When superior technique beat superior athleticism

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by dmt, Jun 26, 2026.


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  1. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    Prime fighters only. Post prime losses don't count.

    Barerra vs Naseem Hamed is a good one. Barerra dismantled Hamed through clean crisp punching. Rare example of a prime fast fighter being outboxed.
     
    dmt, Jun 26, 2026
    dmt, Jun 26, 2026
    #1
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  2. Gazelle Punch

    Gazelle Punch Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Louis v Schmeling 1 comes to mind
     
    Gazelle Punch, Jun 26, 2026
    Gazelle Punch, Jun 26, 2026
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  3. Thread Stealer

    Thread Stealer Loyal Member Full Member

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    Danny Garcia-Amir Khan
    Kostya Tszyu-Zab Judah
    Miguel Cotto-Zab Judah
     
    Thread Stealer, Jun 26, 2026
    Thread Stealer, Jun 26, 2026
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  4. TNSNO1878

    TNSNO1878 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Tszyu vs Judah has to be the gold standard here I think, a few others I can think of:

    Frazier vs Ali 1
    Joyce vs Dubois
    Usyk vs Joshua
    Pavlik vs Taylor
    Chavez vs Meldrick
    Calzaghe vs Lacy
    Froch vs Dirrell
     
    TNSNO1878, Jun 26, 2026
    TNSNO1878, Jun 26, 2026
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  5. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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    On my card, JMM VS Pac was that.
     
    Boxed Ears, Jun 27, 2026
    Boxed Ears, Jun 27, 2026
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  6. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    I mean, could we stretch the boundaries and thrust forth Leonard - Duran. Duran waged war in close but he was technically immense at close quarters.
     
    JohnThomas1, Jun 27, 2026
    JohnThomas1, Jun 27, 2026
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  7. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Another good example would be Nunn - Toney, tho Toney was getting comfortably outboxed until the final stages.
     
    JohnThomas1, Jun 27, 2026
    JohnThomas1, Jun 27, 2026
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  8. ikrasevic

    ikrasevic War for Souls Full Member

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    Joe Louis Vs. Max Baer?
     
    ikrasevic, Jun 27, 2026
    ikrasevic, Jun 27, 2026
    #8
  9. Hi-Tech

    Hi-Tech Active Member Full Member

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    Mayweather vs Judah
     
    Hi-Tech, Jun 27, 2026
    Hi-Tech, Jun 27, 2026
    #9
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  10. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Yes, and interestingly in IV he was arguably the lesser technician, he gambled it all on athletic quality (power) and he won. Mad stuff.

    You should change your avatar soon.
     
    McGrain, Jun 27, 2026
    McGrain, Jun 27, 2026
    #10
  11. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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    ...Why? There's no nudity in it (unless my prescription is failing me). Did the real life duck die or something?

    Anyway, yes, arguably that did happen.
     
    Boxed Ears, Jun 27, 2026
    Boxed Ears, Jun 27, 2026
    #11
  12. KO_King

    KO_King Horizontal Heavyweight Full Member

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    A minor point, but I definitely wouldn't say Naz was prime when he fought Barerra. He was already neglecting training and head hunting. Id say his prime was probably 95 \ 96 though I completely take the point he was still undefeated at that stage and had a big reputation.
     
    Last edited: Jun 27, 2026
    KO_King, Jun 27, 2026
    KO_King, Jun 27, 2026
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  13. ikrasevic

    ikrasevic War for Souls Full Member

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    Michael Spinks Vs. Larry Holmes 1?
     
    ikrasevic, Jun 27, 2026
    ikrasevic, Jun 27, 2026
    #13
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  14. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    nah. I don't think Spinks is less athletic than the 1985 version of Holmes.
     
    dmt, Jun 27, 2026
    dmt, Jun 27, 2026
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  15. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    Usyk had an edge over Joshua in both hand speed and foot speed. Joshua was bigger and harder hitting so it was overcoming a size and power advantage, but not an overall athleticism advantage.
     
    dmt, Jun 27, 2026
    dmt, Jun 27, 2026
    #15
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