Thread for thoughts, breakdowns, and training tips for all the guys trying to revive the legendary lock.
I don't see how the cross arm defense leaves you open to uppercuts. Left hooks yes but I never got caught with uppercuts
George Foreman had good cross guard in 90s, Dwight Muhammad Qawi also, Joe Frazier, James Toney etc.. Today it is rarely seen, probably only when fighter gasses.. I think it's a little bit lazy guard, used by heavy hitters who could absorb a lot of punishment without losing too much steam and get back with hard punches of their own. I like the part of crushing your opponents hands with elbows. I always thought that it protects you well against uppercuts but maybe I was wrong.. Tried it few times in sparring, never felt safe in that guard, but I believe that it works for specific fighters.
I like eccentric styles for any sport or game. It's like being a southpaw. You have tons of experience fighting against an orthodox stance or normal style but they don't have much experience fighting yours. Unfortunately, in boxing, the learning process for weird styles is very painful.
Alright guys. At some point I went full ****ing insane for the crossguard, researching it religiously, sparring countless rounds, discussing it and seeking out any possible source or information, and finally dramatizing it so much so that writing a book about the guard became one of my life's great goals. I'll update you.
Why? It’s complex and isn’t like it has some special innate quality that puts it above conventions boxing, in the wrong hands it’s a liability… Charles was just one of the best versions of conventional boxing and he bossed its best user to 3-0, find a real teacher of it or you’ll need to be a master of observation to really learn. Ask Witherspoon questions maybe? He’s accessible.
Charles was also a massive puncher and one of the GOAT candidates. Archie is still one of the top 3 LHW ever. Will hopefully manage to write a lengthy post in which I can express my love.
Well yeah but really it’s not worth the literal head ache or brain cells IMO…. What advantage if any does it have? Can you do anything you can’t do in a regular stance in a more obvious way? I watch a lot of Fullmer and I really can’t figure it out… I’m trying myself as a side hobby but I won’t be able to know for sure if I’m getting it right lol
