in front, your strong foot is in the back. Otherwise the batting hand could not be behind.