Who comes close to being a "perfect fighter?"

But therefore not perfect though, right? I think you were closer with SRL, he's a better pick IMO.

 

Yeah i made a typo. SRL was complete great chin fast hands, good defense, good movement great ring smarts other than the 1st Duran fight.

Yeah Hearns chin was a major let down. With that said I would pick very few maybe one or two in boxing history H2H that would could outbox hi. His boxing skills were sick when he used them. If he had a chin he'd be the perfect fighter hands down.

 

Can't argue with that.

From what I have seen of SRR on video he wouldn't be my pick, but I'm sure those who have seen him fight at 147 have a better impression of him than I do.

 

You could be right about Tommy with a chin. That would be a frightening combination for anyone - including any middleweight.

I actually thought SRL was ****ing brilliant in the first Duran fight! OK he lost, but for a supposed "boxer" he showed incredible infighting skills, chin, heart, and handspeed - a whole other side to his game. He would have thrashed many a great 'swarmer' that night. Unfortunately for him, he was facing one of the elite fighters of history in utterly rampant form.

 

Yeah at the end of the day although IMO Hearns was the better pure boxer of the two. It was only his chin that let him down.

 

I'm not saying Hopkins is a perfect fighter. However, the original comment was that he could do everything, and your response was "Yeah, sure he can :rofl." As I said in my original post, he didn't excel in as many areas as someone like Robinson or Duran, but he wasn't lacking in any area either, he could do everything, some things better than others, but that doesn't change the fact that he could do them.

 

Pep is an excellent choice as well. I can't believe I forgot about him?atsch although some might say not offensive enough but without a doubt one of the best ever.

 

Hearns was indeed one of the very very best boxers of all-time.

 

I find it irritating when people say "not offensive enough" about guys like Pep and Whitaker. These guys threw so many punches - how can that not be offensive?! They didn't have concussive power, but they were certainly offensive.

 

Ive always felt Bernard Hopkins from the Johnson fight, right up to the Trinidad fight was one of, if not THE most complete fighter Ive ever seen.

Think about it for a second. His ring intellect, ring generalship, footwork, movement, use of angles, accuracy, timing, chin and defense are among the best the sport has ever seen. And at that time, his stamina and workrate were both great as well. His power was above average, his strength was, is and always has been off the charts, his offensive variety was tremendous.

I really cannot think of one thing he did even ok at that point. Now much later, as he got older, he reinvented himself into a defensive minded fighter...one who would conserve his energy (sometimes too much). But there is no doubt in my mind that he is one of the most complete fighters Ive ever witnessed.

All of that said...my pick would be Sugar Ray Leonard. I think Pernell Whitaker's (my all time favorite fighter btw) lack of power rules him out of this discussion...moreso than Hopkins lack of speed does in fact.

 

He was brilliant as was Duran. But ultimately he fought the wrong fight against Duran the first time trying to prove something and paid for it.

 

I disagree with that mate, but that's a whole other story.

Anyway, SRL is a great pick on this thread IMO. :good

 

Hearns was actually an amazing boxer, brilliant, maybe not as complete as say Pep because Pep has a clear edge in defense, Tommy could be hit but his skills & offensive weaponry were A++, no doubt.

 

My picks are Whitaker, Duran, and Robinson. But, I believe this kid deserves a mention at least.

The videos shows his versatility and prowess in his prime. Great movement and defense, accuracy, countering, blazing speed, footwork notice at 2:14 of 2nd video, and most of all power!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBQc2lYEhBA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmbUZaTdNYM

 

I do as well and wouldn't say that about Pep or Pea. People always say that about great defensive fighters. Almost saying they were only good at one thing when it couldn't be further from the truth.:-(

I'd be interested in your opinion of these four fighters Benitez, Toney, McCallum and Arguello.