why do so many pros fight with there hands down

[jamamb]

just wondering, because it seems like ppl consider 'keep your hands up' one of the most fundemntal defense teachings. yet i see hands up defense more at lower levels though. in fact in many pro fights guys just dont seem to get them up at all and just almost casually take jab after jab etc

is it the long duration of pro fights, with holding ones hands up being too tiring? more body protection?

[Ruthless-RKO]

I understand if it’s part of you’re style. Maybe those that hardly got hit.. like a prime RJJ..

If you’re not a slick boxer.. or good defensively, you should have you’re hands up IMO.

[Coco]

You don't really need your hands up if you can defend with foot and head movement.
However you have to be really good to do that and not everyone is Naseem Hamed! Unfortunately lots of people copied him and aren't good enough to do it.
One problem with this style is that once buzzed your movement goes out of the window. Hamed suffered this prob.
Traditionally us Brits were taught the peak a boo stance where we rely on blocking and parrying more.

[Noxy]

Yes, it may work for some and then you can punch from lower down. But if you can’t do it, then don’t try it (Sam Eggington)

[Noxy]

You can also keep your hands down when you’re out of punching range and cover up in close. But it’s not easy to judge that right.

[REEVE]

I dont about other ppl but my hamds stay high up ...id never teach a fighter i was training to have his hands down

Although there is a kid in my gym whos hands down and my trainer lets him go it seems to suit his style

[smiling assassin]

More and more fighters now are influenced by flashier fighters therefore they try imitating the style but aren't good enough to really do so. My favourite fighter of recent times is Cotto high guard and a tremendous fighter

[Loftgroov]

Just posing... we have Roy Jones Jnr to thank.

It’s basically saying to your opponent “blocking shots is what average fighters do.... I’m so f.ucking slick I just make you miss”. Probably has had a big stylist influence on the likes of Josh Kelly watching that growing up.

The exception perhaps was Froch, who just seemed to keeps his hands down and eat some shots to show how good his chin was.

[KiwiRider]

Yes, it may work for some and then you can punch from lower down. But if you can’t do it, then don’t try it (Sam Eggington)

I couldn't think of a more perfect example.

[Datsue]

Just posing... we have Roy Jones Jnr to thank.

It’s basically saying to your opponent “blocking shots is what average fighters do.... I’m so f.ucking slick I just make you miss”. Probably has had a big stylist influence on the likes of Josh Kelly watching that growing up.

The exception perhaps was Froch, who just seemed to keeps his hands down and eat some shots to show how good his chin was.

Was gonna say "Too many Roy Jones videos", but you beat me to it!

[stu 27]

Would you say it’s harder to see shots,especially a low jab like groves from unorthodox angles when the hands are low?

[tiny_acres]

Just posing... we have Roy Jones Jnr to thank.

It’s basically saying to your opponent “blocking shots is what average fighters do.... I’m so f.ucking slick I just make you miss”. Probably has had a big stylist influence on the likes of Josh Kelly watching that growing up.

The exception perhaps was Froch, who just seemed to keeps his hands down and eat some shots to show how good his chin was.

Hell it's gone on way longer that RJJ.
Ali did it in the 60's
Willie Pep used to do it. It ain't nothing new.
Most that do it today don't have the speed or athleticism to pull it off. Just makes them look foolish when they're picking their butt off the canvas

[JimJim2009]

Kirkland laing was bloody good at it in his prime. When the reflexes dimmed he paid for it though, the shock loss to buck smith was brutal

[Noxy]

Would you say it’s harder to see shots,especially a low jab like groves from unorthodox angles when the hands are low?

For sure, to me that would be the main reason to do it.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Just posing... we have Roy Jones Jnr to thank.

It’s basically saying to your opponent “blocking shots is what average fighters do.... I’m so f.ucking slick I just make you miss”. Probably has had a big stylist influence on the likes of Josh Kelly watching that growing up.

The exception perhaps was Froch, who just seemed to keeps his hands down and eat some shots to show how good his chin was.

Hell it's gone on way longer that RJJ.
Ali did it in the 60's
Willie Pep used to do it. It ain't nothing new.
Most that do it today don't have the speed or athleticism to pull it off. Just makes them look foolish when they're picking their butt off the canvas

It’s happening more now.. it’s definately RJJ highlights that young boxers watch.

He arguably has the best career highlghts..

[Tuan_Jim]

Young fighters may well get it from Roy, but he got it from Ali. It's basically all Ali, Cassius Clay is the germ of the 80s style, the 90s, 00s and now,,,, er, the "2010"s? It's mind boggling the number of devastating knockouts and brutal reality checks his freaky talent is responsible for. Adopting Ali's idiosyncratic style is like playing Russian roulette with five rounds loaded.

