Obscure boxers that are fun to watch/skillful

The first ones I think of are, unfortunately, fighters of whom a very limited amount of video exists. But maybe they’d be less obscure if we had more of them to see.

Also, what do we mean by obscure? Odds are nearly anyone you could name except a club fighter local to your area is known by at least some of this forum, but I went with a slightly broader definition to include guys who aren’t widely remembered by most outside of our little hardcore corner of the boxing internet.

Anyway, here goes:

Shig Fukuyama, who bounced back and forth between LA and Japan. Fought ‘em all in the featherweight range during his time and was always in a battle (often a bloody one). You can find his fights against Danny Lopez and a young Sean O’Grady, but that might be it.

John LoCicero, a New York middleweight, was an exciting puncher with a go-for-broke style who had very heavy hands, especially his overhand right and his left hook. AFAIK, only his slugfest vs. Caveman Lee is out there, although I’d swear I’ve seen his destruction of TV star/boxer Tony Danza before.

Adolfo Viruet fought at and around welterweight and not very frequently for reasons that remain obscure (he turned down a lot of fights and a lot of fighters turned him down); a spoiler type who was almost impossible to look good against given his crab-like stance and being a lefty. His outings vs. Ray Leonard and Donald Curry may be the only two available.

 

I’ll add Vilomar Fernandez, a splendid Dominican who split a pair of fights with Alexis Arguello, took Roberto Duran into the 13th in a lightweight title challenge and also beat Ray Lampkin and Monroe Brooks. He arguably deserved a decision in a loss to Howard Davis where he uncharacteristically got off the back foot and played the aggressor, knocking Howard down.

Love watching this guy. He also lost a competitive (but entirely fair) decision to Hilmer Kenty in his other lightweight title challenge.

 

Ian Napa. Very cute technician with almost zero power. Fought like a mini Mayweather and Toney and came up short many times. Great boxer to watch.

 

I really liked Harold Brazier. He started late but achieved a decent amount of success, had well over 100 fights. And it was primarily because he dedicated himself to being as technically sound as he could be. His fights with Kevin Pompey were great fights.
And you can put Pompey on the list as well. Solid fighter, but too prone to get into brawls and too easy to hit. He too often put himself into situations where his lack of pop in his punches worked against him.

 

I think Saoul Mamby made it to the point that he doesn’t quite qualify for this thread, but I’m going to mention him anyway.

Real cutie, sound technician, durable and game as all get-out. Can’t get enough of the guy.

 

Travis 'Freight Train' Walker. Not super obscure nor "skilled" in the traditional sense but really fun to watch. Big guy, good pop, fast hands, long punches. Not great cardio, put himself in horrible positions and would often take one to give one and fall apart. Made great fights vs. Arreola and Adamek--hurt both of them badly and could have KOd them both. Ended up stopping Kali Meehan in an upset.

 

If you haven't seen Walker v Leapai, you're in for a treat. I was in Travis' corner in that one, the Meehan fight and his bout on Prizefighter in the UK. Really nice guy and always brought it. Value for money each and every time, win lose or draw.

 

Alberto Dávila is an underrated favorite. Really skilled and pretty technician who falls short against the very best but is still a very good fighter. He’s been involved in some great scraps such as Enrique Sanchez and his rematches with Lupe Pintor and Frankie Duarte. Always enjoyed watching Tweety’s fights.

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Brazier’s fight against Roger Mayweather is also a great back and forth war.

 

I was just going to respond with Mamby. Dude fought into his 50's (and once in his 60's) at all levels including the highest, and he never had power to rely on. But he knew the game like no one.

 

Eijiro Murata. Has draws against Lupe Pintor and Jeff Chandler (whom he fought three times). I remember in the first Chandler bout he shows a skilled and somewhat awkward style.

Ted Cheeseman was a domestic fighter I really enjoyed watching. He had some epic wars.