Orthodox vs. Southpaw: The Ultimate Stance Guide

Quick Answer: Orthodox vs. Southpaw

In the orthodox vs southpaw matchup, orthodox fighters lead with the left hand and foot, while southpaws lead with the right. Orthodox are right-handed, while southpaws are left-handed. Orthodox stance is most common, while southpaws are rarer, creating trouble and awkward angles for orthodox fighters.

In closed stance (same-stance fights), lateral movement and jabs predominate, while in open stance (opposite-stance fights), keeping the foot outside the opponent and power shots predominate. Choose your stance based on your dominant hand.

If you are right-handed, choose Orthodox; if you are left-handed, choose Southpaw. Once you master one stance, start learning others to become versatile and a switch-hitter.

— Researched by Muneeb Maqsood
SEO Expert & Content Writer at MMA Passion

1. Understanding Orthodox vs. Southpaw Stances

Muneeb Maqsood, SEO expert and content writer at MMA Passion, has conducted in-depth research and analysis to draw out all the important differences between orthodox and southpaw stances.

Orthodox vs. Southpaw: The Ultimate Stance Guide
	Orthodox Stance	Southpaw Stance
	The righty	The lefty
Lead Foot	The left foot is the leading foot (forward).	The right foot is the leading foot (the forward one).
Lead Hand	The left hand is the leading hand (used for a jab).	The right hand is the leading hand (used for a jab).
Rear Hand	The right hand is the rear hand and is used for crosses or power shots.	The left hand is the rear hand and is used for crosses or power shots.
Logic	Fighters can generate more force with their dominant right hand in the back by rotating their shoulders and hips over a larger distance.	Uses the left hand as a power source. Mirrors the orthodox stance.
Liver Shot Vulnerability	They are vulnerable to liver shots by southpaws.	Southpaws can hit directly on the liver of orthodox fighters with their dominant left hand.
Number Comparison	More in number.	Fewer in number.
Rarity Advantage	Orthodox fighters are easy to defend against both southpaws and orthodox fighters.	Southpaws are rare, so because of that, they find it easy to get their shots in because orthodox fighters are not used to fighting them.
Age	Traditional	Crafty and modern
Vulnerability to the Cross	Orthodox fighters find it difficult to intercept Southpaws’ jab.	Southpaws can easily intercept an Orthodox fighter’s jab using their straight left power cross because it needs a short and direct path to travel.
The Right Hook Trap	They are vulnerable to the right hook trap by Southpaws.	They can easily trap orthodox fighters by mixing wide right hooks and straight lefts, as orthodox fighters’ static guard is not well-positioned to block.

Some Interesting Research Facts About Orthodox vs Southpaw Boxing Stances

10-13% of the general population is southpaw, while at elite levels, 20-25% use a southpaw stance. The rarity of this stance significantly improves its success rate. (Source)

Both southpaws and orthodox fighters struggle against southpaws, and both have a higher success ratio when they fight against orthodox fighters. (Source)

An Orthodox stance provides more raw power, acceleration, and impact force than a southpaw stance. (Source)

Southpaws have more total career fights than orthodox fighters because they are harder to finish and have a more resilient posture. (Source)

— Researched by Muneeb Maqsood
SEO Expert & Content Writer at MMA Passion

2. Open vs Closed Stance

In boxing, if both fighters are of the same stance, such as a southpaw facing another southpaw, it is called a closed stance.
If both fighters are of different stances, such as a southpaw facing an orthodox fighter, it is called an open stance.

Tactical Element	Orthodox vs. Orthodox (Closed)	Orthodox vs. Southpaw (Open)
Primary Footwork	Circular/lateral movement	Battle for the outside lead foot position
Jab Effectiveness	High; used to set the rhythm	Low; lead hands frequently clash
Power Hand Alignment	Power hand must often go around the jab	Power hand can travel a straight line
Defensive Strategy	Static guard (slipping/parrying) is effective	Must constantly adjust guard for wide angles

3. The Main Difference Between Boxing Stances

The orthodox stance is used mostly by right-handed fighters, in which the left foot is the leading foot and the left hand is the leading hand.
The southpaw stance is used mostly by left-handed fighters, in which the right foot is the leading foot and the right hand is the leading hand.

