Alright, so we've already had the Slick (AA) Style Appreciation Thread, so it's only natural to make another boxing style appreciation thread. This time, textbook boxing style. As you know, I'm a big admirer for textbook boxer-punchers. The term textbook boxing isn't easy to define but I'll try to explain to the best of my knowledge. Basically, fighters who fight by the book. Balanced stance, high guard, chin tucked in. Straight punches, thrown with correct movement (through feet, hips, shoulders, elbow etc) and carefully chosen punches/combinations.. Uses jab. Pretty much a fundamentally sound fighter who relies on the basics without relying on their speed and athleticism. Examples of Boxing 101: [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuymSM64vEA[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5uxEG2GiM0[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vd30SKv1d_o[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQrveIA838A[/ame] Retired boxers of the past who fought in textbook stance: Joe Louis Benny Leonard Harold Johnson Ricardo Lopez Donald Curry Alexis Arguello Winky Wright Vernon Forrest Past boxers who aren't in their prime but are still active: Juan Manuel Marquez Rafael Marquez Bernard Hopkins Erik Morales Marco Antonio Barrera Miguel Cotto Current boxers with solid fundamental: Andre Ward Mikkel Kessler Abner Mares Just off the top of my head. Please feel free to add more, or if you think I should re evaluate my list. Added: Salvador Sanchez Marvin Hagler Orlando Canizales Chris John Charley Burley Julio Cesar Chavez Evander Holyfield Alberto Davilia
Hagler for a textbook southpaw [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWwNtWs7Z08[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eptLKvqVw4[/ame]
Of my era Marquez and Hopkins stand out. They are not exactly the most athletically gifted in the world (although they are still above average) however their textbook style not only makes them very hard to beat, it also allows them to fight on for longer, where as someone who relies purely on athleticism wont have the skill set to continue when they slow down (View avatar for example of pure athletic fighter)
Nice shout out for Hagler. I see not a lot of people appreciate the art of Boxing 101, which is a shame. :-( Watching guys like JMM and Finito Lopez box by the book so elegantly is like watching art, poetry in motion. Fighters these days just don't look as asethetically pleasing anymore.
A bit of feeling out then a round a half of textbook schooling. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GuetcvGWGw[/ame]
Definitely my favorite style. Salvador Sanchez went from Brawler to a textbook style as did Barrera. To me a textbook style is the classic style of boxing that employs alittle bit of everything and the essentials like chin tucked in behind a left shoulder and right hand with a left foot lead never squared, and legs slightly bent to be ready to spring into action in any direction. These guys are usually apt in both long and short range. I think modern day textbook fighters are undeniably Marquez and Hopkins. But Kotelnik, Chris John, and Floyd strike me as textbook fighters just that Floyd is so athletically gifted and has a high ring IQ he seems unorthodox with his check left hook, lead rights, and shoulder roll, but Hopkins and Marquez dont always lead with a jab either. Kostya Tszyu, Greg Haugen, Ruben Castillo, and Miguel Angel Gonzales were pretty good textbook fighters.
Good mention of Ruben Castillo.He was a very good fighter around the time of his fights with Arguello and sanchez.
Why isn't Mayweather on that list? The only thing he does that isn't textbook, or isn't normally taught is the shoulder roll defense. "Far from it"? Really? :huh