Boxers who 'switched' their feet with regularity?

I've bee trying to justify a little notion that popped into my head ever since watching the Evander Holyfield/ Sherman Williams fight. (The Micky Ward film helped too!).
Now I know Leopards can't change their spots and I realise the fight wasn't exactly present a dynamic strategy form either fighter but the way I immediately saw it, was that a fighter in Evander's situation could of easily benefited from switching to Southpaw and moving around his Op's left hand side. A simple solution that then presents it's own set of problems but at least it presents some openings too...

Anyway, this got me thinking... Who 'switched' their feet with regularity?
What fighters utilised their stance to create openings for them selves, or even nullify openings for their opponents?

I never really studied Switch-Hitters for what they are and to be honest, I can only think of about three 'Switch-Hitters' (Naz, Graham, Witter,) but as you can see, they are from the Ingle camp... I know Hagler did it too but to be honest, the whole feet thing is a facet of his game that I have left undervalued... I'll give him another look.

But who else did it? But more importantly HOW and WHY?

The man in your AV (great name by the way) did it to take the piss out of John Thaxton before stopping him. Thaxton was another Ingle merchant though.

I was going to say Emmanuel Augustus. Back in the older days I would say Jersey Joe Walcott. Hell he would even turn around and walk away from his man just to get them to come forward and land his dreadful left hook.

You would have to add the Dirrell brothers and Andre Ward.

Loving the new name Jim. I thought you'd started this because of our conversation about Augustus hangin' up his gloves after Saturday. I am not a big fan of switch hitting, as few can make it entertaining to watch. Most Ingle fighters in particular are ugly to watch. Naz did it well because of his speed, but Witter & McIntosh in particular are so boring to watch.

The best guy I've seen at switch hitting regularly is Andre ward. If you have good coordination and the right core principles in your boxing the only real change is the angles you have to work with, both stances have their advantages, but most guys don't apply the same pressure both ways. There is a slight shift in their mentality. Like Marvin hagler against Leonard in the early rounds. He thought of himself as more of a boxer in the orthodox stance and it
cost him early rounds.

Former 108lb champ Chiquita Gonzalez fought both orthodox and southpaw. In some situations Mike Tyson would shift sides to land particular punches

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Originally Posted by Taeth

The best guy I've seen at switch hitting regularly is Andre ward. If you have good coordination and the right core principles in your boxing the only real change is the angles you have to work with, both stances have their advantages, but most guys don't apply the same pressure both ways. There is a slight shift in their mentality. Like Marvin hagler against Leonard in the early rounds. He thought of himself as more of a boxer in the orthodox stance and it
cost him early rounds.

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The best time to switch is when the opposition is attacking and you switch out around the outside of their attack blindsiding them. Yet to see it done in boxing other than bouncing off the ropes and switching out to the side.

Sam Soliman is another.

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Originally Posted by bzkfn

Loving the new name Jim. I thought you'd started this because of our conversation about Augustus hangin' up his gloves after Saturday.

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Thanks man ;) Definitely the reason why I changed me username.
I'm an Augustus fan for one more fight and then that's it :cool:

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Originally Posted by Taeth

The best guy I've seen at switch hitting regularly is Andre ward. If you have good coordination and the right core principles in your boxing the only real change is the angles you have to work with, both stances have their advantages, but most guys don't apply the same pressure both ways. There is a slight shift in their mentality. Like Marvin hagler against Leonard in the early rounds. He thought of himself as more of a boxer in the orthodox stance and it
cost him early rounds.

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Andre Ward... There's a fighter I should go back and watch. Also, good points about Hagler man. Makes perfect sense. Mentality... Hmmm. That's too revealing... I'm just think out loud... I kinda wish more fighters switched more fluidly and functionally :-\ Not just ''okay, now I'm gonna be this guy''.

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Originally Posted by Andre

The best time to switch is when the opposition is attacking and you switch out around the outside of their attack blindsiding them. Yet to see it done in boxing other than bouncing off the ropes and switching out to the side.

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I know it's totally unfounded to say this but I can see how a fighter could benifit from more dynamic footwork. Like in the scenario you've just pointed out, there are a few times where a fighter could truly benefit fro manoeuvring over to (or pivoting on) the opposite foot.

I mean, of course it would have to be done at the right time, not just for the sake of bamboozling your opponent via flashiness. It's all about calculated risk... Wladimir Klitschko is an excellent boxer but he probably only throws 2 or 3 uppercuts per fight.... Because of the associated risk.

I dunno why I'm ranting on... I'm just glad I've been given these fighters names so I can go and do some research.

Oh and Fen.. I'm starting with Thaxton v Augustus ;D

The best place to switch is where you don't get hit in the process of switching. There is no best specific strategy just like in a fight in general anything can be countered, thus switching up what you do and adapting properly to the situation is the key to success

[QUOTE=Jimanuel Boogustus;939043]

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Originally Posted by bzkfn

I kinda wish more fighters switched more fluidly and functionally :-\ Not just ''okay, now I'm gonna be this guy''.

