Fighters that closely studied potential opponents

Marciano, by his own admission during the prelude to his staged performance against Ali. Rocky wasn't at all lacking in analytical intelligence, but understood what he did well, didn't attempt to do what he wasn't adept at, and made the other guy have to study him instead.

Frazier strategized for the FOTC, then Jerry Quarry II (with jabs and right hands) and Foreman II (utilizing movement for the first time since Stander) with Futch, but again, he was what he was, and made the other camp worry about studying.

 

Ali studied Foreman.

He said he watched the Foreman- Frazier fight a number of times.

The main thing he took away from it was that Foreman was worn out after he finished Frazier off in the 2nd round.

Ali knew, then, how he would fight him.

 

Bernard Hopkins studied Felix Trinidad. He seemed to know what he was going to do before he did it.

 

Yeah, it's well-known that The Rock wanted to know nothing about his opponents. One can't say it didn't work for him.

Funnily enough, Hearns too barely showed any interest in studying his opponents, at least for the first few years of his career. I find that quite remarkable.

 

While Robinson was out gallivanting, Randy Turpin was watching films of Robinson -in slow motion.

 

Axel Schulz watched 1200 hours of Botha footage in high resolution super slow mo.

 

Hopkins studies all his opponents meticulously

 

This.

Holyfield studied Tyson like a damn demon. That one comes to mind instantly.

How about Tarver calling out RJJ? Never thought Tarver could pull it off. NEVER.

 

Sugar Ray Robinson studied film of Gene Fullmer befoe their rematch. He noticed that Fullmer was open for a lefthook when he dipped to throw his right.