Pep, Whitaker, SRL, Floyd - Boxing ability, who takes it ?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Bill Butcher, Oct 22, 2011.


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  1. Bill Butcher

    Bill Butcher Erik`El Terrible`Morales Full Member

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    No doubt whatsoever that Willie Pep, Ray Leonard, Pernell Whitaker & Floyd Mayweather are amongst the finest boxers thats ever lived if you are going by straight up technique, each man was a virtuoso of his own era... but who was that bit better than the rest ?

    My vote goes to Willie Pep, he had IMO the best footwork in history, 1 of the best jabs, excellent combination puncher, superb feints, amazing ability to duck punches, spin an opponent around & make him look like a complete amateur, Willie could infight as well but usually just tied a man in the clinch & got his distance again, he was impossible to outbox from distance & always seemed to be 2 or 3 steps ahead of his opponent.... pure poetry in motion.


    http://youtu.be/2a_wt60Wn9M

    Willie Pep, probably the best pure boxer in history :good
     
    Bill Butcher, Oct 22, 2011
    Bill Butcher, Oct 22, 2011
    #1
  2. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

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    Skill wise

    Whitaker
    Mayweather
    Pep
    Leonard

    Although I think Leonard maybe the best because of his power/strength/combinations
     
    PowerPuncher, Oct 22, 2011
    PowerPuncher, Oct 22, 2011
    #2
  3. Vano-Irons

    Vano-Irons Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    Yup I agree. Pep is the best on this list. But I would also incorporate Duran and Benetiz on this debate. Duran had very subtle defensive skills, and is the most talented and pure boxer on history for me.

    But Pep takes this debate.

    Pep
    Pea
    Ray Lenoard
    Mayweather

    In that order
     
    Vano-Irons, Oct 22, 2011
    Vano-Irons, Oct 22, 2011
    #3
  4. lora

    lora Fighting Zapata Full Member

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    Watanabe
     
    lora, Oct 22, 2011
    lora, Oct 22, 2011
    #4
  5. Bill Butcher

    Bill Butcher Erik`El Terrible`Morales Full Member

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    For you maybe but to me Pep is a much better pure boxer than Duran.

    Ps. I thought of Benitez but I remembered how Leonard outboxed him for 15 rds so I thought Ray was a better choice.
     
    Bill Butcher, Oct 22, 2011
    Bill Butcher, Oct 22, 2011
    #5
  6. Vano-Irons

    Vano-Irons Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    I dont think Pep is a better 'pure boxer'. He is better defensively, but Duran was a great defensive master in his own right (a slight turn of the head, stepping in and out half a foot to make opponents not hit him clean). Plus he was better offensively than Pep which has to count for something as boxing is a mixture of attack and defence.
     
    Vano-Irons, Oct 22, 2011
    Vano-Irons, Oct 22, 2011
    #6
  7. Garrus

    Garrus Big Boss 1935-2014 Full Member

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    Who that
     
    Garrus, Oct 22, 2011
    Garrus, Oct 22, 2011
    #7
  8. gregluland

    gregluland Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Even though Willie is your avatar...... I'm with you all the way on this one,,,... Pep's ability and speed was utterly jawdropping.
     
    gregluland, Oct 22, 2011
    gregluland, Oct 22, 2011
    #8
  9. bodhi

    bodhi Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Pep
    Whitaker
    Mayweather
    Leonard

    Leonard still is the best of the lot though.
     
    bodhi, Oct 24, 2011
    bodhi, Oct 24, 2011
    #9
  10. teeto

    teeto Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    Pep for boxing ability

    Whitaker for being a complete fighter
     
    teeto, Oct 24, 2011
    teeto, Oct 24, 2011
    #10
  11. MagnaNasakki

    MagnaNasakki Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Its between Pep and Whitaker. Different skill sets.

    Pep defended a lot more with his legs than Pea did. When he was determined and on form, all the film suggest it was truly like catching a ghost. Pea could box on the move, but it wasn't his forte. Edge Pep.

    Whitaker has the best head movement in boxing history. Enough said.

    I find little to seperate them in my measures of boxing ability. Great jab, great technique, utilization of gifts and comfort zones, footwork, and leverage.

    Pep and Whitaker are the winners. I don't think there is enough to seperate them. Every time I see an edge for one, the other has an answer for it.

    Both should serve as absolute models for how to be incredibly successful in the ring if you aren't wired as a puncher in there to stop opponents.
     
    MagnaNasakki, Oct 24, 2011
    MagnaNasakki, Oct 24, 2011
    #11
  12. TAC602

    TAC602 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Whitaker
    Pep
    Leonard
    Mayweather
     
    TAC602, Oct 24, 2011
    TAC602, Oct 24, 2011
    #12
  13. DonBoxer

    DonBoxer The Lion! Full Member

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    I think Floyd has the most technical boxing ability of the 4. Leonard has the best offense by far with Whitaker having the best defense, i would rate his defense as better than Peps.

    The way Floyd combines his defense and offense is what makes me inclined to choose him.
     
    DonBoxer, Oct 24, 2011
    DonBoxer, Oct 24, 2011
    #13
  14. Bill Butcher

    Bill Butcher Erik`El Terrible`Morales Full Member

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    Pep had a great offense as well tho, its just his defense was so good that this is what we usually talk about when discussing Pep.
     
    Bill Butcher, Oct 24, 2011
    Bill Butcher, Oct 24, 2011
    #14
  15. Bill Butcher

    Bill Butcher Erik`El Terrible`Morales Full Member

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    Boxing ability....
    Pep
    Whitaker
    Mayweather/Leonard


    Greatest fighters....
    Pep
    Leonard
    Whitaker
    Mayweather
     
    Bill Butcher, Oct 24, 2011
    Bill Butcher, Oct 24, 2011
    #15
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