Best head movement in boxing history?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by grantsorenson, Jan 24, 2026.


  1. grantsorenson

    grantsorenson Active Member Full Member

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    I nominate Salvador Sanchez.

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  2. Fireman Fred

    Fireman Fred Active Member Full Member

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    Salvador was amazing but Eusebio Pedroza hasn´t far behind:
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  3. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

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    I like Fraziers head movement the best
     
  4. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    I too think Frazier had outstanding head movement. Defo the best at great HW though i'd give Sonny Liston a wee shout too.

    My favourite though, is Roman Gonzalez. There is pitiful little information about his head movement on the internet which is unfair because for this century he's the gold standard I say. What it took me ages to realise is that those dips he does, up until the last couple of years of his pro career, those were selected, he wasn't doing them as part of a network of arbitrary head movement, he was selecting them, and using them to open the opponent up, it's lovely stuff. Anyway, here's a wee video if you fast forwards to about 4:10, this guy does about the best job, and his mashing it in with the active high guard (active) is very well observed. Good stuff.

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    And here's a wee video that popped up in my sidebar about how he acheives this:

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  5. Greg Price99

    Greg Price99 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I enjoy watching Locche, feet planted, arms by his side, body still, slip multiple punches by moving his head mere inches -
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  6. George Crowcroft

    George Crowcroft He Who Saw The Deep Full Member

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    Has to be Zapata and Whitaker imo. Only two guys I've ever seen roll under hooks to the body. Better defensive radars than almost anyone, the full suite of technical and proper ways of doing things but a bit more creative, flexible and spontaneous than guys like Floyd, Locche and Pep.
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    Speaking of Pep, though. He's one of the few guys who routinely moves his head in the opposite direction of his feet to avoid punches. It's so weird.
     
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  7. George Crowcroft

    George Crowcroft He Who Saw The Deep Full Member

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    Carmen Basilio has incredible head movement too, very underrated.
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  8. OddR

    OddR Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Probably someone in the lighter divisions but I always like a young Mike Tyson's head movement.
     
  9. BoxingIQ

    BoxingIQ Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Wilfred Benitez anyone?
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  10. White Bomber

    White Bomber Boxing Addict Full Member

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    by a mile. Reason being cause he wasted the least amount of energy and movement to defend.
     
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  11. George Crowcroft

    George Crowcroft He Who Saw The Deep Full Member

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    I don't know if anyone here likes Muay Thai too, but Lerdsila is a defensive phenom to match any in boxing, even without liking the sport for whatever reasons you may have, this highlight is masterful.

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  12. Ice8Cold

    Ice8Cold The Hype Job Spotter. Full Member

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    Pernell Whittaker deserves a mention.
     
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  13. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Peak Benitez was the first to come to mind. He had "radar is his eyes".
     
  14. Flash24

    Flash24 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    While all the fighters mentioned Rightfully deserved to be.
    Let's look at some fighters that were aggressive, yet extremely hard to hit cleanly....
    # 1 Roberto Duràn simply brilliant head movement, no less of ATG'S than Ray Leonard and Marvin Hagler gave testimony to this fact
    #2 Hammerin Hank Armstrong.
    His key was riding and smothering opponents punches, not giving opponents room to get any real power on shots
    #3 Marvin Hagler, not only did he have a chin made of granite, at his best (1980- 84) was extremely hard to hit cleanly.
    #4 Wilfredo Gomez:
    Before he discovered he had devastating power, he was a excellent boxer with great defensive skills/ head movement.
    #5 Ray Leonard
    Could get reckless at times ( Duràn in Montreal, And Kalule) but he was a defensive savant when he wanted to be.
    #6 Ali and #7 Tyson in their primes, slipped and countered with the best of them, especially in the heavyweight division.
    #8 Dwight Qawi ,for a very short light heavyweight was extremely hard to hit cleanly. And usually was able to out jab his opponents.
    #9 Prime Joe Frazier
    The epitome of head movement. Perpetual motion.
    #10
    Alexis Arguello while known for his technical skills and power, had excellent head and upper body movement. Especially when considering his Foot speed was average at best..
    #11 Roy Jones Jr.
    Extreme athleticism disguised as a boxer. At his best almost impossible to land clean shots on.
    But when he lost that athleticism, he looked very, very, very average.
     
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2026
  15. Mandela2039

    Mandela2039 OFFICIAL THREAD DIDDLER banned Full Member

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    The answer to every question with the basis of "Who has the best" in boxing terms is Roberto Duran

    it's always Duran.