Fighters who were genetically gifted athletes

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by ticar, Jan 4, 2018.


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  1. surfinghb

    surfinghb Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Mark Breland
     
    surfinghb, Jan 4, 2018
    surfinghb, Jan 4, 2018
    #16
  2. mrkoolkevin

    mrkoolkevin Never wrestle with pigs or argue with fools Full Member

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    Roy Jones, Ray Leonard, and Manny Pacquiao were the first to come to mind.
     
    mrkoolkevin, Jan 4, 2018
    mrkoolkevin, Jan 4, 2018
    #17
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  3. Reason123

    Reason123 Not here for the science fiction. Full Member

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    John L Sullivan was a good natural athlete. I’d imagine about all the fighters who made it to the top were pretty good athletes though.
     
    Reason123, Jan 4, 2018
    Reason123, Jan 4, 2018
    #18
  4. ticar

    ticar Well-Known Member banned Full Member

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    Good call with Wilder.
    As far as explosiveness and speed, he's one of the most gifted the heavyweight division has seen.
    Plus good stamina.

    I think CHEF said that Wilder was dunking the ball like a pro while he was in Wlad's camp.

    Wilder is definitely a better athlete than Joshua.

    Foreman was a freak, especially for boxing. Not much speed and reflexes, but was gifted with incredible strength and punching power, plus a great chin...

    Baer had a great punch and a helluva chin, no doubt, one of the most important gifts especially for a heavyweight...
     
    ticar, Jan 5, 2018
    ticar, Jan 5, 2018
    #19
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  5. ticar

    ticar Well-Known Member banned Full Member

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    Buster Douglas was a good athlete.

    Tall, long, very quick and fluid for a big man, carried the weight great... He played basketball in high school I think, probably had a good vertical jump also..
     
    ticar, Jan 5, 2018
    ticar, Jan 5, 2018
    #20
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  6. ticar

    ticar Well-Known Member banned Full Member

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    Great call with Bowe, although he didn't look muscular like Lewis or Wlad, he definitely had better boxing conditioning than these two... really impressive stamina for such a big guy.

    Ike Ibeabuchi also had unbelievable stamina for such a muscular body.
    Very strong but maybe a little overrated in terms of punching power, and not quite fast... but definitely a specimen.
     
    ticar, Jan 5, 2018
    ticar, Jan 5, 2018
    #21
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  7. ticar

    ticar Well-Known Member banned Full Member

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    These guys are proofs that you don't need to be a good athlete to be a world class fighter...
     
    ticar, Jan 5, 2018
    ticar, Jan 5, 2018
    #22
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  8. ticar

    ticar Well-Known Member banned Full Member

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    Good call, I assume Haye could have been a good sprinter, fast and explosive...
     
    ticar, Jan 5, 2018
    ticar, Jan 5, 2018
    #23
  9. ticar

    ticar Well-Known Member banned Full Member

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    Yea definitely a freak, when you think about it too bad he was born so early... he could have been a real monster had he had a good strength coach, nutrition etc...
     
    ticar, Jan 5, 2018
    ticar, Jan 5, 2018
    #24
  10. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    The way he put his punches together was uncommon for a heavyweight his size. At one time if a guy was 6-5 or taller you sort of expected them to lose some coordination and balance. Bowe was unusual in that he not only threw punches and combos like a much smaller man he was also very adapt at fighting inside even at 6-5. Eddie Futch knew he had a jewel in Bowe and he got the most out of it. It`s a shame he didn't go down as one of the very greatest heavyweights in history.
     
    ETM, Jan 5, 2018
    ETM, Jan 5, 2018
    #25
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  11. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Botha was Transvaal high jump champion.
     
    Seamus, Jan 5, 2018
    Seamus, Jan 5, 2018
    #26
  12. nikrj

    nikrj Active Member Full Member

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  13. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Wilder has the balance and coordination of a newborn giraffe. Just because you are tall and long does not mean you are a great athlete.
     
    Seamus, Jan 5, 2018
    Seamus, Jan 5, 2018
    #28
  14. Smokin Bert

    Smokin Bert Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Yes he did play basketball. His team won the Division 1 (biggest division) state championship in Ohio.
     
    Smokin Bert, Jan 5, 2018
    Smokin Bert, Jan 5, 2018
    #29
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  15. ticar

    ticar Well-Known Member banned Full Member

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    True but he is obviously explosive and fast... By NFL standards better athlete than Joshua or Klitschkos...
     
    ticar, Jan 5, 2018
    ticar, Jan 5, 2018
    #30
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