Who IYO Is The Most Complete Fighter That Ever Lived?

Ezzard Charles

 

When he first came along, I had a horrible fear that Naseem Hamed might just be that. I know that sounds stupid now but this was a 20 year old who had toyed at will with the European champion Belcastro. And as you look down McVey's criteria, he ticked them one by one.

Defence - if he didn't want his opponent to hit him, they weren't going to. Offence - he landed power punches at will with either hand. Speed, agility, vicious power, apparently undentable self belief. I was begging for a flaw to appear with every fight but as the opponents got better the level of domination stayed the same.

Thankfully, the arrogant little sod couldn't maintain the standards he was setting and he fizzled out although not as quickly as I had hoped. As his opposition moved on from excellent British level fighters (Robinson, Hardy) to slightly faded world class (Johnson, Kelley) cracks started to appear. He ultimately didn't tick the criteria in the second half of McVey's list. But for a time he seemed to me to be, if not the most complete fighter in terms of having everything a boxer could have, certainly the most brilliant with the skills and attributes he did have.

 

Off the top of my head
Holmes
Charles
Robinson
Leonard
Duran
Monzon
Chavez sr
H. Johnson
Hagler
Ross
Sanchez

 

Duran
Robinson
Hearns , I was uber impressed when he showed his skills against Leonard .

 

holyfield or robinson

 

Easy, Sugar Ray Leonard.

 

Evander Holyfield Cruiser or Heavy.

 

Chavez was a great boxer, but he didn't have really good footspeed or handspeed.

 

1. SRR
2. Jack Johnson

 

I like this criteria, my arch enemy. I really do.

 

Easily Donald Curry.

 

It's SRR but after that it opens up.

Marvin Hagler loses out for me based on adaptability (or lack of) and ability to think in the ring.

SRL is right up there, dazzling speed, excellent power, durability, adaptability and a whole range of skills.

Ezzard Charles is way up there at 175.

Duran is a very complete fighter at 135.

Wilfred Gomez really should have been mentioned long before now.

Eder Jofre too, great all round fighter.

On a lesser note i always feel Michael Spinks and Sandy Saddler are stronger all round than many realise. Spinks looked awkward and herky jerky but gee he was effective. He held off Qawi mostly with his left hand and handily outpointed him. He could also BOMB and was possibly the most underrated defensive fighter of his era.

 

Benny Leonard deserves a mention.

 

Footspeed???? Chavez = One of the greatest ever at closing off the ring.

 

I don't think foot speed is especially important if you have good spatial awareness and timing.....