:think What do you think? Two different but at the same time very imposing jabs that are considered among the best of the modern boxing era. Vernon's is very formidable due to his physical dimensions. He towered over most of his opponents, with the majority of his work revolving around his ramrod lead that he could throw at the head, shoulders, chest and body with equal aplomb. He could break a fighters rhytym with it(see Mosley bouts) and control the pace and tempo of the fight at the same time. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0xqJlScl6I&feature=related[/ame] Bazooka possesses a mind-numbing, powerful jab that he was able to snap out with consistency. Such was his expertise at throwing the jab he became an abundantly difficult fighter to dissuade throughout the fight. A jab that gave De La Hoya all kinds of hell in a fight that many felt he deserved, and a jab that single-handedly stopped Jung-Oh Park with unbelieveable supremecy when displaying one solitary punch. Tossed from the elbow, a shot that could literally beat a fighter into submission. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf8MPeGUXBA[/ame] Two masterful exponents of the jab, but who's is superior?
I prefer Quartey's. Mainly because I think if he had Forrest's attributes it would be near insurmountable.
I'd also side with Ike. I think it's an interesting topic all the same, as I've seen lots of people insinuate that Forrest had the best of the era. When you see a somewhat awkward guy like Mayorga be able to kind of de-rail Forrest's rhytym drastically and as a result render his jab not so effective it makes me question if he had that immense of a jab. It is a shot that also tended to fade a bit down the stretch. Quartey had a jab that gave every style of fighter a huge degree of difficulty, whereas a certain style of fighter could give Forrest's jab a heap of trouble.
That was part of my thinking too I must admit. Now of course it is hard when a mad ****er like Mayorga who doesn't care about getting hit bumrushes you, but you do kind of expect more success than that with the jab. Plus Forrest just paniced though. I feel like Ike's was a little more discouraging.
Forrest was very much open to hit around the sides of his guard, and a guy with wild punches like Mayorga was able to exploit that to that full(probably subconsciously, hardly the brainiest of fighters), which seemed to cause Forrest to mentally unravel in a way, hence not getting his jab working. Which is I suppose one criteria, the ability to impose that jab, in which case a box ticked for Ike again.
I've said all this before. But Forrest. Due to his dimensions. Obviously Ike deserves credit for being able to pop in and out with his stature, but Forrest, when in a comfortable rhythm, was hard to take out of his stride. But yes, looping hooks=Land regularly and Forrest is ****ed. Mayorga was obviously an awkward, horrible styles clash for him. Quartey was a quality fighter, but didn't really do much other than give DLH a good fight. Forrest proved his jab at the highest level (in winning performances against a quality operator) Thoughts on 2nd Mosley-Forrest fight lads? I felt Forrest looked as ragged as he ever had.
Quartey. As TFFP said his jab was more discouraging than Forrest's. Admittedly Forrest fought more reckless fighters like Mayorga who were able to exploit his weaknesses against lunging hooks, whereas Quartey liked to pin the opponent down. The two punches that seem lost to this generation of fighters is a dominant jab and the uppercut, both as a result of the amateurs. The jab because it never gets scored, and the uppercut because your opponent generally gropes you just as you're set to let it go.
Is that not part of the criteria(if you will) in a way though Flea? Forrest could only really get full effect from his jab when he had a comfortable, fluent rhytym going for him, whick Quartey never really required? I mean, I know quality of opposition comes into it, but I feel as though we wouldn't be talking about Vernon's jab being as good to the extent we do if not for his range, whereas Ike, without having the privilege of having those aforementioned dimensions could still, was still able to bludgeon opponents with solely the jab. I think it's closer than certain people may think, but I'd still go with Bazooka's if I'm honest.
I'm a big fan of the Quartey jab, odviously Vernon has the reach but I would pick Ike every time. To me Vernons jab was used more for keeping the distance to set up other punches. While Ike used his as more of a weapon, a fast powerful jab which could stop anyone in there tracks. IMO