Expert: Joe Hofer - 4/26/2008

Question
Hello, I have a few questions about boxing methods. My first question is, since I am a southpaw, I'm about 5'4 don't fight professionally but on a nice day me and my friends tend to bring out the boxing gloves or we go to my boys basement where he has a small ring. My question is how can I sike an oppenant and catch him with a punch.
Second question is, should I be on a cetain side, wether I'm boxing a southpaw or a right handed boxer. Meaning should I be on a certain side other than being infront of him. My last question, since I am shorter then most of my friends, what would u recommend for me to land accurate punches. I am fast but my concern is my reach.

Answer
Let me first advise that you should not sparr unsupervised, as this can be dangerous.  As a southpaw your right foot should be outside of your opponents left foot.  If you go to the body with a right hook and then the next punch throw a left hand to the head while you feint to the body again, this may catch him off guard, but this takes practice.  Maybe it is not your height but instead if you fight in the right weight class the size would not be such a factor.  Unsupervised sparring means you are probably not matching up in weight either.  Check this first, and also ask yourself if you need to lose to get to your ideal fighting weight.

Thanks,

Joe