Best European defensive stylist\specialist

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by lora, Feb 8, 2012.


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  1. lora

    lora Fighting Zapata Full Member

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    I was thinking recently that this is an area of boxing that has been particularly dominated by the Americas.

    Who would you rate as the best European developed fighters in this area?Has europe ever produced a great defensive boxer?
     
    lora, Feb 8, 2012
    lora, Feb 8, 2012
    #1
  2. Lester1583

    Lester1583 Can you hear this? Full Member

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    Does Kalambay counts?
     
    Lester1583, Feb 8, 2012
    Lester1583, Feb 8, 2012
    #2
  3. lora

    lora Fighting Zapata Full Member

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    Nah, he's an African fighter imo.

    I'm interested in proper European nationals for this(without getting too pedantic or anything).Eubank would be fine even though he learned a lot of his technique in America.Which brings up another discussion as he would be one of the best imo.
     
    lora, Feb 8, 2012
    lora, Feb 8, 2012
    #3
  4. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

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    Good call, depends where he was schooled I suppose.

    What about Jimmy Wilde?

    Buchannon not all out defensive boxer but pretty technically good. Michael Watson is another in that vain. Bomber Graham was more unorthodox but generally very slippy. Eubank had a good radar but arguably American trained

    Ottke/Rochiaganni are very much about defence but I don't rate their skillsets too highly

    Currently Frankie Gavin has looked to be very impressive as a defensive technician
     
    PowerPuncher, Feb 8, 2012
    PowerPuncher, Feb 8, 2012
    #4
  5. atberry

    atberry Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

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    Mike Watson came to mind. That tucked defense was beautiful - nothing could get through - hands opened up and finger points pressed either side of forehead with forearms covering ribs. Not only that, but he he could counter in combinations from it!!!
     
    atberry, Feb 8, 2012
    atberry, Feb 8, 2012
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  6. Kalasinn

    Kalasinn ♧ OG Kally ♤ Full Member

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    Duran deserves a mention.














    ... wait no he doesn't.
     
    Kalasinn, Feb 8, 2012
    Kalasinn, Feb 8, 2012
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  7. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Jim Driscoll is the obvious answer.

    For a more modern take, how about Hamed?
     
    McGrain, Feb 8, 2012
    McGrain, Feb 8, 2012
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  8. AREA 53

    AREA 53 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Howard Winstone Ken Buchanan at the top end

    Bunny Sterling - Lazlo Pap

    Colin McMillan Vernon Sollas Errol Christie (until they got hit ! moved up in class)
     
    AREA 53, Feb 8, 2012
    AREA 53, Feb 8, 2012
    #8
  9. Lester1583

    Lester1583 Can you hear this? Full Member

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    Lester1583, Feb 8, 2012
    Lester1583, Feb 8, 2012
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  10. WhataRock

    WhataRock Loyal Member Full Member

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    I always did like Tom Bogs' footwork and technical ability...though he ultimately became fairly hittable against Monzon and Conteh.
     
    WhataRock, Feb 8, 2012
    WhataRock, Feb 8, 2012
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  11. GPater11093

    GPater11093 Barry Full Member

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    Buchanan, Conteh, McGowan, Driscoll

    IMO, and all 4 British and 2 Scots. Haha

    Cant really think of any good ones for other countries though, not saying there isnt though. Maybe Johnny Famechon for France, nah. Legra for Spain?
     
    GPater11093, Feb 8, 2012
    GPater11093, Feb 8, 2012
    #11
  12. sweet_scientist

    sweet_scientist Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I don't think Europe has ever had a great defensive stylist, though there have been a few imitators (Graham & Hamed being at the fore).

    Quite a few Europeans have incorporated excellent defense into their games though (Driscoll, Welsh and Loi being probably the most famous and to a lesser extent the likes of Winstone, McGowan & Buchanan).
     
    sweet_scientist, Feb 8, 2012
    sweet_scientist, Feb 8, 2012
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  13. Vic-JofreBRASIL

    Vic-JofreBRASIL Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Interesting that many germans were defensive guys....Ottke, Sturm, Mildenberger, Maske.....although I wouldn´t call them "great" defensive specialists.......Maske is a good mention, very good defensive fighter...
     
    Vic-JofreBRASIL, Feb 8, 2012
    Vic-JofreBRASIL, Feb 8, 2012
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  14. Spearmint Rhino

    Spearmint Rhino Guest

    Bomber Graham for me.
     
    Spearmint Rhino, Feb 9, 2012
    Spearmint Rhino, Feb 9, 2012
    #14
  15. lora

    lora Fighting Zapata Full Member

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    Driscoll seems like the most likely candidate, from a historically great perspective.Just wish there was better\more footage.

    From the 80s euro middleweights i think Eubank was better than Graham defensively.He could do the Ali influenced, swaying away on the backfoot stuff nearly as well, plus very good Napoles-esque head slips, good glove\block\parry skills, good ability to roll under punches and a nice bag of clever angles to use at ring centre and on the backfoot.Better overall technically.

    the poor feet on the frontfoot and more importantly the often sloppy inconsistency stops him from being great, though.
     
    lora, Feb 9, 2012
    lora, Feb 9, 2012
    #15
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