John L Sullivan was a good natural athlete. I’d imagine about all the fighters who made it to the top were pretty good athletes though.
Good call with Wilder. As far as explosiveness and speed, he's one of the most gifted the heavyweight division has seen. Plus good stamina. I think CHEF said that Wilder was dunking the ball like a pro while he was in Wlad's camp. Wilder is definitely a better athlete than Joshua. Foreman was a freak, especially for boxing. Not much speed and reflexes, but was gifted with incredible strength and punching power, plus a great chin... Baer had a great punch and a helluva chin, no doubt, one of the most important gifts especially for a heavyweight...
Buster Douglas was a good athlete. Tall, long, very quick and fluid for a big man, carried the weight great... He played basketball in high school I think, probably had a good vertical jump also..
Great call with Bowe, although he didn't look muscular like Lewis or Wlad, he definitely had better boxing conditioning than these two... really impressive stamina for such a big guy. Ike Ibeabuchi also had unbelievable stamina for such a muscular body. Very strong but maybe a little overrated in terms of punching power, and not quite fast... but definitely a specimen.
Yea definitely a freak, when you think about it too bad he was born so early... he could have been a real monster had he had a good strength coach, nutrition etc...
The way he put his punches together was uncommon for a heavyweight his size. At one time if a guy was 6-5 or taller you sort of expected them to lose some coordination and balance. Bowe was unusual in that he not only threw punches and combos like a much smaller man he was also very adapt at fighting inside even at 6-5. Eddie Futch knew he had a jewel in Bowe and he got the most out of it. It`s a shame he didn't go down as one of the very greatest heavyweights in history.
Wilder has the balance and coordination of a newborn giraffe. Just because you are tall and long does not mean you are a great athlete.
Yes he did play basketball. His team won the Division 1 (biggest division) state championship in Ohio.
True but he is obviously explosive and fast... By NFL standards better athlete than Joshua or Klitschkos...