Why don’t these giant SHWs use a cross guard?

I was thinking the same thing. Some relatively simple defense for Joyce.

 

He was trying to go lower and keep his hands up. You just can't seem to teach an old dog new tricks.

 

He tried to block horizontally/crossing with his rear arm in Zhang II if I remember correctly. He is arguably too old to develop a new system, though on the other hand Whyte did have some success with it against second rate opposition.

 

part of his issue is that he likes to throw his jab with his arm down, like Ali or Holmes. Except they were quick enough to make their defense work well enough. Bakole is too slow. Although once he gets throwing his hand speed looks respectable.

 

Well then, cross-blocking with his rear hand while he jabs might just be for him.

 

I feel like it's not always a good thing they avoid taking punishment.
For instance, Chisora was using a cross guard for a while, maybe he still does, I wouldn't know because I can't stand watching him, but the point is it might have saved him taking some brain damage. How is that a good thing?

 

I don't think it's weight as it's as much height and leverages. Being shorter means:

A. You have a lower center of gravity, thereby improving your acceleration, balance and lateral movement.

B. You have shorter limbs, thereby improving your reaction speed, proprioception and hand eye co-ordination.

It's not just talent pools that make smaller athletes seem more "skilled" than their larger counter parts, as in a lot of ways being smaller is an objective athletic advantage. The most extreme example of this is womens ice skating, where sometimes people peak in their early teens because finishing puberty and becoming stronger and larger actually makes them less athletic for the demands of their sport.

 

Cross guard is even worse for that.

 

It got him through against Joyce. Weaved like he was Archie Moore against Marciano.

 

So why did it work so well for Foreman? Who is arguably the greatest big man/slugger we've ever seen.

 

Maybe bc of his iron chin and hands.
Also, George had a pretty broad skill set. He had some good trainers