Back-to-the-ropes beasts

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Saintpat, Jul 23, 2017.


Page 1 of 4
  1. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    23,290
    26,435
    Jun 26, 2009
    Who were the best ever at fighting with their backs to the ropes?

    For most, it's a place to avoid. Many immediatley go into 'escape mode' the moment they feel the brush of the ropes against their backs.

    But some have been masters at dominating while fighting off the ropes. Here are a few off the top of my head:

    Muhammad Ali: Rope-a-dope king. He was able to block and absorb punishment while backed to the ropes, then bounce off with flashy combinations to win rounds.

    Roy Jones Jr.: Roy was comfortable in this position, and explosive in countering off the ropes. Also hard to hit there.

    Wilfred Benitez: El Radar had you exaclty where he wanted you if you backed him to the ropes. Or he'd voluntarily set up there himself. Could slip and counter all night from the ropes.

    Roberto Duran: Mostly thought of an aggressor, for good reason, but he could tear up an opponent while fighting from the ropes with short counters and solid defense. (See Duran-Palomino for a clinic.)

    Larry Holmes: Mostly a stick-and-move guy who was at his best working off the jab, but the Easton Assassin could be deadly when backed into a corner (see Mike Weaver) or setting up on the ropes to pick apart an opponent (Ray Mercer) when he chose to do so.

    Who else ya got?
     
    Saintpat, Jul 23, 2017
    Saintpat, Jul 23, 2017
    #1
    reznick and mrkoolkevin like this.
  2. Wass1985

    Wass1985 Boxing Junkie Full Member

    14,436
    2,839
    Feb 18, 2012
    James Toney........
     
    Wass1985, Jul 23, 2017
    Wass1985, Jul 23, 2017
    #2
    Eddie Ezzard, escudo and mrkoolkevin like this.
  3. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

    26,517
    17,558
    Apr 3, 2012
    Mayweather
     
    NoNeck, Jul 23, 2017
    NoNeck, Jul 23, 2017
    #3
    escudo, mrkoolkevin and Seamus like this.
  4. Perry

    Perry Boxing Junkie Full Member

    9,343
    1,535
    Apr 26, 2015
    Archie Moore
     
    Perry, Jul 23, 2017
    Perry, Jul 23, 2017
    #4
    escudo likes this.
  5. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

    38,042
    7,553
    Jul 28, 2004
    Carlos Monzon
     
    red cobra, Jul 23, 2017
    red cobra, Jul 23, 2017
    #5
  6. The Morlocks

    The Morlocks Boxing Junkie Full Member

    8,717
    8,939
    Nov 21, 2009
    FRANK FLETCHER. WAS AT ALL HIS EXCITING FIGHT IN A. C. IN LATE 1980-1983 AND HE WAS GREAT FIGHTING OFF THE ROPES. FLETCHER WAS SO EXCITING TO WATCH
     
    The Morlocks, Jul 23, 2017
    The Morlocks, Jul 23, 2017
    #6
    PhillyPhan69, Saintpat and Russell like this.
  7. Perry

    Perry Boxing Junkie Full Member

    9,343
    1,535
    Apr 26, 2015
    Fletcher was exciting but very low skilled middleweight.
     
    Perry, Jul 23, 2017
    Perry, Jul 23, 2017
    #7
  8. mrkoolkevin

    mrkoolkevin Never wrestle with pigs or argue with fools Full Member

    18,440
    9,574
    Jan 30, 2014
    First that came to mind.
     
    mrkoolkevin, Jul 23, 2017
    mrkoolkevin, Jul 23, 2017
    #8
    George Crowcroft likes this.
  9. The Morlocks

    The Morlocks Boxing Junkie Full Member

    8,717
    8,939
    Nov 21, 2009
    Well, Fletcher may not have had the GOD given talent, but he had the heart and ferocity to overcome those more talented and rise to No. 1 contender. And I tell you, I never got more for my buck in my life than I did going to Frank's fights. Never saw a more exciting FIGHTER, and oh, I stress the word fighter, live. FRANK WAS GREAT OFF THE ROPES
     
    The Morlocks, Jul 23, 2017
    The Morlocks, Jul 23, 2017
    #9
    roughdiamond, PhillyPhan69 and richdanahuff like this.
  10. Bulldog24

    Bulldog24 Boxing Junkie Full Member

    11,300
    4,156
    Aug 2, 2013
    Nigel Benn would come storming back as soon as his back touched a rope!
     
    Bulldog24, Jul 23, 2017
    Bulldog24, Jul 23, 2017
    #10
    lloydturnip likes this.
  11. PhillyPhan69

    PhillyPhan69 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    18,095
    15,563
    Dec 20, 2006
    Happy
    This content is protected
     
    PhillyPhan69, Jul 23, 2017
    PhillyPhan69, Jul 23, 2017
    #11
    roughdiamond and lloydturnip like this.
  12. PhillyPhan69

    PhillyPhan69 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    18,095
    15,563
    Dec 20, 2006
    The professor spent a great deal of time on the ropes and gave a good account of himself. I still think Fenech deserved the decision but Nelson's work was good enough to score a draw in the eyes of the judges
    This content is protected
     
    PhillyPhan69, Jul 23, 2017
    PhillyPhan69, Jul 23, 2017
    #12
    TBooze and Saintpat like this.
  13. PhillyPhan69

    PhillyPhan69 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    18,095
    15,563
    Dec 20, 2006
    IMHO B Hop was a master of using the ropes
     
    PhillyPhan69, Jul 23, 2017
    PhillyPhan69, Jul 23, 2017
    #13
    George Crowcroft likes this.
  14. Longhhorn71

    Longhhorn71 Boxing Junkie Full Member

    12,714
    3,455
    Jan 6, 2007
    Salvador Sanchez could fight off the ropes when necessary. Ask Wilfredo Gomez.
     
    Longhhorn71, Jul 23, 2017
    Longhhorn71, Jul 23, 2017
    #14
  15. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    23,290
    26,435
    Jun 26, 2009
    Never in a bad fight for sure. I envy you being there!
     
    Saintpat, Jul 23, 2017
    Saintpat, Jul 23, 2017
    #15
Page 1 of 4