Bernard Hopkins, Floyd Mayweather, and Manny Pacquiao are three that come to mind. Me including Pacquiao might raise some eyebrows, but believe me, it takes some skill to pull off some of the **** he does.
Defence and counterpunching is usually what people mean by "skillful." They'll say it ain't so but it is. Yes, Pacquaio is the total package, offence requires as much skill as defense. Straight punches, effective jabs, in and out footwork, power punches and how to utilize them to receive the most effective results, these should also be taken into consideration, but sadly they aren't. People don't think DLH was that skillful nowadays but watch how he sets up and launches and turns his whole body into that much TNT behind a left hook/uppercut. That **** is technique!
Bute is very skilled offensively...He is so precise and crisp with his punches and have every punch in the bag...Especially a great left uppercut to the liver...:yepgood
Andre Ward' dominating show fightin Edison Miranda was 36 minutes of pure skill. - Lateral movement - In-fighting - Boxing at distance when really needing to - Ducking and weaving - General ring savvy A very impressive show of boxing skill.
The best pure boxers out there right now are Mayweather, Dawson, Ward, Pac, Mosley and Bute. I also think Wlad has become a superb technician.
- David Haye showed signs against Valuev that he will now show increasing amounts of skill in his fights. - He displayed great versatility against Valuev. - He is not simply a KO artist. He has other attributes he can rely on.
Hopkins, Mayweather, Dawson, Pacquiao, Mosley, Martirosyan, both Klits, and both Marquez bros. Ward and Bute on their A games.