Best defensive fighter

I go with, The Bible, The Radar, Wilfred Benitez. He made guys miss by half an inch without seeming to do anything.

Mayweather Jr., Toney, and Hopkins are all very good defensive fighters but maybe a notch below Locche, Pep, Whitaker, Canto, and Benitez IMO.

 

The top three defensive fighters in no order. And I think the vast majority of the regulars on here would agree that they could justifiably be placed in any order, even though those regulars might have their own fixed three in order.


Willie Pep
Pernell Whitaker
Nicolino Locche

 

Benny Leonard was one of the greatest, pre 1930's.

 

1. Nicolino Locche
2. Wilfred Benitez
3. Pernell Whitaker
4. Willie Pep
5. Miguel Canto

I would have Zapata next then Mayweather Jr, Toney, Hopkins and Walcott all great defensive fighters.

 

That could certainly be argued in terms of overall effectiveness.

On the other hand, I think Locche was better than probably anyone I've seen in terms of overall defense from a technical aspect. I actually hold him in higher esteem because of the fact that he was so stationary and was still able to be so successful. He could slip, roll, deflect, and catch punches as well or better than any fighter I've ever seen, and what made him all the more impressive was the fact that he was able to do it all while within range, in the pocket, on the ropes, backed in the corners, etc.

The primary reason you rate Locche lower in this category is the primary reason I rate him higher, in other words. Benitez generally used more movement, but was similar in the center of the ring in that sense, except that he relied mainly on parrying and slipping rather than blocking, catching, etc.

P.S. Cervantes beat Locche by cuts stoppage in the rematch, whereas Locche shut Cervantes out over 15 rounds on all 3 judge's scorecards in their first bout, though unfortunately I don't believe the footage is available, and that's a shame. He's a guy I badly wish there were more footage of.

 

I can't narrow it down to three personally.There have been at least ten truly great defensive fighters imo....and often what seperates those men in terms of overall greatness was the other tools and differing mentalities they possessed.

 

Whitaker, simply because I have not seen enough of Locche or Pep to comment on their abilities.

 

Yeah, but I just highlighted the fact that he was probably the greatest during that time. And he was also one of the greatest defensive boxers ever. I personally think Leonard set the standards for many that came after him, including Pep. It's hard to put him up there with others who there is more footage of to view. Defense is something that must be judged with the eye, rather than written accounts of historians. To be be precise as can be anyway.

 

The only thing that keeps Zapata out of a list like this is his inconsistency, caused more due to mental issues than anything else. At his best, he was possibly the best I've ever seen purely in terms of avoiding punches, from pretty much any distance.

On another note, good to see Canto recognized, as he'd be in my top 5. Kinda reminded me of a much more mobile, and more offensively active version of Locche, not quite as reliant on defense but possessing brilliant defensive abilities.

Why not throw Kalambay into the mix when talking about great technical defensive fighters? Among ring generals/movers he was the best I've seen in the MW division.

 

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=SPkh4t1XU30

That's sweet scientists highlight of zapata for anyone interested in him.

 

Which ones impressed you the most at their best?

 

Oh my, that is amazing.

 

Just all the usual suspects really Sweet.Most of the names i mentioned in my best defensive fighters by weightclass thread on that forum Bull invited me to.I agreed with most of Sweet scientists additions to it as well.

Happy Lora is a great defensive fighter that no one ever mentions for one.He was a headcase like zapata and quite similar in style, with a lot of Benitez-esque moves thrown in as well.

I long championed Kalambay and Canto as great defensive fighters but in recent years they have got a lot more respect(especially Canto), so i've kind of moved on to zapata, who i think everyone interested in unique defensive stylists needs to have a few fights of in their collection.