How to avoid giving ground

[Gocougars3]

Yeah, I understand what you are saying. I am not doing a good job of describing the problem. I'll try again.

My fighter seems to be a counter mover as well as a counter puncher which may not be bad but a determined, experienced fighter can use my guy's willingness to move into the open space to cut off the ring and win rounds by appearing to impose his will. Sometimes what unfolds is, the other guy pushes forward with some kind of attack, my fighter backs up a half step and plants, throws a short combination (maybe too short), seems like he then feels a little crowded and moves a little to his left and back to throw again, the other guy moves in and angles my guy off again- we seem to lose couple of feet on each exchange, even if we win the exchange. It's true that without head gear and sparring gloves the shots my guy lands are going to hurt but in tough sparring and in the early parts of some of his fights he ends up getting backed up (even though he is often stronger than his opponent and even if he is landing the cleaner shots).

Does he have to push the counter attack more, learn how to get off first more (he works on this but it's still not natural), maybe bump with his shoulder to make space. Is it critical not to give so much ground (as long as he stays out of the corner)? Can you be a top fighter and still give ground? (I am not sure I can think of a lot of pure examples of that)

Maybe all I am asking is, "do you have to give ground if you are a southpaw counter puncher". One other thing I'll mention is that he is a good athlete but he pivots and shuffles more than bounces (doesn't get up on his toes much) and he tends to fight with his weight centered or slightly back (I personally like that). He likes to have his feet set to throw and his base can get a little wide at times.

[greynotsoold]

Almost by definition, a southpaw will be a counter puncher. Also, by fighting in close, shoulder to shoulder, you surrender most of the advantage of fighting southpaw, that being the angles created. Distance, and the ability to control it, are your best friends.
I don't see the necessity to fight over every inch of the ring, or of bouncing on one's toes. Can he punch as he moves to the left- or does he just bail out going that way?( I notice that you say he moves left and then back to punch) Shorten his base and work on how he pivots and punches: being able to effectively turn to his left and punch gives him punching angles, prolongs exchanges (with your fighter in a hard place to get hit and able to punch) and should dispel the idea that he is being pushed around.