Handspeed is the most overrated thing in boxing

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by tinman, Jul 30, 2018.


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  1. tinman

    tinman Loyal Member Full Member

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    Carlos Monzon and Alexis Arguello are as slow as can be.

    Lehlo Ledwaba was by far Manny Pacquiaos fastest opponent, but was the easiest notable fight of his career. A far slower Marquez gave Pacquiao much tougher fights.

    Tommy Hearns had the fastest hands of the fab 4. But you would struggle to find anybody who rates him over the other 3.

    Give me timing, good positioning and power all day long. It's very rare to find a great fighter with featherfists. I can think of Pernell Whitaker, Andre Ward and little else. And guys like that have to make it up for it with extreme skill levels.

    Almost all top level fighters usually hit harder than their opponents. Or at the very least have average power for their weight. The same cant be said of speed. Some excellent fighters have slow hands. We see it all the time.
     
    tinman, Jul 30, 2018
    tinman, Jul 30, 2018
    #1
  2. OpinionOfACasual

    OpinionOfACasual Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    Spence is a great example for me.

    He's not slow, but he's not a lightning fast puncher.


    Just incredible positioning and timing allows him to land so heavy and often.
     
    OpinionOfACasual, Jul 30, 2018
    OpinionOfACasual, Jul 30, 2018
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  3. Okin129

    Okin129 ... Full Member

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    When somebody thinks it's the most importang thing in boxing, then he is clearly overrating handspeed but it's
    a great addition to the skillset of an already fundamentally sound fighter and can make a big difference.
     
    Okin129, Jul 30, 2018
    Okin129, Jul 30, 2018
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  4. tinman

    tinman Loyal Member Full Member

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    It makes a small difference I think. But if the other guy has more power and better positioning then all the handspeed in the world will make little difference.
     
    tinman, Jul 30, 2018
    tinman, Jul 30, 2018
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  5. Okin129

    Okin129 ... Full Member

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    Generally it makes a small difference but it can make a big difference in certain situations like counterpunching or fighting against a slick opponent who is hard to hit clean but even in that situations things like reaction time and positioning are still more important.
     
    Okin129, Jul 30, 2018
    Okin129, Jul 30, 2018
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  6. tinman

    tinman Loyal Member Full Member

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    Remember Golvokin vs Monroe Jr.

    GGG is slow for a top level fighter. And Monroe is a featherfisted slick southpaw. A lot guys going into that fight were saying Monroe would be too slick and push GGG to the limit on the cards.

    But GGG had FAR more power, timing, and positioning. He cut the ring and timed him. And the fight was extremely easy for him.
     
    tinman, Jul 30, 2018
    tinman, Jul 30, 2018
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  7. Okin129

    Okin129 ... Full Member

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    Yes, GGG was far superior in almost everything, when things are equal it can make a difference but when you are
    fighting against a superior boxer it won't help you to win the fight, and when you have fast hands but no power
    like Amir Khan it doesn't make a difference like it does with someone like Corrie Sanders who overwhelmed his
    opponents with handspeed but also power which certainly made a difference for him, imagine Corrie Sanders without his handspeed and he wouldn't have been as dangerous anymore.
     
    Okin129, Jul 30, 2018
    Okin129, Jul 30, 2018
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  8. ashishwarrior

    ashishwarrior I'm vital ! Full Member

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    Your breaking Khan fans sole argument in boxing
    Timing beats speed



    but but them fast hands though
     
    ashishwarrior, Jul 30, 2018
    ashishwarrior, Jul 30, 2018
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  9. brown-bomber

    brown-bomber Member Full Member

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    Leonard had the fastest hands out of the fab 4.
     
    brown-bomber, Jul 30, 2018
    brown-bomber, Jul 30, 2018
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  10. J Jones

    J Jones Well-Known Member Full Member

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    To quote Roy Jones, “You must have forgot.”
     
    J Jones, Jul 30, 2018
    J Jones, Jul 30, 2018
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  11. BoxingABC1

    BoxingABC1 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    it sounds so cliche but timing really does typically beat speed
     
    BoxingABC1, Jul 30, 2018
    BoxingABC1, Jul 30, 2018
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  12. dinovelvet

    dinovelvet Antifanboi Full Member

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    Getting off on an opponent quicker then they can get off on you is one of the best advantages you can have in the ring.
    Handspeed is in no way overrated.
     
    dinovelvet, Jul 30, 2018
    dinovelvet, Jul 30, 2018
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  13. Octolony shore

    Octolony shore Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I'll take power, timing, punch resistance, stamina, footwork, heart, boxing intelligence, tough skin, nice shorts, boots with tassles on, basically anything over hand speed.
     
    Octolony shore, Jul 30, 2018
    Octolony shore, Jul 30, 2018
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  14. DoubleJab666

    DoubleJab666 Dot, dot, dot... Full Member

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    Hand speed is the cherry on the cake, but the cake itself is footwork - which is one key element of to timing imho. No point firing out combos the speed of a humming bird's wings if they hit thin air...
     
    DoubleJab666, Jul 30, 2018
    DoubleJab666, Jul 30, 2018
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  15. lepinthehood

    lepinthehood When I'm drinking you leave me well alone banned Full Member

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    Quick feet are often better.
     
    lepinthehood, Jul 30, 2018
    lepinthehood, Jul 30, 2018
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