Right Hook to the Body

Bigger Stronger Leaner
1

Yep - we all love a good liver shot. Unfortunately, I’m a southpaw, and so while reaching that liver is possible with a straight left hand, my right hook to the body - which is my Sunday punch - can’t hit it.

So in effect, I’m looking for the perfect spot on the left side of the body to land it that creates the same sort of stiffening effect that the liver shot does - is that possible? I know the spleen is on that side, but I don’t know if it has the same effect.

There’s that area along the ribcage that always works well - it’s just so uncomfortable to get hit there - but is there a one-shot spot to aim for?

2

No, burn in hell southpaw.

Seriously though, there is nothing, NOTHING, that can replicate a solid shot to the liver. Eating a shot to the spleen or kidneys is a stroll in the park by comparison. It’s one of the negatives of being a southpaw. You are absolutely right that there are still spots that suck, just underneath the ribs at the back of the legitimate target area, is uncomfortable, but it is one of the consolations of boxing a southpaw, it is much harder for them to hurt you to the body in my experience.

That said, I do believe a southpaw can get some short range hooks to the liver in. I used to spar with a southpaw who was very effective at this. What he used to do was concede the lead foot outside advantage briefly, draw my right hand, slip inside it and step across aggressively on the point of my lead shoulder (sometimes leading for it with the jab), almost squaring us both off, and rip a short, almost squared up, left shovel into the liver.

It’s obviously not the same thing as a sweet lead left hook to the liver, but done well it was exceptionally effective. I realise that the description might not be very helpful. It’s hard to put something that is a split second’s worth of action and years of experience into a short paragraph. If it’s not clear, let me know and I’ll try to elaborate.

Not quite a direct answer to your question, but I hope it helps.

3

Yes there is, the heart. The left ventricle of the heart can be struck by a right hook or straight right to the body. This is a really, really nasty shot though, and you never know if your training partners could have latent heart issues, so I would only recommend targeting this with hard punches if it was for real.

To hit this point you want to aim right below the left peck, about half way between the nipple and center of the chest should hit it.

A right hook/drop punch to the heart followed by a left hook/drop punch to the liver combination used to be called a “38” by old time boxers because of it’s “stopping power” and ability to drop people.

4

[quote]Sentoguy wrote:
Yes there is, the heart. The left ventricle of the heart can be struck by a right hook or straight right to the body. This is a really, really nasty shot though, and you never know if your training partners could have latent heart issues, so I would only recommend targeting this with hard punches if it was for real.

To hit this point you want to aim right below the left peck, about half way between the nipple and center of the chest should hit it.

A right hook/drop punch to the heart followed by a left hook/drop punch to the liver combination used to be called a “38” by old time boxers because of it’s “stopping power” and ability to drop people.
[/quote]

Awesome post. I had no idea about that. Thanks for sharing Sento, great bit of info.

5

[quote]FightinIrish26 wrote:
Yep - we all love a good liver shot. Unfortunately, I’m a southpaw, and so while reaching that liver is possible with a straight left hand, my right hook to the body - which is my Sunday punch - can’t hit it.

So in effect, I’m looking for the perfect spot on the left side of the body to land it that creates the same sort of stiffening effect that the liver shot does - is that possible? I know the spleen is on that side, but I don’t know if it has the same effect.

There’s that area along the ribcage that always works well - it’s just so uncomfortable to get hit there - but is there a one-shot spot to aim for?[/quote]

I will give you my opinion rather than specific answer to your specific question.

1.I divide all punches,kicks,strikes to hits to the head or hits to the body/legs

2.hits to the head need not be destructive to the structure to be effective e.i. jaw-rotation knockout,blinking,stunning,distracting to help to win the fight,but hits to the body or legs must produce damage. Otherwise,your opponent would under adrenaline not be affected by it.

3.so,with your hand properly conditioned to endure hitting hard,and you hitting hard,you should just break the ribs with your right hook

4.if you punch under the ribs,go in the upright direction

5.I like to copy Earnie Shavers body mechanics…all the force in the legs and rotation of the hips go into making the shot harder…great stuff

Hope that helps! Stay strong! ,)

6

[quote]Sentoguy wrote:
Yes there is, the heart. The left ventricle of the heart can be struck by a right hook or straight right to the body. This is a really, really nasty shot though, and you never know if your training partners could have latent heart issues, so I would only recommend targeting this with hard punches if it was for real.

To hit this point you want to aim right below the left peck, about half way between the nipple and center of the chest should hit it.

A right hook/drop punch to the heart followed by a left hook/drop punch to the liver combination used to be called a “38” by old time boxers because of it’s “stopping power” and ability to drop people.
[/quote]

If I ever land this, I’m gonna tell you about it.

Always enjoy your posts Sento

7

[quote]Sentoguy wrote:
Yes there is, the heart. The left ventricle of the heart can be struck by a right hook or straight right to the body. This is a really, really nasty shot though, and you never know if your training partners could have latent heart issues, so I would only recommend targeting this with hard punches if it was for real.

To hit this point you want to aim right below the left peck, about half way between the nipple and center of the chest should hit it.

A right hook/drop punch to the heart followed by a left hook/drop punch to the liver combination used to be called a “38” by old time boxers because of it’s “stopping power” and ability to drop people.
[/quote]

I second that - great post. I can’t believe I’ve never heard of that - where did you pick up this one?

It’s a great combo, I dig it.

I really had no idea that a shot to the heart could do that sort of thing.

8

Picked it up from Joe Lewis, he actually named one of his Black Belt Combinations after this combination due to it’s effectiveness. Not sure where he picked it up from but my money would be on Eddie Futch or Ray Robinson.