Top five of the last forty years ?

[sthomas]

Hard to argue with the first list, but a young Camacho would make my list. Imagine if he was more dedicated?

[China_hand_Joe]

Originally Posted by Sweet Pea

In that case the thread didn't make sense, because none of that has to do with being a naturally talented fighter. It has more to do with being a completely textbook boxer, in which case you could certainly make a case. But the above and being "naturally talented" don't go hand in hand at all.

Which one do you want?

Co-ordination
Timing
Reflexes
Speed
Power
Chin

Lopez has those. Calzaghe certainly does. Both to a greater extent than Hopkins too.

Lopez has those attributes and applied them into a text book style.

[China_hand_Joe]

Hopkins relies on his intelligence and conditioning.

Hopkins almost 100% fullfilled his potential (through hard-work and technique), Calzaghe about 50% of his potential, but Calzaghe beats him anyway. You cannot list the man who lost to Roy Jones so comfortably.

[China_hand_Joe]

Originally Posted by jdp000109

I think Speed is the only one there that you can say Calzaghe has got the edge over Hopkins in.

Calzaghe was a talented footballer. Hopkins was a criminal. Calzaghe has the universally transferable talent.

[China_hand_Joe]

Their timing is equal and it is all Hopkins has to rely on.

Calzaghe has a billion superior attributes relevant in boxing.

[DanePugilist]

Originally Posted by China_hand_Joe

Hopkins relies on his intelligence and conditioning.

Hopkins almost 100% fullfilled his potential (through hard-work and technique), Calzaghe about 50% of his potential, but Calzaghe beats him anyway. You cannot list the man who lost to Roy Jones so comfortably.

How can he be 50% when his potential is limitless?

[China_hand_Joe]

Imagine the following scenario...

Hopkins, Lopez and Calzaghe are all mentally retarded. Their capacity for learning is somewhat limited.

Hopkins is the worst of the lot, by far.

[China_hand_Joe]

Hopkins' 'learning ability' is a result of his environment, not his genes.

[China_hand_Joe]

Hopkins is just an example of totally fullfilled potential, not an unbelievable talent.

[China_hand_Joe]

Originally Posted by jdp000109

Totally fullfiled potential due to talent

Just because he's not flashy doesn't mean he's not talented. Being smart is a talent, having great defense and ring generalship, being dedicated, and timing is also a talent. Just because he's not Roy Jones fast or a one punch KO artist don't forget everything else.

'Smartness' is almost entirely based on environment, not genetics. You could in theory train just about any baby in the world up to be a genius.

You cannot train them to have Joe Calzaghe muscluar composition and reflexes. You can train them a little, not to Calzaghe's level though.

[cardstars]

Leonard
Hagler
Duran
Mayweather
Ali

[cardstars]

Originally Posted by China_hand_Joe

Imagine the following scenario...

Hopkins, Lopez and Calzaghe are all mentally retarded. Their capacity for learning is somewhat limited.

Hopkins is the worst of the lot, by far.

LMAO you are taking this pretty far

[Alo2006]

Originally Posted by Marnoff

Jones, Leonard, Whitaker, Mayweather, Ali....

Based purely on "natural boxing talent" I would take this five.

Tyson, to me, required more training and repetition of techniques, whereas someone like Jones could do stuff that you could not train someone to do. Bernard Hopkins again learned his style by watching the past legends and perfecting it, so it wasn't necessarily a "natural ability" that helped him rise to the top, albeit anyone who reaches such a high level must have some ability to start with.

Tough to beat the five I've listed here for just "having it".

Those are my top five

[kg0208]

Jones, Curry, Hearns, Whitaker, Tyson on just natural ability.

[kg0208]

Let me also make mention of Wladamir Klitshco. His natural speed, power, technique, etc are awesome for not only a man of his size, but simply in general. You would be hard pressed to find a HW with faster hands than Wladamir....

And no I am not a Klitshco fan.