What fighter's come closest to perfection?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by john garfield, Mar 16, 2009.


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  1. Stonehands89

    Stonehands89 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Everything and then some. His size helped because he could generate that leverage and power while presenting a lower center of gravity and a smaller target for those giants who he brought to hell. And his arms were deceptively long.
     
    Stonehands89, Mar 16, 2009
    Stonehands89, Mar 16, 2009
    #16
  2. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    He had plenty enough size for 147, where he'd a be a monster from a Miguel Cotto nightmare in today's pro ranks, 154, where he could reside as champion for about 30 years, 160, 168 and 175.
     
    McGrain, Mar 16, 2009
    McGrain, Mar 16, 2009
    #17
  3. El Puma

    El Puma between rage and serenity Full Member

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    Sweet Pea and Ricardo Lopez.
     
    El Puma, Mar 16, 2009
    El Puma, Mar 16, 2009
    #18
  4. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    I'm going to answer a different question, kinda, which fighters came closest to perfection for their style.

    Joe Frazier was close to perfection for a HW swarmer. Light at the weight, he didn't have a lot of excess to carry, which is important because at peak he was able to maintain an unparalleled work-rate, head-movement and, most importantly, speed-of-pressure combo. He had a feared and very straight forward primary weapon - his left - which forced certain patterns of movement upon his opponents - wheeling to their own left, closing distance on Frazier's own right hand side, rather than into the left - which helped to set up his right hand, which became a sneak-attack punch (see Thrilla in Manilla) where the punch may have been of less use.

    No fighter had more heart, no fighter had more durability, he could only be equalled, not bettered in these departments.

    Put all these together, and inspite of his weaknesses, most of which are givens due to his style, and you have something close to the perect HW swarmer.
     
    McGrain, Mar 16, 2009
    McGrain, Mar 16, 2009
    #19
  5. Black Eyes To You

    Black Eyes To You Alaskan Forever Full Member

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    SRR, RJJ, SRL, ALI, Michael Spinks
     
    Black Eyes To You, Mar 16, 2009
    Black Eyes To You, Mar 16, 2009
    #20
  6. Ischbaad

    Ischbaad Active Member Full Member

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    Pernell Whitaker. He was a master at everything. The perfect blend of offence and defence.
     
    Ischbaad, Mar 16, 2009
    Ischbaad, Mar 16, 2009
    #21
  7. djanders

    djanders Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Sugar Ray Robinson. In my opinion, he had it all...or as close as it gets!
     
    djanders, Mar 16, 2009
    djanders, Mar 16, 2009
    #22
  8. rekcutnevets

    rekcutnevets Black Sash Full Member

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    I have no qualms with anyone listed so far.

    To throw out a different name, Mike McCallum. McCallum was as great a technician at they come, had decent pop, countered excellently, great chin, and had the ability to face any style.
     
    rekcutnevets, Mar 16, 2009
    rekcutnevets, Mar 16, 2009
    #23
  9. Ted Spoon

    Ted Spoon Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Names being thrown everywhere, except the right one.

    Benny Leonard, at his weight, was just about impossible to unravel. He would throw down the gauntlet; that being to box him, and then he would attach his leash.

    Try to be cute, try to rough him up; there was always an escape route, a reply, a greater choice of movement, a smarter choice of punch and that dictating footwork, which crumbled game plans round by round.

    Robinson was not as cunning, Duran was not as measured, Pep’s delivery was not as true. Benny Leonard, at 135lbs, was the ultimate test.
     
    Ted Spoon, Mar 16, 2009
    Ted Spoon, Mar 16, 2009
    #24
  10. Sweet Pea

    Sweet Pea Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    He certainly got schooled by a slick moving defensive pure boxer in Sumbu Kalambay, and seemed to have his fair share of difficulties with the better slicksters. He was definitely a great stand-up boxer/puncher though.
     
    Sweet Pea, Mar 16, 2009
    Sweet Pea, Mar 16, 2009
    #25
  11. rekcutnevets

    rekcutnevets Black Sash Full Member

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    Schooled might be too strong a word. Kalambay won by scores of 116-115, 115-114, 118-114; and McCallum won a split decision in their rematch. Kallambay is the only blemish on McCallum's record until he reaches 35 years of age.
     
    rekcutnevets, Mar 16, 2009
    rekcutnevets, Mar 16, 2009
    #26
  12. Bummy Davis

    Bummy Davis Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Joe Louis, almost perfect as a power/counter puncher...the master of the 6 inch punch

    Marciano...almost the perfect swarmer of all time with added bonus of superpower

    SRR..boxer puncher...a master who fought all styles for the longest period of time and dominated

    Willie Pep...a little short on power but Pep had everthing else PLUS

    Duran...agressive boxer puncher

    SRL'''short career but fast hands and feet with power

    Archie Moore...great defence,slick and cagey...great power

    Ali...almost perfect as a big man boxer, fast feet and hands and movement

    ****ALL Around winner for almost perfect fighter...Ezzard Charles could box, punch...great counter puncher

    Joe Calzage...dont laugh he had the ability to rise to the occasion and beat some very good fighters with ring adaption...time will tell but Calzage's stock will rise...fast hands, power, good chin, good legs....
     
    Bummy Davis, Mar 16, 2009
    Bummy Davis, Mar 16, 2009
    #27
  13. WhataRock

    WhataRock Loyal Member Full Member

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    He got schooled...and Im a big fan of Mike.
     
    WhataRock, Mar 16, 2009
    WhataRock, Mar 16, 2009
    #28
  14. rekcutnevets

    rekcutnevets Black Sash Full Member

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    It would still be the only blemish on Mike's record until the age of 35. McCallum also went on to become a 175 lb. titlist, past the age of 35.
     
    rekcutnevets, Mar 16, 2009
    rekcutnevets, Mar 16, 2009
    #29
  15. WhataRock

    WhataRock Loyal Member Full Member

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    He is a great great fighter and one of my favorites. But I couldnt say he embodies perfection honestly.

    Perhaps it was sometimes he flaws which made him so good to watch...Either way I just loved everything about his style when he was at his best.
     
    WhataRock, Mar 16, 2009
    WhataRock, Mar 16, 2009
    #30
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