James Toney How To Spar A Southpaw

Boxing Patterns The Mini-Course https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G45KN5WS
Writing on Substack: https://boxingnotebook.substack.com/
Boxing Patterns The Mini-Course Volume 2 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G99MTWLB

Key Concepts in Toney’s Approach Against a Southpaw

1. Catching and Countering the Rear Hook
• Steve (southpaw) throws a rear hook.
• James (orthodox) catches it and counters with his rear hand.
• This is a classic counter technique—absorb, react, and fire back.

2. Shifting to Southpaw to Gain Position
• James gets hit by a jab but uses it as an opportunity.
• He shifts his head over his lead foot while bringing his rear foot forward.
• This switch momentarily turns him into a southpaw, putting him in a close stance with Steve.

3. Creating the Angle and Getting Behind His Opponent
• To fully get around Steve, James shifts his head over his new lead foot.
• He wraps his rear arm around Steve while stepping behind.
• This completely turns James around to Steve’s back—a brilliant positioning move.

Second Example: Using a Leaping Jab & Pendulum Step

1. Leaping Jab Setup
• James starts in an orthodox stance against the southpaw.
• He throws a leaping jab and lands with his weight on his lead foot.
• This weight distribution is critical for what comes next.

2. Pendulum Step to Reposition
• Because his weight is on his lead foot, James can execute a second pendulum step to shift his stance.
• His feet end up pointing toward the camera, meaning he has stepped behind Steve.

3. Wrap & Spin for Complete Control
• James wraps his rear arm around Steve.
• He spins him, demonstrating complete control over his opponent’s movement.
• The move is fluid and seamless, showcasing Toney’s mastery of angles and footwork.

Key Takeaways from James Toney’s Strategy
• Use opponent’s attacks against them (catch and counter).
• Head positioning dictates stance shifts (shifting over the lead foot facilitates switching angles).
• Footwork is everything (pendulum steps and directional changes allow for control).
• Wrapping and spinning forces the opponent to lose positioning.

James Toney’s ability to switch angles and manipulate positioning in close range is a testament to his high-level boxing IQ.

James Toney, Steve Vukosa
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