Fighters that were way ahead of their time

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Golden_Feather99, May 13, 2019.

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  1. Golden_Feather99

    Golden_Feather99 Active Member Full Member

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    I'll start with Gene Tunney. In his fights against Dempsey, Tunney showed brilliant footwork, an educated jab, and great combination-punching. His movement in particular was remarkable since he was a heavyweight at the time. He was almost impossible to cut off, Dempsey couldn't pin him against the ropes. Dempsey-Tunney I took place in 1926.

    Another great example would be Muhammad Ali (turned pro in 1960). Ali wasn't small either. He was 6'3 and weighed about 215 lbs in his prime. If Ali was fighting today (same style), he'd still be considered ahead of his time. Maybe?

    Let's try and stick with fighters who have fight footage available.
     
    Golden_Feather99, May 13, 2019
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  2. emallini

    emallini Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

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    Burley
     
    emallini, May 13, 2019
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  3. KasimirKid

    KasimirKid Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Mike Gibbons, Sam Langford
     
    KasimirKid, May 13, 2019
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  4. Golden_Feather99

    Golden_Feather99 Active Member Full Member

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    Idk about Langford tbh. He fought similar to other greats from that era. His accomplishments on the other hand are unlike anyone from that era.

    I've never seen Mike Gibbons fight. I'll check him out though.
     
    Golden_Feather99, May 13, 2019
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  5. KasimirKid

    KasimirKid Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I'd be interested to read what you think about Gibbons. The available fights are with Packey McFarland and Mike O'Dowd.

    Langford fought with an ease and natural style that bellied the textbook approach of the era. He used distance rather than a high guard as his primary means of defense. He leveraged his punches from either side. He was wily. He invited leads and was a great counter-puncher. The available fights are with Bill Lang, Joe Jeannette, and Fireman Jim Flynn.
     
    Last edited: May 13, 2019
    KasimirKid, May 13, 2019
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  6. Balder

    Balder Well-Known Member banned Full Member

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    Marciano. He retired on top. Something that took decades for another champion to do.
     
    Balder, May 13, 2019
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  7. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

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    I'm assuming he means style wise. I could be wrong though.
     
    robert ungurean, May 13, 2019
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  8. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

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    Dempsey was ahead of his time. No Heavyweight fought like that befor him.
     
    robert ungurean, May 13, 2019
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  9. surfinghb

    surfinghb Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I would say Packey was ahead of his time … Gans as well
     
    surfinghb, May 13, 2019
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  10. Saad54

    Saad54 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Willie Pep, Ray Robinson, Muhammad Ali.
     
    Saad54, May 14, 2019
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  11. mark ant

    mark ant Canelo was never athletic Full Member

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    He had underrated skills also.
     
    mark ant, May 14, 2019
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  12. mark ant

    mark ant Canelo was never athletic Full Member

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    Pep`s moves are even still used in MMA fights today, it`s mentioned on this study:
    This content is protected
     
    mark ant, May 14, 2019
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  13. roughdiamond

    roughdiamond Ridin' the rails... Full Member

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    roughdiamond, May 14, 2019
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  14. mark ant

    mark ant Canelo was never athletic Full Member

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    On this study it is mentioned that Walcott`s baiting tactics keeping his hands low and setting traps is even used by some elite fighters in today`s game:
    This content is protected
     
    mark ant, May 14, 2019
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  15. BitPlayerVesti

    BitPlayerVesti Boxing Drunkie Full Member

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    Kind of impossible to prove either way, since we don't have footage of the guys before him who'd be most comparable like Sullivan.
     
    BitPlayerVesti, May 14, 2019
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