Who were the best improvisers in boxing, i.e. fighters who could change their styles or strategy during the match to adjust to their opponent?
The lore was was Ali’s ropa-dope was an in fight decision. I definitely admire Sugar Ray Leonard flipping the script and becoming the aggressor against Hearns!
Miguel Canto almost learned how to use his right hand effectively on the job in the third fight vs Oguma.
Ali is the one for me. I have been thinking about this improvising argument and I wonder did Ali just improvise all of his fights. Aside from his first Liston, I don’t particularly see and plan of attack, he seems to rely on his superior speed hand and foot. There did not seem to be a plan to attack the body in one fight, or get an angle in another. It really seemed to be sooner or later my reach, speed, conditioning and will power will get to my opponent. Perhaps to a degree Roy Jones was the same.
Mayweather was great at infight adjustments. One of his best qualities among many excellent qualities. Joe Calzaghe a few times made great adjustments in fight. Against Kessler and also Hopkins. He realized he was being dragged into Hopkins style fight and just turned on the volume to a level Hopkins couldn't match. De La Hoya was someone that could employ different strategies but he bizarrly often chose the wrong one. He ran from Trinidad on corner advice costing him that fight and against Mayweather once he began using his jab Mayweather was troubled and then he abadoned it.
Calzaghe is the only fighter I can think of who actually benefited from having his father as his trainer....Enzo could really give him a good ass chewing
I love the quote about Mayweather and his infighting. He is one of the best infighters in boxing history. With that said, what you consider improvising, I like to call Mayweather “picking the lock”. He did it against Judah when after taking a shot and his glove touching the ground. Mayweather, like you mentioned, changed tactics and starting throwing and landing a lead right, once that became consistent he started throwing a left hook, then coming back with work for the otherside. He started beating the crap outta of Judah. I love your post however I think he picks the lock more than improvises.
