Who had the best guard in history?

Technically, later Hopkins, current Andre Ward, Ray Robinson when fighting seriously and not just looking to slug (e.g. Turpin II, Basilio II).

 

yes, im certain johnson would adapt just as efficiently today. the size of the gloves give you more shelter but may limit some of johnsons other tricks.

 

livingstone bramble? - that was a french guard if ever i saw one!

 

You just have to find what works for you. As far a defense goes, when I spar I tend to mix it up and use whatever I feel would work best on who I'm fighting depending on their style and build. With taller, rangier fighters I like to fight from a crouch, bobbing and weaving up underneath so as to get inside, smother their punches and bang the body.

I slip, block and parry with gloves and forearms while boxing side to side against the more squat, fireplug types who want to burrow inside.

The Archie Moore crossarms defense has been great for me when I want to go inside and tire guys out. It makes you a bit vulnerable to uppercuts, so be sure to learn to do this using a side to side weaving motion to avoid them. One of it's benefits is that your opponent will be slamming his fists against your pointy little elbows, which feels lovely on their knuckles:smoke. I use this style in conjunction with Henry Armstrong's advice to go inside and lean on your opponent when you need a rest. Your opponent thinks you're attacking and tees-off on your elbows, gassing himself out, hurting his knuckles and giving you precious seconds to rest up all at the same time. As soon as you hear him start breathing heavy then start slamming away on his body. It will take all the fight out of him.

A depleted fighter who sees his opponent still fresh as a daisy and ready to go is the most intimidating thing that one can see in the ring, imo. A truly scary situation.

 

Julio Cesar Chavez has a very underrated guard imo. As good as his chin was, his guard saved him from copping too many flush shots in his prime.

 

Michael Watson against Nigel Benn.

 

Mix it up . Do the foreman or the shoulder roll once In a while.

 

:rofl:rofl:rofl! You're probably right on that account, but Magic Johnson and Walt Frazier might give you some disagreement.But, pertaining to the thread, I would say Marlon Starling.Very strong guard, not too many punches got through.

 

Why block a punch when you can just completely evade it? Pep, Loche and Whitaker come to mind.

Good head movement with solid footwork is key to good defense. Each blocking style is also good for certain situations.

Cross-arm guard is good for brawler/slugger types

Textbook guard keeps your body balanced

Philly shell is good if you are looking to counter-punch.

 

Marlon Starling
Winky Wright
Felix Strum
Sven Ottke
Bernard Hopkins
Louis Acaries
Joshua Clottey

 

It was joked that Ricardo Lopez must go to bed with his hands up because of how well he maintained his guard. Lightweight Joe Brown is also in this basket; a man who cut a sleek figure in the ring and used his shoulder (Mayweather style) to catch right hands.

Bernard Hopkins and Andre Ward are both great in this department.

 

Marco Antonio Barrera had lovely fundamentals, tucked elbows, high hands - a fact which his fearsome career may be guilty of blurring.

 

Underrated guard: Rocky Marciano. Caught a lot of shots on the way in.

 

I must confess i did quite enjoy watching the Young Mike Rossman who stalked opponents whilst maintaining a high guard, Yaqui Lopez breeched these deferences but Mike showed Textbiook Application when later upsetting an admittedly jaded Galindez.

Martin Murray recently against Sergio Martinez showed Unflashy but very effective fundermentals.