Most technically skilled fighter since Pernell Whitaker?

vote and discuss.

 

RJJ/Hopkins/Floyd/Pacquiao

All are more skilled than each other in different areas of their games, but a clear top 4 in terms of skill, ability and effectiveness.

From a purist p-o-v, I like peak Hopkins (97-01 IMO) best, but in reality I think peak Jones (94-97ish) was more effective, but peak Pacquiao (06-11) proved it against better comp and IMO had the best offence, while sfw Mayweather 98-01/02 was a special all-round fighter at his prime weight.

 

The reason I didn't include Toney is because I don't consider Toney "since Whitaker". I think they were contemporaries. OK, Toney hung around much longer, but Whitaker's peak was 1989-1994 and Toney's best performances were 1991-1994, so I wouldn't call Toney "since Whitaker", for me he was a product of those times too.

 

I voted Hopkins but I don't know, Calderon has to be up there!

 

I should have just done since the 90s and put the whole gang in there.

 

If were talking about technical skill, its got to be Mayweather. He has God given abilities but utilizes them in a defensive manner which attributes to his technical ability

Hopkins is not as lucky as Floyd, he too is technically sound but he had to learnt it from the basics rather than having that NATURAL talent. That isnt necessarily a bad thing (in fact thats a positive in many ways) But adding natural ability to a technical style edges it imo

 

Hopkins and Whitaker are actually the same age.

I'd say technically Hopkins is even better than Whitaker.

 

pacquiao has no skill worthy of being on this list. his defense is put your guard up and run, he can't jab, and all he has is a left straight or a right hook. he can't adjust as we saw in the mosley fight, and he HAS to fight slower fighters that are coming off of big losses to look good. his best skill is matchmaking.

 

hmm, 178 views but only 40 votes? should have put a white fighter on there to appease the Brits and Europeans

 

Rubbish. He relies more on head movement than his guard, and this has been the case for years. Even when he was still raw and basic he was employing a lot of bobbing and weaving. Of course he can jab -- most of the time he only lands his left-straight because he sets it up with a jab beforehand. It's not a flimsy, pawing jab either. His jab normally blinds or distracts the opponent before his rear hand comes flying in -- Shane found that out the hard way in his latest match. Is Pac's jab the best weapon in his arsenal? Of course not, but it's nothing to sneer at either. As for the Shane fight, it's true that Pac isn't the most versatile fighter, but if his account of leg cramping is true then I can understand why he looked a little less impressive than usual.

As for fighting slower fighters...it's very hard to avoid that when you have some of the fastest handspeed in the sport right now. He's literally in the top level of speed -- there are only a few who could match him in that department, and he can't fight two of them. (Khan doesn't want to divide Roach's loyalties, and Floyd has shown no interest in Pac since 2008.) He does have good matchmaking, but so do most people who are in the position to manoeuvre themselves in this way. Even so, don't forget that Pac utterly destroyed an All Time Great fighter in the form of Barrera, who wasn't coming off any loss and wasn't far from his prime.

None of the above means that I think Pac should be on the list in this thread, but I just wanted to comment on your harsh evaluation of him.

 

I wouldn't say RJJ is skilled. He is rather very atlethic gifted. He can (could) do things wrong and makes them turn out right!! Keeping your guard low, showboating, stick out your chin,... With age his physical ability detoriated, if he was skilled he should have a longer boxer's longevity like B-Hop (who wasn't the athletic gifted but he is a truly skilled master)

 

Mayweather is the correct answer, plain & simple.... the pacfucs might give ol Bernard a vote tho

 

Hopkins aint better at anything than Whitaker except longevity & probably the left hook.

 

I remember the first time I saw Tyson footage of him ducking almost to the ground
To avoid punches and in my opinion defensive wizardry an be just as exciting as
offensive. Anyway I would usually pick floyd jr but Hopkins especially at 46 really
Is a master of psychology and the art of boxing, I believe Hopkins's past also
contributes to his discipline and dedication. Floyd Jr is a genius though whether his
Technique is truly textbook or not. Once floyd figures somebody out its a boxing clinic

 

Floyd. Most boxing historians will agree as well. Hell Hopkins would say the same thing if he was asked.