Fighter Responsible for the Misconception that Lot of Movement = GREAT Footwork?

Footwork comprises a lot of things. Pacquiao and Ali don't just move around a lot . There's a reason they move the way they do , and they aren't even comparable anyway.

The same can be said for a Joe Louis or Floyd.

 

Aye, flashy/showy footwork doesn't necessarily mean great footwork but it doesn't necessarily mean there's no substance there either.

Both Ali and Pac had great footwork.

 

Pac doesnt have good footwork.

He has great attacking movements with his legs getting him into range but side to side, creating angles, or general balance his feet arent great imo

 

What do you mean by a lot of movement? Speed of movement?

 

First you'd better define your term.

IMO, "great footwork" has to be divided into two separate categories: Offensive & defensive. Many fighters have one but not the other.

Great offensive footwork means you are able to easily get within punching range, whenever you want to, without being off-balance, and in the proper position to fully support the punch. It also means that you don't WASTE movement, so that you don't gas out in the later rounds.

Defensive footwork, well we all know what that means. But again, you must still not be out of position to counter with good support, and you must not waste too much energy.

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One fighter that immediately comes to mind as having perfect offensive footwork, but not the best defensive, is Golovkin.

A fighter who seems to have better defensive footwork than offensive is (and I know I'll get slammed for this, but only by those that DKSAB) Deontay Wilder.

Another "recently on the radar" fighter who has both, IMO, is Sergei Kovalev.

- one might also name Floyd & Ward, but that would be too easy. Plus, Floyd really wastes a lot of energy. He makes up for this by being in insanely good condition, but still ...

SRR might have been the ultimate example. Maybe also Whitaker.

 

Bump.

This could be a good thread.

Any more thoughts?

 

Pac got quick feet but he DOES NOT have good footwork. He is off balance a lot and he doesn't move laterally that well. Fighters like Ali, SRL, And Floyd have very good balance and able to move in all direction on a dime and still be in position to punch.

 

True people do tend to think that a lot of movement = great footwork, theres different kinds thoough like Alis was there to be able to hit and move out of range, but guys like Willie Pep it was just unbelievable, and Wilfred Benitez had great movement but it was mostly upperbody he didnt need to use his feet as much hed just lay on the ropes dodging punches for days

 

Mike Tyson shows lots of head movement and apparently he's a dancer:

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Agreed. Ali was liberal but still effective with his footwork. Few controlled the center better.

Manny has been able to get the angle on all of his opponents not named Marquez because of his footwork. It's not just fast, but it's designed to create space for him to step rightwards and setting up his left straight and subsequent combinations.

To be honest, I think Leonard might be at fault. Even though his footwork was mostly an efficient circular rhythm when on the defensive and a textbook offensive motion behind the jab, two of his most famous fights involve him prancing around the ring in a negative fashion. He stopped an uncoordinated, bloated Duran by running (in a fight that ended up close on points), and made Hagler chase him for all of 12 rounds in a very impressive comeback. Given he was Ali's successor and the attention he got, particularly because of those two fights, people began equating SRL with a negative, defensive movement style, and started equating excessive movement with ATG footwork.

I could see Ali setting precedent though. Manny was never as defensive with his control of distance like Ali was, and his shuffle couldn't hold a candle to Muhammad's.

 

Rigondeaux is the best right now i think. And this about Pacquiao being off balance all the time, who isn't off balance when they are chasing, punching with intention and missing? Also Pacquiao alot of times likes to fall in after a punch as a defensive maneuver, not because he can't control himself.

 

Louis was a mummy. Mayweather had and still has great footwork.

 

Ricardo Lopez is a perfect example to show kids, as is Hopkins who controls the pace and distance wonderfully despite his age. Mickey Garcia has solid foot work too.