Studying different styles of boxers can be a good way to develope new tools and styles to your arsenal. Adaptability is extremely important in boxing and fighting so watching boxers like or unlike yourself can be enlightening. So what are yours favorite fighter to watch, mine are. Julio Caesar Chavez as a technical pressure fighter there is no equal. The way way he got on the insider was often jabbing and bobbing and weaving intelligently unlike Hatton who wrestles and dives inside. He was very calm too during a fight, patient more attributes I like. Mikkel Kessler. Very good technical boxer, fights beautifully on his toes, and has fluid footwork and great balance. Has also has a great 1-2 that he sets up unpredictably behind arm feints. Bernard Hopkins, what current boxer is better at playing mind games than him. Also great footwork and defense. Miguel Cotto. Another very technical pressure fighter with great killer instincts. When he senses he has his man hurt, he turns up the intensity until his opponent give up. Felix trinadad. Is a boxer but he fights off of the front foot more than other boxers Ive seen cause he is looking for that left hook of his. Very technical and accurate with his punches. Rocky Marciano. Threw a punch better pound for pound than just about anyone in the game.
My favorite fighters to study have been mentioned, Mayweather, Barrera, Morales, Hopkins, Jones, Leonard, Hearns (I don't think much can be gleaned from watching Jones, Leonard and Hearns, though - their physical gifts, in no order speed, height, reflexes and coordination, could not be replicated by most, whereas ANYONE could benefit from the way Barrera can pivot off the jab and his footwork and the intelligent mixture of brawling and boxing). Aside from good chin and power, Barrera doesn't possess the freakish attributes like Jones or Hearns that make them unique and for most intents and purposes un-imitatable. I am a very poor man's Pacquiao in style (swarming fast clumsiness), so I love his fights, but I would never recommend anyone fight that way or employ his strategies.
Jones?? I love jones and i enjoy watching him over just about anybody, but i do not study him. i think only he and other genetic freaks can fight like him, with the low guard, showboating and lead right hands and all. thats like studying Prince naseem. but i like watching winky wright, young oscar de la hoya, b hop, MAB, and mayweather to some extent.
in my opinion the best fighter to study is james toney, the guy isn't in the best of shape and still pulls off some great counters, if he can do it without being in shape i'm sure most of us can when we are in shape.