[Grilling Machine]

You know if you're out running on a busy road next to a hedge and see a bit sticking out, you lower your nearest arm and push that shoulder forward, reducing your profile as you pass it. Similar to when a car comes by on a narrow lane. Low guards have the same benefit in profile reduction, but as said, you need to be good enough at it. You won't snag a punch when shoulder-rolling, etc.

You also impede your own peripheral vision with your hands too high, which Tyson avoided with his halfway-house style, always ready to turn his shots over with his palms inward. Lastly, you have to lower your hands somewhat for powershots, so you're more primed when your hands are closer to their starting points, legs and positioning allowing. You can't turn high shots over as well, but a high guard's fine for those who favour sharp 1-2s and/or volume to overhands and hooks.

All of this is talking about fighting with your lead hand at rib/chest level or thereabouts. The traditional high guard makes it harder to avoid telegraphing, but that's okay if you're fit as a fiddle with lots of movement based on good reads. If you're a defensive fighter it's basically the rapier-and-dagger style. Dangling by your side's for special talents and moonshiners.

[Stuarty]

It's a comfort thing.

[jamamb]

just seems strange to me, on the one hand it seems so obvious to me that hands up is better protection, yet so many pros do it that makes me think must be some effectiveness to it?

but ya, maybe just imitation

[Grilling Machine]

If a low guard draws punches that you can punish, it's easy to see why some prefer it. Safety through counter offence. Haye was a prime example, showcasing both its efficacy and failings. We all remember Mock (and Graham-Jackson), and of course it let him down when his reflexes went and he didn't adapt.

But when it worked...

Gassiev has a classic guard with relaxed shoulders, and it arguably contributed to his loss against Usyk. Stylistically, I really like Khan. If he had a bit more pop and a better chin he'd be pretty amazing. I've always liked fluid fighters who carry their lead at chest height and stay busy with their jabs, slipping and rolling to avoid high shots on the outside.

[Datsue]

Stylistically, I really like Khan. If he had a bit more pop and a better chin he'd be pretty amazing. I've always liked fluid fighters who carry their lead at chest height and stay busy with their jabs, slipping and rolling to avoid high shots on the outside.

Khan's chin is carried wide in the air because of what you're referring to. He's been nailed by guys who could time him his entire career & has suffered several devastating knockouts because of it. He's also had to come back from the brink versus loads of guys simply because he fights the way he does. It wouldn't matter if his chin was iron, it means he gets hit with stupid shots. He always has. Trainers have tinkered with him a bit but none of them have fixed it—he used to get nailed with the odd overhand right & lots of left hooks in the middle of combinations, which'd drop him (Gomez, Drilzane, Diaz, Garcia) then he got bored of that & started carrying his lead really low & getting walloped exclusively by right hands instead (Algieri, Vargas, Alvarez).

You put your hands up for a reason. There's a generation of fighters who don't fight with the left hand low & their weight waaaaaaaay over on the back foot like Charley Burley or Jersey Joe Walcott or Mayweather or Hopkins (i.e. to draw the lead, roll under & counter while keeping the chin tucked & any impacts away from their chin), they stand right straight up while waving their left hand about & try to move their heads out the way at the last second 'cos Roy Jones & Ali could get away with it. Khan is among their number.

& 99% of them get dinged because of it.

I mean, I don't mind Khan fighting like that, I've loved watching him get senselessly battered by much lower-calibre fighters because of this glaring technical flaw. It's been proper exciting, like. It just seems a bit silly to romanticise it when if he had a proper guard he'd have a lot more brain cells left.

[Grilling Machine]

I mean, I don't mind Khan fighting like that, I've loved watching him get senselessly battered by much lower-calibre fighters because of this glaring technical flaw. It's been proper exciting, like. It just seems a bit silly to romanticise it when if he had a proper guard he'd have a lot more brain cells left.

I think it's about ring intelligence, not a proper guard. His high chin is a high chin — completely separate to a lowish lead. And he often gets caught during his offence because he's prone to greediness and doesn't always desist in time.

Trinidad fought in a similar way, it's just that he knew how to cover up on the inside; knew angles; knew leverage... And he was Trinidad. I don't think it's Khan's style that lets him down, I think it's Khan's utilisation! I do agree that it doesn't suit him, but that's another matter. Leonard's style isn't any good for the 99% either, but I still love it.

[brilo33]

when your tried your hands drop, i feel if i drop my left iam now the offence fighter , were if the hands are up i feel like iam gonna take a shot to give a shot

[lillywhite14]

Give me the cross arm/crab everyday of the week! Now there’s a stance!