how come "safety-first" fighters fight with their hands down?

[SplitSecond]

............................

[F l i c k e r]

It's easier to move around with your hands down. That's why.

[SplitSecond]

It's easier to move around with your hands down. That's why.

so hands down is actually a better defense than hands-up?

[STILL_DETOX]

so hands down is actually a better defense than hands-up?

depends on how u use it...look at arthur abraham with his hands up and look at prime roy with his hands down

[Evil Abed]

so hands down is actually a better defense than hands-up?

No.

They try to be slick.

some drop there hands so they invited aggressive fighters so they can counter.

They think if they drop there hands the opponent won't see the punches coming.

Only the fastest fighters with great reflexes can truly use this style effectively.

IMO most fighters can't pull it off.