Who was the best trainer?

What are your criteria?

 

Jack Blackburn

He died young but he had a couple of world champions in the lighter divisions before Joe Louis came along. Ray Arcel was the only person ever allowed in Blackburn's private training sessions with Louis. "He was a great trainer" Arcel didn't throw that compliment around carelessly. Blackburn drilled perfection into Louis and the end result is he developed the greatest left hand the game has ever seen.

 

I voted for Eddie Futch as he is the ultimate trainer in my humble opinion. However, I easily would have had George Benton on this list before a couple of the others that are on there. He knew boxing like few others ever did or ever will.

 

The way that I look at this question, is who was lucky enough to get preternatural talents, and who was turning sh1t into gold.

We might see great fighters as being comparable, because the end products are comparable, but the raw materials often weren't.

For example we might not be talking about Rocky Joe Louis, if he had not had a good trainer, while Muhammad Ali would probably have been great even if Moneyman had trained him.

 

He was basically Muhammad Ali's most dangerous opponent!

 

Based on what your saying Charlie Goldman deserves a look. In Marciano he had a very willing and determined pupil. At the same time he was always gonna be limited. Goldman's work could be the gold standard.

 

This thread has been done many times, it all depends on your taste and favorite fighter. there is no wrong answer.

 

Eddie Futch had the ability to analyse opponents strengths and weaknesses and devise a strategy for his fighter to nullify the former and exploit the latter.
He takes top billing for me.
There have been many wonderful teachers of the art some celebrated and some long forgotten. Like Harry Lenny for example.

 

Freddie Brown and Bill Miller did as much for there fighters development as the guys you listed.

 

Is this for me?
I havent excluded any names just given my own preference for the top spot.
Doc Robb
Bill Gore
Ray Arcel
Jack Blackburn
Freddie Roach
Jackie McCoy
Manny Steward
George Benton
Manny Seamon
Charlie Goldman
Eddie Thomas
Harry Wiley
All fine trainers as are several Latino guys whose names always escape me.
There is no wrong answer ,all any of us can do is name our own favourite,and that is what I've done.

 

No that wasn’t for you it was for the OP I’d tag or quote you. Though being a longtime user before the quote and tag feature was implemented I understand. Those are all fine choices, yes.

 

There are many aspects of being a trainer. You have some trainers who are excellent teachers. They may be able to bring a complete novice up to being a competent professional. It may not make headlines but it takes patience and wisdom by the coach.
Others maybe are better at coming along and tweaking the style of a championship caliber boxer ( Manny Steward). Some may be great strategically brilliant in spotting weaknesses of an opponent. ( Eddie Futch). Others maybe great in the corner on fight nite (Angelo Dundee). Instilling confidence in a fighter at the moment of truth. Seeing and hearing everything and doing anything to help his charge win.
The you have some who were great motivators ( Teddy Atlas) or ( Whitey Bimstein). A Freddie Brown may of had more knowledge than anyone but could his boxers hear him when the **** hit the fan?
Being a physiologist is also part of it. (Ray Arcel) to Larry Holmes "don't let this bum take your title!!!". During the Cooney fight. Arcel had to almost sing lullabies to some of his boxers when they were going in to face Joe Louis. They were scared to death. Arcel stayed with Barney Ross 3 days after his beating at the hands of Armstrong. Wouldn't even let his wife see him but they made sure he was OK. When Roberto Duran quit in New Orleans Ray Arcel was the only one who attended the postfight hearing to hold up Duran's purse. Why? "Because he was my fighter when he arrived, he was my fighter during the fight and he'll be my fighter until he gets on the plane and leaves"
Old School.