I've always had Mayweather top 3 in defense, but i have him #1 now!!

yup, his defense becomes better when he has fear. the best hugs and runs displayed on that fight just to protect that "o". has all the advantages but chose to showcase the best defense ever.

 

1. Whitaker
2. Mayweather
3. Pep

But Floyd is a more complete fighter than Pernell. He is better attacking. Ranks higher in All Time Lists.

 

Yeah I think you can make that argument. In terms of defense, throughout an entire career, he's possibly the best ever or one of the best ever. Not sure he tops Pep though...

 

Willie Pep is number #1

 

Yeppppp.

 

What about Locche?

Where would Toney rank in the defense list?

 

Hard to say he is better than Pep, Benitez or Pea. He is definitely the best of his generation.

 

You can argue that Whitaker had a more entertaining style, but I don't think his defense was better/more effective than Mayweather's. Also occasionally Whitaker would bend so low that he almost had his head between his knees, which just rubs me the wrong way. Floyd's movement is, in general, more lateral and when he ducks his head it isn't as low (= not too low).
When Whitaker was hit, which he got more often, it was typically because he was more aggressive though, and he had a good chin to help him. But again if talking only about defense in isolation I'll place Mayweather over Sweet Pea.

 

Putting Roy Jones on the list tells me everything I need to know about your boxing knowledge. adding the word prime cant even save it

 

Prince Naseem had pretty amazing defense. He was known for his crazy punching angles, but he certainly had more upper body defensive evading skill than Mayweather. He'd make people miss and look silly in a way that Mayweather couldn't.

 

When you look at records its not so hard. there's champion after champion on Floyds resume. Though I don't give him credit for the glorified amateur he just fought. 48-0 without much power speaks for it's self

 

I love the prince but not even close. He got caught far too often by average fighters. His style lent itself to giving up balance KD's but if you want to use that style as an example then RJJ was far better defensively.