Did Whitaker have the best footwork of any fighter?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Bokaj, Jul 18, 2009.


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  1. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Is there anyone, sufficiently documented on film, who can match or even eclipse Sweet Pea in terms of footwork? If so, who?
     
    Bokaj, Jul 18, 2009
    Bokaj, Jul 18, 2009
    #1
  2. teeto

    teeto Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    Even what we have of Robinson was immense, it must be said.
     
    teeto, Jul 18, 2009
    teeto, Jul 18, 2009
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  3. Sweet Pea

    Sweet Pea Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    Technically, no. His flaw was that he crossed his feet sometimes when he used side to side movement. Most of the time he was able to get away with it, but it was also the main reason he was caught off balance as many times as he was. He was probably the best ever at fighting off the backfoot, though. He was a terrific ring general.

    But many fighters had better footwork from a technical standpoint. Napoles is one of my favorite to watch concerning footwork, along with Zapata, Watanabe, Canizales, Gomez, Pep, etc.
     
    Sweet Pea, Jul 18, 2009
    Sweet Pea, Jul 18, 2009
    #3
  4. Ted Spoon

    Ted Spoon Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Try Jose Napoles; exquisitely adept at maintaining that essential gap between he and the target. Bernard Hopkins was also pretty special at this.

    Whitaker was, of course, fantastic at this as well.
     
    Ted Spoon, Jul 18, 2009
    Ted Spoon, Jul 18, 2009
    #4
  5. Robbi

    Robbi Marvelous Full Member

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    Another flaw, mainly late in his career, was when he stepped forward and took his lead foot off the canvas.
     
    Robbi, Jul 18, 2009
    Robbi, Jul 18, 2009
    #5
  6. PunchOut

    PunchOut Active Member Full Member

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    I thik the Pea nuthuggering here is out of control, still is a top 20 ATG for me ....

    In the Hoya Fight , Pea Clown with hoya in i think round 2 or 3 , and The Footwork he show avoiding The fastest punches of Hoya, Even make a smile on Hoya`s Face ..

    AMAZING
     
    PunchOut, Jul 18, 2009
    PunchOut, Jul 18, 2009
    #6
  7. Robbi

    Robbi Marvelous Full Member

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    Could you please name the suspects of this huggery. :good
     
    Robbi, Jul 18, 2009
    Robbi, Jul 18, 2009
    #7
  8. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Good post. You're right about him crossing his feet at times. His lateral movement was otherwise amazing. Too bad we don't have more footage of Pep, or Robinson for that matter.

    Should also say that even though it's considered a technical flaw crossing ones feet when moving sideways, I think it can have its uses occassionaly since the extra speed can at times make up for the loss of balance and loss of possiblity to counter effectively. It should be used sparingly, though.
     
    Bokaj, Jul 18, 2009
    Bokaj, Jul 18, 2009
    #8
  9. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    I think people are overly critical of his footwork but I wouldn't ever connect him with having the best footwork of all time...I think you need to make the case rather than invite a counter-case my friend.
     
    McGrain, Jul 18, 2009
    McGrain, Jul 18, 2009
    #9
  10. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Fair enough. But I wasn't really looking to make a case, just start a discussion.

    I know you rate Robinson's footwork very highly, as do I. How would you compare the two in this regard?
     
    Bokaj, Jul 18, 2009
    Bokaj, Jul 18, 2009
    #10
  11. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

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    I thought Walcott had the best footwork in my eyes.
     
    robert ungurean, Jul 18, 2009
    robert ungurean, Jul 18, 2009
    #11
  12. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    You have to pick Robinson I think. Almost always perfectly balanced and some really dramatic displays in terms of footwork.
     
    McGrain, Jul 18, 2009
    McGrain, Jul 18, 2009
    #12
  13. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    For sure that is an excellent pick.
     
    McGrain, Jul 18, 2009
    McGrain, Jul 18, 2009
    #13
  14. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    I'd name Frazier, Robinson, Napoles and Ali as examples of fighters who i'd pickas different examples of types of superior footwork...i'd love to hear someone make a case for Pacquiao! I think a good one could be made. I also like Pea's Watanabe shout, though I have concerns about his control of distance with footwork...but arguably that's tactical anyway. Yeah, Watanabe's a good shout.
     
    McGrain, Jul 18, 2009
    McGrain, Jul 18, 2009
    #14
  15. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

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    I forgot to mention Pep also.
    When he wanted to Duran had beautiful footwork also.
     
    robert ungurean, Jul 18, 2009
    robert ungurean, Jul 18, 2009
    #15
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