What is the difference between a jab, a cross and a straight?

Question

In boxing of course, what is the difference between the 3 variations of punches?

Answer 1

Assuming your right handed, a jab is a quick left handed punch that doesn't require any pivoting on your feet; a cross is a stronger right handed punch that requires you to pivot on your right foot (imagine putting out a cigarette with your shoe) and bend your knee, putting more leg power into the punch.

A straight I think is the same as a jab or cross but not sure which.  

Answer 2

jab is more of a separation punch, while the straight is intended to hurt, the cross if different from the jab and straight because it comes across your body from the other side, lets say you are right handed its your right hand delivering a straight punch, they have names so that anouncers would be able to call the fight to be more specific when you say that liston landed a straight ot a cross you would know exatcly what he did

Answer 3

A jab is a light non committed punch it is built for speed and distance creator,not for power, it can sting but not do long term damage it is built to set your opponent off balance. a Cross goes from Right to left or Left to Right crossing the opponents torso( old terms the chin) and is substatially more powerful and built to turn your opponent to set him off center, a straight is just what it implies a straight punch that like the cross, it is a power punch but no change of direction just no nonsense straight from shoulder to direct front of person. Hope this helps

Answer 4

Jab- a straight left hand punch if you are an orthodox fighter.  If you're a southpaw, its a straight right hand punch.

Cross- a straight right hand punch if you are an orthodox fighter.  If you're a southpaw, its a straight left hand punch.

Straight- the same thing as a cross, but the term "straight" is usually used to describe the straight left of a southpaw as a way to distinguish it from the right cross of an orthodox fighter.  While watching a southpaw, you will usually hear "A nice straight left" instead of "A nice left cross" from the commentators.