True, but some of them as a tendency to shell up in resemblance to that picture(does anyone really cover their eyes like that?) when they are trapped in a corner or on the defensive. In their regular stance it's not like that.
But to be honest, I'm thinking about K-1 a few years back and disregarding the lighter weight classes. Glory now a days seems to offer a bigger variety.
Yeah true, I think I've just misinterpreted the picture
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I don't know if it's such a good thing that a lot of guys like to hold their hands down or drop them when they're striking lately TBH.
Dzhabar Askerov just KTFO'ed Enriko Kehl on Sunday when he noticed Enriko dropping his hands when he threw knees. I remember Tyrone Spong crediting this exact type of mistake that lead to his knockout of Remy Bonjasky. Josh Jauncey also ate a few back hands when he threw his knees against Sittichai because he dropped the hand and didn't pull it back in time. Mwekasa also got romped by that headkick in a recent Glory event as well that knocked him out and lost him the 4man tourney (which came from lowering hands as he throws).
I think, the typical Dutch and Western styles are very good at picking punches when hands are down. But as we've seen in the recent Glory event with Sittichai, the display of a lot of Thai guys being able to utilise body shots and low kicks more effectively against this "high guard" is a testament to the different styles in the game at the moment (Sittichai absolutely tore apart Josh Jauncey all over the ring, it's a great fight to watch). Also, Thai fighters are almost notorious for throwing kicks relentlessly, even at the arms (Yodsanklai), which seems to be something that Dutch/Western guys don't do as much.
Also, please don't think I'm simply splitting apart the fight styles here, obviously everyone in every culture and of every race can fight differently, just on the general from what I've seen lately, the high guard guys are doing well at picking shots when the hands are down, but the more elusive/guys that carry low hands are great at picking shots at the body and legs.
If the OP likes high guards of K-1 style fighters, definitely check out Dzhabar Askerov. That dude has a very tight high guard that I absolutely adore. He almost never drops his hands, even when he's out of range he keeps them relatively high. Always retracts them back to his forehead. Great, GREAT high guard for K1 style.
EDIT: I'm sorry OP if this post was solely about boxing.
PPS. I'm touting Sittichai as the next Buakaw (K1 dominant Thai guy)