Name the best orthodox defensive boxers to ever live

It's Floyd Mayweather and James Toney, then everyone else

 

Jesus—-I thought this was just best defensive boxers and missed that part—Thsnks

 

Sanchez's D wasn't terrible or anything, but Pedroza would have been a better choice if you were looking for elusive featherweights from the 80's.

 

For those not really mentioned, shoutout to Roberto Duran, Miguel Canto, Happy Lora, George Benton, Johnny Famechon, Sumbu Kalambay, and Marlon Starling

 

Floyd, Iron Mike.

 

Yeah. Ate damn a lot and was not good at all, expect durability and good chin plus being under King.

 

I always found JMM to be excellent defensively on the inside. He did get hit a lot because of his aggressive style. He wasn’t the traditional flashy, make you look stupid defensive genius because of his toe to toe style. But he was fantastic at making you miss on the inside and then making you pay for it.

 

benny leonard while, having a punch was considered a defensive master in his time. should be included on this list.

must include henry armstrong too. holding three belts in different weight classes at the same time? had to avoid those heavier punches from the naturally larger and heavier men!

 

Excellent inside defense on the inside is Chavez with slips and parries. I don’t see Marquez with that.

 

Haven't seen McCallum mentioned yet. He was as defensively sound as anyone. Never KOED ever in 250 amauter and 50+ pro fights.

 

Errr. yes , you are completely right and my response was not thought out properly . keep well.

 

Ali needs to be in there. I'm more impressed by higher weight class fighters with great defense because 1 punch from a hard hitting LHW or HW and you're screwed.

 

He beat Foreman. If Foreman landed a single flush power shot Ali was toast.

 

If he hit him flush to the head - no doubt about it. Foreman was mostly connecting to Ali's body and arms. And, yes, you have to give credit to Ali for that because he was doing his usual rope-a-dope - but also throwing straights at Foreman's face which was making George more cautious.

OK you've convinced me. Being the superb ring tactician that he was - Ali remained hard enough to hurt long enough in his career that I would put him on my list, too. But behind Whitaker and Toney for sure.

 

Pea was better than Ali in defense.