Feinting the wrong Direction?

Ok, This is old News really, But last year I had a problem with this kid I used to spar with and I never figured out why untill now.

There was 2 dudes I sparred with regularly.. Now I say spar but It was really more like a fight where we just tried not to kill anyone lol.

Ok, So Dude number 1 About 5'11-6'0 like 170 lean.. Pretty big reach advantage.. I'm 5'8 And my reach isint amazing to say the least. anyways, were both southpaws So I sparred with him on about 3 occasions where I Demolished him... I feinted all his shots, countered good.. At One Point hit him with a hook so clean his Helmet turned sideways lol.. It was pretty funny...

Now Dude number 2, About 6 foot.. Closer to the 180-190 range (I was around 170-180) with a lil shorter reach than the other guy, but still alot more than me, & This dude catches me every time... I cant feint him for nothing so I'm left with only one option since I cant be too technical And I try to smother him, and Apply pressure with hooks and close shots, but That'll wear someone down quick, so it usually resulted in me getting a couple good shots, but loosing steam and getting broken down...

& Now I was just thinking of Why I couldnt feint him & I cant remember exactly how I feinted but I think since he was an orthodox, I think I may have like.. Crossed wires in my brain or something, And feinted the opposite direction as I did with the southpaw, leaving me open every time... Cuz instead of fainting towards the left and leaning away.. I would lean back And Get caught cuz of his reach, where with the southpaw I would go around the punch.

Is there any legitimacy to this? does anyone ever see it happen? It sounds like a Reeeeeeeeaaaaaall dumb mistake, but hey, it is what it is, I'm just trying to fix it.

& Also, leaning back is bad right? should u always try to move side to side? or does it all depend on the situation?

Sounds like a very reasonable assumption. It is fairly amazing how much opens up if a person can switch up properly. Im ortho and lately practicing fighting strictly ortho, but for a good amount of time I would switch steady. And it is just a world of difference as far target landing area, and especially with someone who isnt used to making the adjustments.

I mean, who knows right, the one dude may just have been much better, but there is a distinct difference with opposing foot positions. Spar an MMA guy some time in boxing and you will really notice the difference foot position makes with opening. Those guys are barely ortho or southie, because they need to stand so square to avoid take downs, and are ginormous targets for us boxers, in our realm.