Why are there so many southpaw thaiboxers in Thailand?

[spritzlackieren]

When comparing with boxers from other countries the Thais stand out because it seems more than half of them are southpaws. Either there are an unnatural ratio of lefties vs righties in Thailand or most of them will be standing with their power hand in front. If it's the latter then surely the Thais must do this for a reason?

I've been thinking that it might be because the Thais want to have an edge against their neighbors Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, because they seem to be mainly orthodox there and thus don't have so much experience fighting against southpaws as the Thais do fighting against orthodox fighters?
Or is it because going southpaw gives you easy access to the opponent's liver with the rear round kick? Rushing in with punches against a southpaw with good round kicks seems riskier than doing it against an orthodox fighter so it might be a deterrent against brawlers who always go forward?

 

[nino]

When comparing with boxers from other countries the Thais stand out because it seems more than half of them are southpaws. Either there are an unnatural ratio of lefties vs righties in Thailand or most of them will be standing with their power hand in front. If it's the latter then surely the Thais must do this for a reason?

I've been thinking that it might be because the Thais want to have an edge against their neighbors Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, because they seem to be mainly orthodox there and thus don't have so much experience fighting against southpaws as the Thais do fighting against orthodox fighters?
Or is it because going southpaw gives you easy access to the opponent's liver with the rear round kick? Rushing in with punches against a southpaw with good round kicks seems riskier than doing it against an orthodox fighter so it might be a deterrent against brawlers who always go forward?

I think because being Southpaw is an advantage and it depends on the gym, at Banchamek gym you have Buakaw and Superbon who are orthodox

 

[Boran]

Orthodox is good, southpaw is champion.
Many southpaw fighters in Thailand are actually right handed but had to switch to southpaw from their trainers, because it gives you an advantage over orthodox fighters.

 

[UWanaPlayDaGame]

it's because thais start training at such a young age, the trainers will "choose" if they want to develop a young kid at orthodox or southpaw. little kids won't have any preconception about fighting stances and will just do as they're told.

 

[AbeRudder]

Being a southpaw is an inherent advantage in mma and kickboxing but especially in muay thai because of how mid kicks to the arms score.

 

[shincheckin]

also starting at such a young age, it would be good to be proficient in both stances, rather then just one. Most high level guys can fight both stances, some prefer one or the other. IMO I think it would be best to have no stance, and switch back and forth regularly throughout the fight.

 

[Sanchoy]

Only 10% of the world's population is left handed. However, in the legend of fighting most of the best fighters were lefties. For thai boxing left side, opens up power kicks, this attack scores high and damages high. And the usual, southpaw is more comfortable fighting orthodox than the other way around. Most thai lefties are right handed, but learn to fight lefty.


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