Where does Ezzard Charles rank in history in terms of handspeed?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by SuzieQ49, Apr 18, 2011.

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  1. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    I think way up there. Charles' hands were lightning.
     
    SuzieQ49, Apr 18, 2011
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  2. Swarmer

    Swarmer Patrick Full Member

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    If we're talking the one we saw in the marshall fight? I'd say quite highly. The heavy version doesn't have that same hair-trigger dynamite.
     
    Swarmer, Apr 18, 2011
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  3. El Bujia

    El Bujia Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Not in any of the footage I've seen, barring perhaps the Marshall fight. He might warrant on honorable mention on the basis of that footage, otherwise I wouldn't give him a second thought. He never struck me as particularly fast, honestly. Not slow (until the latter parts of his career, anyway), but not very fast, either.
     
    El Bujia, Apr 18, 2011
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  4. Swarmer

    Swarmer Patrick Full Member

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    He does throw some sharp and ridiculously fast shots for the KOs and KD's we have of him on record though. The Wallace fight in particular has a couple right hands that are a blur.
     
    Swarmer, Apr 18, 2011
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  5. The Funny Man 7

    The Funny Man 7 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Somewhere between Jim Jeffries and Meldrick Taylor.
     
    The Funny Man 7, Apr 18, 2011
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  6. El Bujia

    El Bujia Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    You think so? That was one of the fights in particular that stood out of Charles's speed being anything but top notch. Maybe I'll have to rewatch it. I always thought it was a pretty **** fight, too.
     
    El Bujia, Apr 18, 2011
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  7. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    El Buija...go rewatch Charles finishing knockouts in the Valentino 1949, Oma 1950, Layne I 1951, and Renyolds 1952 fights. Eye Flashing top handspeed. If you want to watch full fights, watch valentino 1949 and Walcott I 1949 Rounds 14-15 on film to see Charles handspeed at its best. It slowed down after that, but I still thought it looked pretty fast up to 1954.

    Watch the way Charles throws long fluid fast left hooks one after one...just beautiful. His right hand, so fast, so crisp, so snake like the way it picks a target then lashes out with pinpoint accuracy.
     
    SuzieQ49, Apr 18, 2011
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  8. Swarmer

    Swarmer Patrick Full Member

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    I remember some real sharp cross counters in that one, but maybe I'm off? I'll watch it again.
     
    Swarmer, Apr 18, 2011
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  9. Senya13

    Senya13 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Average handspeed, nothing special.
     
    Senya13, Apr 18, 2011
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  10. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    :lol:
     
    SuzieQ49, Apr 18, 2011
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  11. lora

    lora Fighting Zapata Full Member

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    :lol::lol:
     
    lora, Apr 18, 2011
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  12. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvvYd_hNxBQ&feature=related[/ame]
     
    SuzieQ49, Apr 18, 2011
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  13. Steenalized

    Steenalized Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    :lol:
     
    Steenalized, Apr 18, 2011
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  14. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

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    The Marshall fight looks to be sped up by about double. Charles has decent speed but it isn't that impressive
     
    PowerPuncher, Apr 19, 2011
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  15. Boilermaker

    Boilermaker Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    How would you compare his handspeed to Ali, Tunney and Corbett?
     
    Boilermaker, Apr 19, 2011
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