Fancy Footwork

Is this more or less a lost art? Particularly at the heavier weights. It seems watching film from the first half of the last century (post-Gentleman Jim, pre-Louisville Lip) that even the largest bodies bounced around gracefully on their toes, and were able to maintain full mobility and agility into late rounds without sacrificing balance or the ability to dig their heels and put starch on their punches. Modern era heavyweights (and even down the line a ways...at least into super middle) just don't seem to have that "cushion of air" under their feet. Even the best footwork displayed today is basically still plodding, it's just well-placed plodding that's thought out a moment or two in advance (say, Klitschko) rather than just stumbling instinctively in a given direction (say, Briggs).

The thing that gets me is that these big men nowadays actually get winded barely lifting their feet off the ground (indeed, almost shuffling in slow motion) for 12 rounds or less, focusing most of their energy on the upper-body (throwing and slipping punches) - whereas champions bygone would literally stay on their toes such that they were able to effect leaping, strafing dodges deep into a fight (instead of just slipping, which seems to have been popularized and revolutionized a great deal in the latter day era) and still not appear to expend any less energy with their upper bodies than their successive counterparts.

Is this a product of stylistic/coaching trends or laziness/decreased athleticism on the part of the newer school?

 

Even Ali (especially post-suspension, but before as well) with his floating didn't quite have the "bunny-hop" of prior generations. There's probably something to be said for McGrain's point - that the old-school heavies were more like LHW/Cruiserweights, but modern prizefighters just seem so much less sprightly on average. That's not to say that there hasn't been progression and innovation in other aspects of the game, but footwork seems to have taken a backward step, if you'll pardon the turn of phrase.

 

Right when I typed the word "bunny-hop", Manny started doing his roadrunner dance in my mind's eye. :thumbsup

 

But look back even further...at even an old Jou Louis, and the footwork - at least superficially - appears to be even better than most of the 70's guys. :huh

 

Why do you think so much emphasis has been taken away over the years from twinkletoeing? Is it that the "bit of perfecting" would eat up valuable time that trainers deem better spent on other skills? There are many recent heavyweights who could probably benefit greatly from improved lower-body coordination. Like if you could create some kind of centaurish creature that was David Tua from the waist up but an All-Star NBA point guard from the waist down...:scaredas: