Greatest punching variety in boxing history

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by dmt, Jun 11, 2025 at 3:25 PM.


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  1. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    Which fighters had the greatest punch variety, i.e. the ability to hurt and/or score points with a wide range of shots.

    At heavyweight, surely Mike Tyson is up there. He had a great left hook (see Tubbs), a great right hand (see Tillman, Botha etc), a great right uppercut, a powerful right hook to the body and also a strong left uppercut (see the first knockdown vs Spinks).

    At cruiserweight, its early days but Jai Opetaia is amazing. His straight left hand is remarkable, he can throw it to the body, head and around the guard with equal proficiency. He also has a powerful lead right uppercut and a strong right hook. The first knockdown vs Nyika with the right hook was amazing.

    Who else? Any weight division.
     
    dmt, Jun 11, 2025 at 3:25 PM
    dmt, Jun 11, 2025 at 3:25 PM
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  2. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Off the top of my head, I’d go with Michael Spinks — he’s good with everything, has a tremendous jab and his lead left uppercut is as devastating as his ‘Spinks Jinx’ right.

    Can basically hurt you any way with anything and his arsenal is complete.
     
    Saintpat, Jun 11, 2025 at 3:55 PM
    Saintpat, Jun 11, 2025 at 3:55 PM
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  3. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    I’m thinking Joe Louis needs a mention. And also Alexis Arguello.
     
    mr. magoo, Jun 11, 2025 at 3:57 PM
    mr. magoo, Jun 11, 2025 at 3:57 PM
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  4. Melankomas

    Melankomas Prime Jeffries would demolish a grizzly in 2 Full Member

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    Not who I’d probably call best but Dempsey and GGG have pretty overlooked variety of punches especially Dempsey who seems to explore every possible opening to the body on the inside. SRR and Armstrong are strong candidates as well.

    John L. Sullivan seemed to have a good variety of punches at least according to what I’ve read. The very early Queensbury rules gave him the opportunity to employ hammer fists and hit the back and throat, Corbett said he never saw a someone throw punches like Sullivan did.
     
    Melankomas, Jun 11, 2025 at 4:03 PM
    Melankomas, Jun 11, 2025 at 4:03 PM
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  5. Bulldog24

    Bulldog24 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Eubank Sr is up there - left uppercut, right uppercut, right hand, right hook
     
    Bulldog24, Jun 11, 2025 at 4:36 PM
    Bulldog24, Jun 11, 2025 at 4:36 PM
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  6. Pugguy

    Pugguy Ingo, The Thinking Man’s GOAT Full Member

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    Floyd Mayweather Jr…..begrudgingly. :D
     
    Pugguy, Jun 11, 2025 at 4:52 PM
    Pugguy, Jun 11, 2025 at 4:52 PM
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  7. SwarmingSlugger

    SwarmingSlugger Active Member Full Member

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    Duran for sure needs a mention. Roberto had a lethal right hand, great left hook, body shots, uppercuts, the whole package really.
     
    SwarmingSlugger, Jun 11, 2025 at 5:46 PM
    SwarmingSlugger, Jun 11, 2025 at 5:46 PM
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  8. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    I forgot to add Canelo Alvarez. He has amazing punch variety.
     
    dmt, Jun 11, 2025 at 5:50 PM
    dmt, Jun 11, 2025 at 5:50 PM
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  9. Glass City Cobra

    Glass City Cobra H2H Burger King

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    I thought of Arguello when I clicked on the thread. Superb, well rounded boxer.

    Chavez didn't have the flashiest combinations, nor was he the best at throwing any particular punch, but nearly everything he threw was good or great. A very consistent, reliable fighter

    Maidana could get sloppy and wild, but he had serious power in either hand and could throw all kinds of shots from odd angles. It's why he gave Mayweather so much trouble despite being technically inferior.
     
    Glass City Cobra, Jun 11, 2025 at 8:32 PM
    Glass City Cobra, Jun 11, 2025 at 8:32 PM
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  10. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    To be fair GGG does have a very extensive arsenal and he has power on all of it.
     
    JohnThomas1, Jun 11, 2025 at 8:42 PM
    JohnThomas1, Jun 11, 2025 at 8:42 PM
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  11. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 Out For Milk Full Member

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    “Finito” Ricardo Lopez
     
    Journeyman92, Jun 11, 2025 at 11:28 PM
    Journeyman92, Jun 11, 2025 at 11:28 PM
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  12. META5

    META5 Active Member Full Member

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    Ike Williams is a good less popular shout.
     
    META5, Jun 11, 2025 at 11:58 PM
    META5, Jun 11, 2025 at 11:58 PM
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  13. zadfrak

    zadfrak Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    another vote for Ricardo Lopez.
     
    zadfrak, Jun 12, 2025 at 1:24 AM
    zadfrak, Jun 12, 2025 at 1:24 AM
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  14. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    George Foreman for another important overlooked mention.
     
    dmt, Jun 12, 2025 at 1:26 AM
    dmt, Jun 12, 2025 at 1:26 AM
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  15. Overhand94

    Overhand94 Active Member Full Member

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    Bowe had the jab (when he bothered to use it), the overhand right, the left hook and right uppercut.
     
    Overhand94, Jun 12, 2025 at 1:57 AM
    Overhand94, Jun 12, 2025 at 1:57 AM
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