Marlon Starling was a highly skilled boxer and arguably the best defensive fighter in the 80`s

Talking rubbish. Very good fighter but certainly not the best defensive fighter of the 80s.

 

No, he was a very good fighter but as the lad above says, rubbish.

 

Who's the best? Toney?

 

He was active at the time of both prime Benitez and Whitaker.

 

Just asking his view. You'd be surprised that some would say Toney. Starling had very technically sound defense though.

 

Pernell hands down.

 

Marlon was right up there with the best defensive boxers. Had a very nice style.

 

He was one of the best defenders IMO. The best defensive fighters of the 80s were Benitez, Zapata, Lora, Kalambay, and Starling. Whitaker came along in the late 80s to early 90s but I guess he counts.

Starling had impressive boxing skills and defensive abilities. Just a shame that he, just like most defensive genius, was a hot and cold fighter without keeping it consistent.

 

In the GGG-Nunn thread?

I liked the posts claiming that GGG has as good of a resume as Leonard and Hagler

 

Pun intended?

 

It was quite an era for defensive boxers, but the argument could be made that Starling had a better run throughout the entirety of the 80s decade than any of the other contenders.

Benitez was at his best for half the decade, if that. Same for Whitaker, Lora and Kalambay. Zapata would be my choice, even though he was done by the end of the decade. Starling went strong for the duration.

 

Add Carlos Zarate to your list and we're good. Or is that who you meant with Zapata?

 

I meant Hilario Zapata. Carlos Zarate was purely an offensive fighter, not a defensive fighter at all, nor was he a top fighter in the 80s.

 

Well I don't agree but OK with Zapata.