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Im not sure: but with the advances in mind- body coordination exercises that are being developed as we speak (By Scrap mostly). I think theres a chance that by practicing a certain verbal /mind exercise to gain a whole brain thinking pattern, combined with eye exercises: some fighters in the future will be able to balance out their dominant eye with their non dominant one and flow at ease fighting both ways balanced in and out.

Then you would really see set techniques being practiced that involve when to switch in reaction to the opponents moves for advantage in action in contact range not just switching for the sake of doing so out of range, then engaging.

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Originally Posted by Taeth

The best place to switch is where you don't get hit in the process of switching. There is no best specific strategy just like in a fight in general anything can be countered, thus switching up what you do and adapting properly to the situation is the key to success

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There are strategies. They are not practiced by boxers at the moment.

The strategies are moving from the inside of someones guard to the outside of someones guard maintaining control over their lead arm while you switch stance around them.

this allows you to end up on the outside (bodily) on their lead arm and so you have two arms against their none for that moment and it is them who has to readjust to where you are,so that is also a benefit to you.

Also you are switching feet which takes you away from their rear arm while taking you to the outside of their lead arm.

Of course this can only be done in certain circumstances) as other strategies are done in other circumstances.

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Originally Posted by Andre

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Originally Posted by Taeth

The best place to switch is where you don't get hit in the process of switching. There is no best specific strategy just like in a fight in general anything can be countered, thus switching up what you do and adapting properly to the situation is the key to success

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There are strategies. They are not practiced by boxers at the moment.

The strategies are moving from the inside of someones guard to the outside of someones guard maintaining control over their lead arm while you switch stance around them.

this allows you to end up on the outside (bodily) on their lead arm and so you have two arms against their none for that moment and it is them who has to readjust to where you are,so that is also a benefit to you.

Also you are switching feet which takes you away from their rear arm while taking you to the outside of their lead arm.

Of course this can only be done in certain circumstances) as other strategies are done in other circumstances.

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But controlling front arm can easily be countered if somebody has done other martial arts and applies them to boxing. If you rely on one thing you will figured out and beaten.

Hagler, Cotto, Donaire is trying to, Whitaker did it, quite a few really just am half asleep

Giovanni segura and Pirog both do it alot in efforts to cut the ring off and both do it really well. Ward and cotto do it in spots just to change it up occasionally.

I remember Gatti doing it, but it never really seemed to work for him. Andre Dirrell does it alot. Cotto used to do it, but I doubt Manny Steward puts that into his training. Didnt Arguello used to switch up alot as well?

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Originally Posted by Taeth

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Originally Posted by Andre

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Originally Posted by Taeth

The best place to switch is where you don't get hit in the process of switching. There is no best specific strategy just like in a fight in general anything can be countered, thus switching up what you do and adapting properly to the situation is the key to success

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There are strategies. They are not practiced by boxers at the moment.

The strategies are moving from the inside of someones guard to the outside of someones guard maintaining control over their lead arm while you switch stance around them.

this allows you to end up on the outside (bodily) on their lead arm and so you have two arms against their none for that moment and it is them who has to readjust to where you are,so that is also a benefit to you.

Also you are switching feet which takes you away from their rear arm while taking you to the outside of their lead arm.

Of course this can only be done in certain circumstances) as other strategies are done in other circumstances.

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But controlling front arm can easily be countered if somebody has done other martial arts and applies them to boxing. If you rely on one thing you will figured out and beaten.

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Change that to any number of things tried continually (as in any technique in boxing or any other system.)

If you rely on one thing you don't belong there,that would be extremely obvious to even someone who doesn't have an interest in fights.

But then again I could say the queen of England has more than 6 pairs of shoes...


If you do any move twice (other than when the opposition are over committed) the other guy will react differently or try to counter it, it doesnt matter what it is that you are doing.


Im taking about flowing around that arm while maintaining control as you switch feet. Not a grapple. And you move away from the rear arm threat while you do it. Its in one situation.

Its just one thing out of many that can arise prior to or within the subject of this conversation. No need to have to be correct over it, by trying to prove my thoughts wrong. There isnt a right or wrong; it just is, it exists and it works in that situation.
Also this is simply a conversation under a subject heading not some competition.

Naz used to do it too .

Who was that clown of the ring a few years back who used to fuk around a bit he used to do it too, I've had a mental blank on his name.

Andre, what do you mean when you say 'dominant eye'. How'ds that work? I'm intrigued :)

*** Edit ***

Just found this: http://www.archeryweb.com/archery/eyedom.htm
So if your dominant eye is your left eye (friend of a friend).... How would that be utilised in boxing?

