Learning how to fight southpaws can be tricky for many boxers. That's because there simply aren't that many lefty's out there. The majority of the time in training and in your fights you are facing a conventional fighter. You can't use the same tactics against a southpaw that you would against a normal fighter. The angles line up differently and the alignment of your opponent's body provides different opportunities, while taking away others and presenting an entirely new set of challenges.

The best way to learn how to fight a southpaw is by practicing. Even if you don't have a southpaw that you train with or that's in your gym, you can have a partner set up in a southpaw stance. They won't be as fluid as someone who naturally fights in that style would be, but it would present to you at least the physical image of a southpaw and help you to realize how you need to fight and what your strategy should be.

How to Fight a Southpaw Tip 1: Keep Your Lead Foot Outside of His

When you are squaring off against a southpaw fighter, his lead foot is going to be in the same position as your lead fight off. You're going to be battling for that same territory, as opposed to when two conventional fighters fight and their lead feet are opposite of each other. In this scenario, you need to make sure that you plant your lead foot outside of his. This gives you the advantage in terms of leverage and positioning, and offers you far more flexibility and strength.

How to Fight a Southpaw Tip 2: Throw the Straight Right Hand

The straight right hand is the best weapon in your arsenal against a southpaw fighter. Your jab will be much easier to intercept and you can have distance problems with it since it will be reaching a target closer than a conventional fighter would be. But your straight right will be able to launch with full power and extension, and find an opening through your opponent's guard.

How to Fight a Southpaw Tip 3: Circle to Your Left

When you face a conventional fighter you usually circle to your right to avoid walking into his right hand. That is unless his hook is his best weapon and you're trying to avoid that more than anything else. Well against a southpaw you have to do the opposite. His straight left is his go to power punch, so you want to circle to your left to avoid it. If you follow tip 1 and be sure to get your left foot on the outside of his right foot, this will be much easier.

Learning how to fight a southpaw takes time, patience and practice. But these 3 tips can help you overcome your disadvantages while getting you off to good start. Hit the gym with these tips in mind to help you learn how to fight a southpaw.