What fighters absolutely excelled at fighting at close quarters? My first choice is Armstrong...my second choice is Stanley Ketchel! Regardless, of what most people think of the Papke film, I'm of the opinion it is an inside fighting masterpiece by Ketchel....Under those rules, with that many rounds to fight (20), Ketchel is a beast, and very tough to beat.
What are a few good fights of his that show this?(Not that I don't believe you, but I'm just looking to watch the master work)
Armstrong is very good, partly because of the leverage at this range, but could be susceptable to uppercuts, he was smart enough to slide to the. Ketchell - no not a skilled in fighter, I don't see it Duran deserves a mention, as does Toney and Chavez off the top of my head.
He's the best inside fighter. His defense was very underatted as well. People give Duran and Chavez too much cridet and Armstrong not enough when it comes to the art of not getting hit.
i would say yes to Armstrong. I cant think of anyone better inside. Hank lived on the inside. That was his office. For a heavyweight Joe Frazier was the best i ever saw. Honorable mention to Sugar Ray Leonard. People dont think of him when they think of infighters but he was really great inside.
Armstrong was all time great, but on inside he threw an incredible amount of low blows. In those days ref would let it go, past 40 years he'd be dq'd a lot.
Yeah Armstrong ate some uppercuts but he was still a beast on the inside from what I've seen. Good head movement and impossible to keep off your chest.
I could agree with this. The volume of chavez combined with the reflexes of sweet pea... The guy rarely got hit in his prime and was exceptionally accurate. I struggle thinking of those i'd list above him on the inside!
I can't think of any better, Duran cmes to mind as does Frazier and Marciano, but "Homicide Hank" lived in there.