Ali: best reflexes and most elusive footwork Jack Johnson: excellent all - around defense Byrd: remarkable, beating a KO monster like Tua was amazing, but the losses to Wlad hurt his defense - legacy Vitali Klitschko: stiff - looking but effective and consistent. Very hard to hit clean, was never outlanded in a fight, not even when he lost. Sure, many would laugh at mentioning him in a list that mentions Ali, but I don't see Vitali being knocked down by Henry Cooper or Frazier.
Vitali wouldn't of taken that left hook from Frazier. No way. I'm surprised Ali even got up from that.
Frazier would have never landed that hook on Vitali, no fighter under 6'4 ever landed good flush power shots on him. Besides, Lennox hit harder than Frazier and didn't put Vitali down...cuts don't come from power or a bad chin.
I think Joe Frazier has a shot here. "Best defense" isn't just about that one skill, it's about you combine it with your offense. It's not just about avoiding the most punches, but also getting your shots in. So, for that reason, I think Frazier is a good shot. He was hard to hit flush in his prime. Even Ali, with his incredibly fast hands in 1971, struggled to land flush. The 5th round where Frazier mocks Ali, is something not one other boxer in history could do. So I'd say Frazier. I think his defense gets underrated because of how good his offense was and people ignore his defensive skills, much like Henry Armstrong or Roberto Duran, plus all but one of his defining fights were post-prime when injuries hindered his bob and weave defense. At his best though and without back injuries, his defense was outstanding.
Really? I am a big fan of Frazier, how could anyone not like him. But Lennox Lewis would easily dominate him and in the era of supersized HW's, Frazier would not be as great as he was. Vitali never fought anyone as short as Frazier and is very efficient at using his height.