Best at controlling distance.

Calzaghe actually trained in pretty rough conditions when he was younger - wrapped his own hands trained with massive gloves etc. I think from his book he blames his hand conditions on these years at this decrepit facility

But he made it work for him. To me he was actually a LH who found it easy to drain down to super middle. He walk around weight was much higher than super middle- he didn't look much physically but he was very strong look at the lacy fight and how he bullied lacy around the ring. He also had phenomal hand speed and while not evey shot was clean he would mix in some that really hurt. Again round 9 lacy being torn apart in the corner then takes a huge left hook that visibility rocks and hurts him.

couple that speed with massive work rate and stamina and good boxing brain and he was a match for anyone

 

Plenty of great fighters hit no harder than Calzaghe. Look at Locche.

Most did it with much better technique however, and that's where you end up stunning opponents your opponents if you're a mild puncher.

Calzaghe was more of of a student the Maxie Rosenbloom school of slapping.

 

Watch George Groves when he fought Degale

 

As far as the active fighters- Rigo should be at the top. In fact, I think his fellow Cuban Erislandy Lara is also elite at controlling the distance as well.

 

The Superb One™

 

Love watching footage of Lionel fight... In top 3 top to fight out of this country, number 1 from this country in my eyes...

 

The thread asked best at controlling distance , not who was the best at clinching.

 

Too bad he burned out early. I should watch the documentary. Seems like an interesting story.

 

he's good at that as well. His massive strength means you don't hit Wlad in a clinch.

 

Controlling the distance means guys can't get anywhere near you. Wlad was useless at controlling distance. The two fights with Peter , Povetkin and pretty much everybody else proved that.

 

Nope, controlling distance means you win and don't take punches. I don't recall Povetkin landing much on him, and defo not Peter2.


Are you simple minded?

 

Keeping a guy at range is controlling the distance. Peter and Povetkin were two of he worst clinch fests in the history of the sport.
If you can't keep a slow , plodding bum with terrible stamina like Peter on the outside then you are useless at controlling distance.
Vitali was good at it. Peter never once entered his wheel house and Vitali never had to clinch once.
Ydksab. Not an iota. .

 

Too many to list but the first thought I had was Kovalev. That little stutter step forward and backward is really what his offense is built around