Fights wherefootwork made the difference, and didn't get the credit

Miguel Cotto vs. Antonio Margarito

This fight, in reality, came down to footwork. Cotto was throwing shots on the backfoot, in retreat, getting no leverage and solid base. As such, his shots, while fast and flashy, clearly generated no substantial force. Rather than stay on the balls of his feet while on the move, ready to suddenly plant and let it go, he walked almost directly backwards, and was thus unprepared to fire, and unprepared to get hit, losing balancing and taking shots with his neck when he was. Margarito didn't cut the ring very well, but he was very dogged, and when he planted his feet, he threw might tremendous leverage; Watch Margarito's feet during the combinations he throws where he does tremendous damage, they are perfectly positioned, and he is using his legs to generate tremendous power when he throws.

 

George Foreman vs Kenny Norton. Ring seemed like such a small place.

How do you view the whole Margarito handwraps thing? Big advantage, overstated? You have this kind of inside look that I really, really like. Best poster on the forum bar none for my money.

 

In Vegas, they supervise the hell out wrapping hands. Have a hard time believing he got away with concrete in Vegas.

For my money, the fight came down to one guy getting leverage on his shots and advancing while having a base under him, and another guy spending himself retreating like he was running backwards(Tiring when one does it for 30 minutes) while not getting much power behind what he was throwing back.

Cotto did a MUCH better job in the rematch of keeping his feet under him. Generated much better force, spent less energy, actually clinched some.

 

I'm actually glad to hear that. I thought Margarito fought a really determined fight, and it's great not to feel ambivalent about the reasons for his performance.

 

Bonavena-Chuvalo. Oscar, for all his technical flaws, at least had a "plan B"..somewhat like Gene Fullmer. I think he was effective as hell with his footwork here...and had the brains to fight the way he did, instead of the way he usually did. And I do think he deserved that decision...(sigh)...and I think that one of those trips to the canvas suffered by George was a legit kd.

 

Chavez-Whitaker and Pacquiao-Marquez III.

 

Groves - Degale.

Groves isn't really seen as a guy with top footwork but he absolutely befuddled James for the first half of that fight.

 

Louis vs Conn II

 

ABSOLUTELY.

So dependent is Junior on leverage from a firmly rooted base, that he refuses to throw punches when he doesn't have his feet planted.

All Martinez had to do was use his supreme lateral circling and avoid the ropes, and little Chavez stopped punching. The 11th and 12th rounds, for my money, looked like Martinez fatiguing and getting lazy, and finally stalling on the ropes. I saw Junior making no adjustment worth noting.

Martinez moved so much, throw so many sharp punches, he must have been exhausted.

 

I thought DeGale easily won the fight.

I am now going to watch it again and pay attention to the feet.

 

As of one very few DeGale fans this is the best post I've read all day

 

I just saw him land the harder shots and really come on.

Merits a rewatch, though.

 

I need to rewatch it, haven't been able to watch it since I saw it live. I don't like seeing my favourites lose, close fight or not...

 

Always thought Marquez's footwork was verlooked when beating Pacquiao, he was often giving up having his lead foot on the outside, allowing a nice straight jab down the middle, then stepping his foot on the outside and launching that right hand.

 

This is the best, most recent example. Bravo.