Who comes close to being a "perfect fighter?"

Tell me one of his flaws.

 

At his peak, he was a magnificent middleweight. He had it all. He would not be outclassed or dominated by anyone who has ever fought at 160, not Hagler, not Monzon and not Robinson. Maybe he is the level below the likes of Whitaker, Leonard and Duran, but only one level below if anything.

 

Roy Jones Jr?

 

Jones beat Hopkins reasonably comfortably in 1993. Hopkins's peak was 2001. Put peak Hopkins in with the best mw version of Jones, and you would see a far closer fight. Hopkins would definitely not be dominated or outclassed.

 

One level below is enough to rule him out of this thread tho to be fair.

 

Yeah, I would go along with that mate, you're right enough. This thread is about perfection after all.

I'm guessing you are championing Pep on this one?

 

I think a perfect fighter is one who has mastered all the aspects of the game. As opposed to those guys who are just athletically gifted. Hopkins knows all the tricks, can fight at any range. He can box, or he can brawl. His dedication, work ethic and mastery of boxing skills has allowed him to compete at an elite level and he's approaching his mid-forties.

 

But was he as good as Pernell Whitaker?

I am a huge Hopkins fan, but for me he has to be a little behind guys like Pea and SRL.

 

Every fighter has flaws.

Hopkins had average speed & power.
His combination punching was not on the same level as some of his other attributes either, Im not saying he couldnt throw combo`s but we have to be picky here, we`re looking for the man closest to being a perfect fighter.

 

In no order
Finito Lopez
Pea Whitaker
Ali
SRR

 

How would you guys rate SRL and Hearns? I think SRL has a shot

 

Hearns was an incredible fighter, but for me he is ruled out of this one right away. The perfect fighter must have a serious chin IMO, and in all fairness Tommy's was a definite weakness.

I see you just mistyped and meant to say Leonard. Yeah, I'd agree with you mate. SRL is as good a pick as any. Maybe the most complete fighter ever?

 

Pea is a tough one. Because a lot of what he did was so wrong, but he had the reflexes to pull it off.
Leonard was pretty close to perfect. I always thought SRL was like Ali, if Ali ever bothered to learn to box. Leonard had a very solid mastery of the sweet science that he could combine with his natural speed and reflexes.

 

Hearns was a fantastic boxer and outboxed SRL for a large part of their first fight. He had a great jab and true one-shot power of course his biggest weakness was his chin other than that almost perfect.

 

I think Pep is the greatest boxer in the pure boxing sense, hitting without being hit but I went for Robinson, his ability to fight inside, mid range, from distance, on the backfoot, side to side, huge heart, great chin, fantastic longevity, hand & footspeed & the clincher, that 2 handed KO power, normally someone with SRRs style of fighting wouldnt be that hard of a puncher but he had dynamite in both gloves.

He really had no weaknesses & did everything well, as close to perfect as you can get as an overall fighter.