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Originally Posted by Jimanuel Boogustus

Andre, what do you mean when you say 'dominant eye'. How'ds that work? I'm intrigued :)

*** Edit ***

Just found this: Determining your Dominant Eye
So if your dominant eye is your left eye (friend of a friend).... How would that be utilised in boxing?

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Haha just stick your finger out and kind of look past it out of focus until you have a good double. When you close one eye your finger will look to shift sideways. Close the other one and it just get's rid of the double image. The latter is your dominant eye.

Audley had to do it for his fight with Sprott.

Tyson did it when he was going to knock someone out.

I am sure Herol Graham was mainly a southpaw.

I was using Scraps knowledge there, he explains it better.Look in Trainer section do a search.

Your dominant eye dictates which way around you fight in, south or natural.

Latley he has been utilizing other exercises which help reshape his fighters innner being.


I was thinking aloud really that another combination of practice with mind work and eye work could eventually have people more comfortable and ambidextrous maybe.


We coming leaps and bounds in all things us humans you never know whats around the corner in any day,its happening faster now.

At least for myself, and I can't speak on behalf of anyone else, but it's only a shift in perception that changes when I switch. I think people focus too much on dominant this or that. If you are trying to establish a certain sense of self on your opponent that can be done regardless of which side is forward. Boxing due to tradition limits it's in stances largely to either southpaw or orthodox to their own short coming. Heaven knows why boxers don't use the vastly more versatile and fluid footwork in Chinese martial arts. You also generate more power and you don't have to hop.

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Originally Posted by Taeth

At least for myself, and I can't speak on behalf of anyone else, but it's only a shift in perception that changes when I switch. I think people focus too much on dominant this or that. If you are trying to establish a certain sense of self on your opponent that can be done regardless of which side is forward. Boxing due to tradition limits it's in stances largely to either southpaw or orthodox to their own short coming. Heaven knows why boxers don't use the vastly more versatile and fluid footwork in Chinese martial arts. You also generate more power and you don't have to hop.

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Wow that is some brave words on a boxing forum, or were you being sarcastic?
Either way :).

I think the boxer can get away with not sitting on a punch more when fighting on the outside so he can get away with dancing on his toes more, plus he isnt going to get his feet swept out either by hopping as you say.

There are probably justifiable benifits in both ways depending on whats going on: either the inner brawl telephone box style of boxing probably could use some of the Chinese footwork and still get to deliver power twisting in boxing style.

Then theres dancing and remaining on the toes when the fight is fresh or at the bantamand feather end of the weights and at that outer distance of contact you need it too.

As you say, be nice to see someone really know exactly when to apply the two and shape it into a style.

... So glad I started this thread :) I'm now looking into chineese martial arts.

Hopefully by Saturday I'll be a member of a Kung-Fu forum :D

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Originally Posted by amat

Giovanni segura and Pirog both do it alot in efforts to cut the ring off and both do it really well.

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Just watched the Pirog/ Jacobs fight. I wonder if he was taught to do that...? It definitely works and he always does it at the right time.

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Originally Posted by Jimanuel Boogustus

... So glad I started this thread :) I'm now looking into chineese martial arts.

Hopefully by Saturday I'll be a member of a Kung-Fu forum :D

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Thats deep water mate.
Too many of them secretly and sometimes not so secretly hate each others styles and claim dominance over each other, its hard to find men in martial arts these days who have the old way of respect for all things and all things have their place.

as already said herol graham did it but it was usually just a quick switch to gain a quick opening then he would switch back.eubank used to do a little walcott walk change of direction which caused him to switch very briefly.there was a american middleweight in the 80's called don lee who was a switcher hitter, he got a win over tony sibson and was a fringe contender for a while and of course hagler could fight as a lefty or righty

Livingston Bramble did it I believe.

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Originally Posted by Andre

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Originally Posted by Jimanuel Boogustus

... So glad I started this thread :) I'm now looking into chineese martial arts.

Hopefully by Saturday I'll be a member of a Kung-Fu forum :D

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Thats deep water mate.
Too many of them secretly and sometimes not so secretly hate each others styles and claim dominance over each other, its hard to find men in martial arts these days who have the old way of respect for all things and all things have their place.

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;D Fuck it, I can't spread my attention that thinly anyway....

I did find some interesting stuff on 'Uprooting Footwork', basically destroying your opponents balance... Would be very interested in finding out how balance can be messed with in Boxing.

But I think I'll leave Kung-Fu thing in China for now.

Livingston Bramble it is :)

Master cc indeed ! Bramble was a very underrated inside fighter, squared in spots but cagey as all hell.

Might be an off example as it was more hyper activity then punch placement but what about Vinny Pazienza. Always shifting, circling and pretty sporadic. Led with his body alot and loaded up in later years but feet were on the move constant.

Shit. Johnny Tapia!! Game, set, match. Azumah Nelson.

Naz sold out for his delivery really...had two left feet when it came time to receive.

Naz (in his prime) did it all the time.