Yeah, the elbow is probably the only option you have when it comes to blocking, but ducking is always a good idea, if you can't duck under the hook you still reduce the distance that your elbow has to travel. To me the cross arm guard is a specific tool that works well for a certain type of fighter, guys who have a good jab and are great at fighting at close quarters, you can smash your elbows into your opponents forarms or bicepsses if he wants to clinch. That said, it is a limited tool that works well for a certain style, you can't really counterpunch when you're using it.
The lead left hook is so fast, I don't think anyone can duck quickly enough from an upright position to dodge consistently. Even a pull-counter to a jab requires far less movement compared to outright ducking.
Seems like a high energy style that can get dominated by a jab and especially by someone who can effectively hook off the jab. If you're meant to duck or fade every single left hook, your opponent can manipulate you with feints very effectively. This style sort of disappeared from the HW's in the 80's and 90's from what I can tell, which, perhaps by no coincidence was around the time that every single HW #1 started having a very, very good jab
A combination of having really good reflexes for his age and circling to the left (or to the right against southpaws) so that he was moving away from the hook and had more time to react when they did throw it.
Archie Moore Joe Frazier George Foreman (when he made a comeback) Ken Norton Gene Fullmer Bert Cooper Miguel Cotto Tim Witherspoon
I cant really think of anyone using it in the past 20 years regularly I think it's out of style. Philly shell still gets used.
Bennie Briscoe Curtis Parker James Toney along with his shoulder same with Henry Hank Max Bear used a version Thing is you can find alot of guys in the past that used it just not as pronounced as Norton who I think took it to a very high level. Hopkins would use the right hand up in a cross pattern alot too
