Underrated Defense

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Showstopper97, Apr 28, 2021.



  1. Showstopper97

    Showstopper97 The Icon Full Member

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    Name some fighters with underrated defense
    Some of mine are:
    Liston
    Frazier
    Cotto
    Pacquiao
    Marquez
     
  2. JackSilver

    JackSilver Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Tyson
    Hagler
    Mike Spinks
    Jones Jr.
     
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  3. Gazelle Punch

    Gazelle Punch Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Wlad
    Marciano
    To add to others already mentioned list
     
  4. Stiches Yarn

    Stiches Yarn Active Member Full Member

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    Tyson's defense are rated about right IMO. The extremly underrated thing about him was his stamina, in his prime he was no Frazier or Marciano but it was certainly better than foreman's and Morrison's
     
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  5. AwardedSteak863

    AwardedSteak863 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Joey Archer and Sven Ottke. Both of those guys were excellent outside fighters that had an understanding of dictating range. What the lacked in power they more than made up for in ring IQ and defensive ability. Neither man was ever knocked out and were very rarely hurt.
     
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  6. Young Terror

    Young Terror ★ Griselda ★ Full Member

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    Jake Lamotta.

    Most think of him as a punching bag when it comes to defense but he was far from it.
     
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  7. George forearm

    George forearm The forearm of George Full Member

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    Yea real annoying myth, I think most of it came from raging bull and just how good his chin was.
     
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  8. Blaxx

    Blaxx Member Full Member

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    Roberto Duran (though I think most people now acknowledge how beautiful his defense was)
    Sugar Ray Robinson and Joe Louis - they were very attacking but their defense was obviously also really good and embedded into their attack so that it's not so immediately noticeable. SRR used his footwork and athleticism more whereas Joe Louis parried very well and his textbook stance put him away from most danger.
    Jake La Motta
    Henry Armstrong

    Basically a lot of offensive minded boxers are type cast and their defensive nuances go under the radar
     
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  9. Showstopper97

    Showstopper97 The Icon Full Member

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    Benn
    Qawi
    Pryor (when he wanted to use it)
    Hamed (similar to Pryor)
    Calzaghe
    GGG
    Judah
    Hatton
     
  10. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Universal Classic Rule: If your favourite fighter is not known for their defence, they have an underrated defence.
     
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  11. mark ant

    mark ant Canelo was never athletic Full Member

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    Benn got hit a lot more at 160 than at 168, Eubank hit Benn a lot more in their first fight than in their rematch.
     
  12. Pugguy

    Pugguy Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Interesting to hear Chuvalo more or less imply that his own D was underrated - stating that he was mindful to keep his chin tucked and avoid punches to his vital points.

    I dunno. I’m not so sure I saw George execute this “subtle” D. While it might’ve been flattering to be afforded a great chin I think George might not have liked the idea of his being viewed as an immovable punching bag - so he wanted to insert some defensive “skill” into the equation.
     
  13. Pugguy

    Pugguy Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Ironically, Jack Johnson’s D was a bit overrated but might now be underrated.

    We see on film how much he held but I still think he employed a number of otherwise legit manoeuvres to avoid being hit.

    Of course he wasn’t dealing with multi punch combos coming at him so there’s a question mark as to how successful he would be against same.

    However he seemed to possess the fundamental and inborn, nuanced defensive abilities exhibited by great defensive fighters.

    Against mods. Johnson would definitely have to up the effort on his D in open fighting (eg - keep the hands up more, etc.) it’s all guess work but I think Jack had it in him to up the ante on his D in the face of greater offence and perhaps also understand that upping his own offence would constitute itself as an addition to his overall D also.
     
    Last edited: Dec 31, 2021
  14. JabbaTheGut

    JabbaTheGut Active Member Full Member

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    George Foreman when he was young parried punches very well
     
  15. OP_TheJawBreaker

    OP_TheJawBreaker NOBODY hit like that guy! Full Member

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    Bob Satterfield has underrated defense.
     
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