4. Should You Switch Between Southpaw and Orthodox?

Yes! You should switch between southpaw and orthodox more often because:

It will help you strengthen your non-dominant side.
You can defend against opposite-stance fighters.
You will have more skills and strategies to win against your opponent.
You will become a versatile boxer.

5. Which Is Harder to Fight: Southpaw or Orthodox?

As we often highlight at MMA Passion, Southpaws are harder to fight because they are rare. Additionally, both boxing stances are equally effective. It just depends on whether you are right-handed or left-handed.
You should switch stances in your training so that you can fight southpaws and orthodox fighters easily.

6. Benefits of Southpaw and Orthodox Boxing Stance

6.1 Orthodox Stance Benefits

Effective and excellent balance for beginners.
Easy to develop a strong lead jab.
Provides a solid defensive structure.

6.2 Southpaw Stance Benefits

Opponents struggle to account for the rarity of the Southpaw stance.
Make it difficult for their opponents to read angles.
Can easily find more gaps in traditional guards.
The rear left hand delivers strong power.

7. Top Southpaw Boxers

Audley Harrison
Marvin Hagler
Manny Pacquiao
Adonis Stevenson
James J. Corbett
Naseem Hamed
Joe Calzaghe

8. Top Orthodox Fighters

Muhammad Ali
Floyd Mayweather Jr
George Foreman
Wladimir Klitschko
Sugar Ray Robinson
Mike Tyson

9. How Do You Decide Which Stance Is Best for You?

You should decide your stance based on your dominant hand. If your dominant hand is your right hand, then go for an orthodox stance, and vice versa.
But some people might choose the opposite. For example, right-handed southpaws. They choose the opposite stance to gain better control and faster jabs, given a stronger lead hand.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What Are The Pros And Cons Of Orthodox Vs Southpaw Boxing?

Orthodox Pros: Perfect for right-handers, widely used, and easy to find training partners and coaches.
Orthodox Cons: Cannot defend effectively against Southpaws and is very predictable.
Southpaw Pros: Rare, strategic advantage, and can be very difficult for orthodox to defend.
Southpaw Cons: Difficult to find training partners and coaches. Few defensive vulnerabilities.

Q2: What Is The Physical Direction Of Orthodox Vs Southpaw?

Southpaw is right-side forward, and Orthodox is left-side forward.

Q3: Is Southpaw Or Orthodox More Common?

Orthodox is the most common boxing stance worldwide, used by almost 90% of boxers. Only less than 10% of the boxing population follows the southpaw. This rarity factor gives Southpaws a significant strategic advantage.

Q4: Which Stance Is Better, Orthodox Or Southpaw?

Boxing stance cannot be perfect or worst. It depends on the boxer’s skill and strategy in using the stance against his opponents. But because Southpaw is rare, it has a strategic advantage over orthodox.

Q5: Can You Use A Southpaw Stance If You Are Right Handed?

Yes, you can use Southpaw if you are right-handed. In this case, it will be known as a converted southpaw, in which you will keep your right hand forward for powerful, heavy jabs.

Q6: Southpaw Vs Orthodox Vs Switch: What Are The Differences?

Orthodox is a fighting stance in which a boxer has the left side in the lead, while the opposite is true for the southpaw. A switch stance in boxing uses both southpaw and orthodox stances, confusing the opponent and allowing the fighter to switch between them during the fight.

Q7: Can You Be Both Southpaw And Orthodox?

Yes, if you use both stances, then you will be known as switch hitter. Many famous boxers are examples, such as Tyson Fury and Terence Crawford.

Q8: Why Is It Called Southpaw And Orthodox?

Orthodox is the oldest stance in boxing, and it means standard or traditional. The word Southpaw came from baseball during the 19th century, in which a pitcher has their left arm on the south side.

Q9: How Do You Know If You Are A Southpaw Or Orthodox?

Choose an orthodox stance if you are right-handed (your right hand and foot are dominant), otherwise southpaw. You can easily test your stance with the position of your hands and feet. If your right side is forward, then you are a southpaw; otherwise, orthodox.

Q10: What Are Some Fighting Tips For Orthodox Vs Southpaw Matchups?

Neutralize the Jab: Being a southpaw, neutralize your opponent’s jab to disrupt their main setup tool.
Outside Foot Lead: Try to keep your lead foot on your opponent’s outside.