Best Heavyweight jab ... all eras....

Holmes

 

Liston
Holmes
Louis

no particular order.

 

Louis or Lewis?

 

imo, from what ive seen:

1-Liston - really stepped into his jab. it was a devastating weapon
2-Holmes - could win a fight with just the jab alone. incredible speed.
3-Ali - utilized great foot movement with it firing from many angles. underrated snap and dominated top level opponents for many years.
4-Wlad - he pitched a virtual shutout with it against an undefeated top 5 hw titleholder. like holmes, could dominate every opponent out there right now if it was his only punch. It's like a power punch which can snap opponents' heads back.
5-Lennox - big power on it. could deliver it from different angles but pawed with it a lot using it as a rangefinder for his big shots.

other great jabs: louis, foreman, bowe

 

Holmes or Liston - it's real close.

 

Larry Holmes
Ray Mercer's "Piston jab"

 

I remember an interview with Henry Cooper who literally said 'Ali's jab was different. He jabbed outward. He dragged your flesh.'

And he did. Little power, lot's of snap. He rarely failed to damage the opponents vision, either through cutting or swelling.

That said, Holmes was the best. Perhaps an obvious choice, but deservedly so. Liston ranks up there, and so does current champion Wladimir K. If you account for the reach and power, he might even have Holmes beat, but it would be solely because of size. Holmes' weapon was more varied, but perhaps a sliver less effective. Still, I rate utility above sheer force, because it comes in handy when it is most needed -- against great opponents.

Then again, it wasn't there versus Witherspoon for Larry. I'll cease here before I confuse myself.

It's a very tough question.

 

Gene Tunney. Great jab. Never mentioned. Most underrated, underappreciated HW champ ever.

 

Liston's jab was great. Also Holmes' and Lewis'.

Wlad also.

 

Holmes.