Most Technically Perfect Boxers

Can't imagine Fernandez having a 59 inch reach. New York Times had his reach 4 inches shorter than Howard Davis, and Davis had a 72 inch reach. It's listed at 59 against Hilmer Kenty though, but it could be an error. McCallum's listed reach went anywhere from 71 inches to 78 so you have to take it with a grain of salt.

 

59" is a bit hard to believe...it would seem that Vilomar would look a bit deformed with arms that short.

 

He couldn't pass the short arm inspection in the Navy !

 

Ricardo Lopez was the first one who came to mind; invariably high hands, piston-jab, economic, neat and clever combinations all brought together with lovely footwork.

 

Arguello
Louis
Pep
Sanchez
Mayweather

Spring to mind

 

To me, they always did look awfully short, so it wasn't a statistic I was inclined to question much. I figured his quickness was enhanced by his short reach somewhat. At 65 to 66 inches tall, a 59 inch reach would be somewhat proportionally inverse to Liston's 84 inch reach at just over 72 inches tall. (I've seen a reach of 62 inches listed for Vilomar as well. In any event, it seems to me that his wingspan was less than his height. It happens.)

 

Orriray, I did mention him but many do not think of him as a great technician, as he was slightly unorthodox. I'd love to hear Stonehands views on this issue.

 

Here, another very good and familiar friend chimes in with his own views and analysis concerning Burley, penned a half dozen years back. (At this time, Burley-OBS II had not been so widely viewed as today.) The comparison of Burley to Cerdan with respect to not getting hit is particularly intriguing, representative of what makes his output such a treasure to read. (Just ignore john garfield's comment on last September's "Three Boxing Personalities Over For Dinner" thread that the writer of the Burley piece is "a dip****." Garfield has no respect for his elders!):

http://www.thesweetscience.com/news/articles/2602-it-wasn-t-so-much-charley-burley-s-color