In a street fight, Lee probably could have destroyed most of the world's leading professional boxers. I say this because Lee was a karate expert...he would kicked them in the groin, or something like that. But actual athletic competion in a boxing ring against the world's best boxing talent is another matter altogether.
Chuck Norris considered him his martial arts superior. Chuck was middleweight karate world champ from memory.
I think the real question here should be, how would Lee have done as a kickboxer? This would be far less a drastic transition from a discline that involved a lot of leg work, to one that used none at all. I think Lee could have been a world champion kickboxer...
A topic like this and no one posts the video of Lee demonstrating his punching on a heavy bag? Here: [yt]BluUhcEvPtI[/yt] I'm not impressed, personally. Sloppy technique, low guard, little regard for any kind of head movement or general defense, and more 'pushing' than actual punching. One thing is for certain, though -- he had a lot of raw talent, especially in the speed department, and he apparently had the reach of a 6 footer. A good trainer might have made something special out of him. Then again, we have no clue how good his chin was. Oh, and yes, Lee was a massive fan of Ali, and he absolutely adored his fights, especially the Cleveland Williams one. Since Lee was a southpaw, he would watch Ali's footwork in the mirror and try to replicate it from his own stance.
God only knows, if him. You know the old expression, "If your aunt had a ____ she'd be your uncle." Bruce Lee though, incredible handspeed, ferocious concentration, I think he was quoted to say, "The best style is no style."
Bruce Lee & Jeet-Kune Do = Today's MMA (It's the best of all genres of Standup mixed with Grappling) Find your nitch and train in a lil' of everything else. Lee was decades ahead of his time. R.I.P. he was much more than a great actor, give him respect. Bruce was a huge boxing fan, huge on Ali. The jab was an essential part of his style.
I think he could have been a good boxer if he had chosen to make boxing his profession instead of making movies. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying that he would just be able to walk in to a boxing ring and be champion, but if he put in the work nesscary he could have been real good.
Who knows really? I'd be more curious about his performance in MMA or kick-boxing than regular boxing.
Which would make it quite good. We all know that Charlie was passed his prime, and yet was still able to stand up to the withering assault of Kid Thunder. Similar to Ali/Holmes. So we can't hold that stoppage against him.
Fair points. Many martial artists are not great in combat matches simply because they are used to quick endings and not being hit. I once saw a karate vs boxing duel on TV, and the boxers won every time because the karate men did not know how to defend himself or react in the ring. They also gassed in the end of the third round. I can address Lee's atheltic ability. Lee was a fantastic athlete with limber limbs. Though Lee stood about 5'7, he had extremely long arms, equivalent to a man of 6 feet tall. Lee weighted about 135 pounds, yet for his size he had great weight room and body strength. Lee was perhaps the quickest striker I ever saw on film. I think he was faster than Ali. Lee was an athelte for certain. Lee is filmed hitting a boxing bag. It was average if you ask me. Lee wrote a bit about boxing. Lee felt the hook was more of a counter shot then lead shot. Lee liked the mobility part of boxing, while he loathed the stationary style of karate IMO, if Lee trained for boxing he could have been a raked lightweight. I reckon Lee would be a quick-footed jabber / counter punching type with long arms, and great feinting ability. Stamina and the ability to take it in the ring would be unknowns of coruse, but power is not a major factor at lightweight in general.