What is the strategic advantage of a low guard?

It opens your opponent up and encourages them to lead due to them thinking you’re open, as a result opening them up for potential counters.

Mike Gibbons is probably the best example of a fighter with a very low guard, he did it purposefully to get his opponent to think he was open when in reality he was using his low hand placement for bait to counter.

 

It opens up different angles, changes where your punches are delivered from, changes how and where you move your head to, changes how you use your hands and shoulders to guard, catch, and parry (this is still done in a low guard). There’s a few that could branch off into many more by themselves, not to mention stuff im unaware of or not thinking of!

Often times a high guard fighter struggles to see jabs from the low

There are many pros and cons to it, like almost any technique, it’s mostly situational (who’s using it, who’s the opponent, whatre they both doing, what’s working, what’s not).

For AJ… I struggle to see when its ever useful… he’s never done well with it to my knowledge… sound cliche - but he’s too stiff for it…

 

I'm having Kirkland Laing flashbacks.

 

Fury’s reflexes are also pretty shot compared to when he was younger, it also probably isn’t too wise to have a low guard against a smaller faster opponent as it is a reflex-based form of defense and countering. That being said, it was also a bit advantageous for Fury throughout the early half due to keeping Usyk constantly guessing with his bizarre guard. He just isn’t quick enough to utilize it as effectively anymore.

 

Joshua thought to be Mayweather, Ali or Roy Jones and to have their reflexes.

 

Makes you more unpredictable, relaxed, and saves energy.

 

It gives you much better vision so you can see punches easier and move your head better. It also creates an awkward angle for your opponent so its harder for them to see your punches, and it makes counter punching easier. And finally its a more relaxed guard so it conserves more energy as opposed to a high guard

 

Isn't an up jab deceptive because you can't see the punch coming from your peripheral vision? And also a taller fighter can lower his hands to better suit his shorter adversary without punching downward

 

It makes your punching lanes more tricky, gears your body mechanics towards head movement, and constantly draws punches. Generally speaking. Lots of nuance to various guards.

Also, less energy consuming.

 

With the Philly Shell defence you keep your left glove low and protect your body by wrapping your left arm around your body. The left hand side of your jaw is protected with either your right glove or by tucking your chin firmly into your left shoulder.

 

From my experience, it also makes you a little bit faster and smoother with your feet as well as your upperbody movement. The human arms weigh approximately 6.5% of a person's total weight and keeping that weight high up does slow you down a little bit. But, of course, keeping your hands down comes at the price of completely sacrificing your guard if your first line of defense (your footwork) gets breached.

 

I personally do not believe there is any strategic advantage to a low guard. I think it's very irresponsible tbh