Most Technically Perfect Boxers

I would say of this era, Hopkins is the best technical boxer I've seen, followed by Ricardo Lopez, then Floyd, then Marquez.

 

Again why I'd like to see Fernandez-Davis, Jr. The only running Vilomar was doing in that one was directly at Howard from the opening bell, and he got CBS's designated network star on the deck. The one time Fernandez did not run away in a major bout, he got screwed out of the decision.

 

As I said eralier, judging by the film of his fight against Billy Smith, he was very much dependent of his physical abilitites. He leaps in with jabs, for one thing, and that is not sound technique. He also crosses his feet, keeps his hand by his waist and in general does the things you'd expect from a natural rather than a well schooled technician.

 

Its been a while since I watched it, you could be right. But if you look at the debate between Stonehands and Senya on this thread, you see them debating on the knockout loss to Tarver, with Senya saying the punch was lucky and Stonehands arguing Jones' lack of technical grounding led him into a dangerous situation.

When I watched the footage I don't remember Burley leading himself into any dangerous situations, like Jones did and many other physical talents did. So I'd say he was technically sound, just not in the conventional way.

I'll probably have to view the footage again, bearing in mind your observations. Your generally very good, and thorough, at picking out weaknesses or mistakes by fighters.

 

Funny that Ali is my favourite, isn't it?:smoke

Anyhow, I think it helps that I'm 36 and mostly sparring with younger fitter guys. That really gives you a feel of what kind of things you should try and avoid since you just don't have the legs/stamina to get away with them. Fighting like Burley does in that film would kill me within a round. If I had the tactical and technical ability of Hopkins on the other hand, I'd be able to beat up much stronger guys without breaking a sweat.

 

I think Burley's technical ability amplified his physical talent without compromising technical soundness. So yeh, anyone non-Burley would struggle to do it.

 

Don't worry, I'm not going to argue his case for any inclusion on an ATG list but Felix Sturm is a very over looked guy when it comes to displaying excellent technical awareness.

 

Benny Leonard.

 

I think McCallum is the technically and tactically best fighter I've ever seen. That he could hang with a prime Roy Jones at near 40 without looking silly is just amazing. In the same vein, Archie Moore should be mentioned.

 

For whatever it's worth, Mike used footage of Robinson as material for training and inspiration, and was utterly entranced by how Robby threw punches in combination. (To this day, he'd probably wax poetic about SRR if asked.)

 

Not surprising, but very interesting anyhow. Robinson was a fantastic puncher in every sense of the word.

 

Ricardo Lopez. If i'm teaching a kid, that's who i'm showing him.

 

In that final televised win of Fernandez's I saw, when he moved in, it was always behind the jab. Again, this was a boxer with a 59 inch reach, but his quickness, timing and execution were so impeccable that he was effective using it as a weapon on offense as well as defense. Kenty, at 5'11" had a reach of 72 inches, Davis, Jr. had a reach of 72-1/2 inches, and Arguello's was reported to be anywhere from 72 to 74 inches, yet VF had success with all from outside. (Duran's reach was 66 inches for the curious.) It doesn't matter how short the reach is. If proper instruction and execution are applied, virtually anybody can make use of a well cultivated jab, even with a wingspan under 60 inches. It would not surprise me though if Vilomar had the shortest reach of any world class stylist.

 

Lol...59" HAS to be the shortest...even amongst the tiniest strawweight, minimumweights or whatever they call those ridiculously tiny divisions.

 

Ricardo Lopez always the first to come to mind.