If you were a boxing prospect...

Dempsey, simply because I'd be sure to have read his classic manuals. The films of Louis make for great instructional material, but Dempsey actually wrote the definitive textbook among those three, and his is the best for real world applications outside the ring.

 

Dempsey. Not going to be hit that much, exciting style that will lead to popularity and bunches of knockouts. You gotta love it.

 

Since when did Dempsey not get hit too much?

That exaggerated bob and weave **** is pretty looking on film but I'm not sure if it's as effective as the energy it requires. Note that only youngsters are able to pull it off successfully, and only for a couple years.

 

McGrain you nailed it when you said the Bob And Weave of Dempsey is a 'young man's game "...It was terribly effective for young Dempsey, but
I would imagine it was energy depleting to continue in his later years..
But he had the chin to compensate his less mobile style..
Notice in the Jack Sharkey fight in 1927, where the prime Sharkey tagged Dempsey with hard combos on the chin, and the 32 year old Dempsey shook the blows off...Dempsey was a tough, tough hombre, methinks...

 

Louis.

 

Dempsey. Short career but tons of money with that style.

 

You are using the style, not becoming the man!

Much like Marvin Frazier was criticised for using the Joe Frazier style.

I think their should definitely be a 4th option - Muhammed Ali, just to see who would try to emulate him, and it is a major style difference (even if Ali makes that Dancing style even more unorthodox).

Johnson would certainly be interesting. I think that Chris Byrd is the closest we have seen to Johnson in recent times, but he is a lot different, in that he doesnt have the same ability to grapple and tie up and he also doesnt have the same devastating uppercut o do damage. Johnson is also a safety first type fighter, which is a tactic which has really helped Wlad recently though it is hard to compare they two anywhere other than Wlads recent attempts to clinch, and you cant put him in the same league as a clincher as johnson was. Interesting as it would be, I dont think I would be brave enough to try to pull off a johnson.

Dempsey is definitely not my style. Too gung ho, bravery but i think he can be a little too offensive related. If you dont have the natural KO punch like Dempsey or Tyson or perhaps even Frazier, this style becomes very difficult to pull off.

Of those nominated, I definitely think Louis is the aim. Perfect combinations, a solid defence, energy conserving footwork. No question in my mind.


Although not named though, i think Rocky Marciano is the perfect fighters style for any youngster to emulate. Despite what others will tell you, he has perfect technique with each punch, solid defence and hand positioning, amazing attitude to stamina and training. And, imo, this is why he is one of the best ever, despite not having the natural talents or abilities of many others. I have no doubt that he is the guy I would base myself (or anyone i trained) on.

 

depends on my strengths, physical dimensions, and weaknesses

 

Joe Louis, but i would fight in a cruiserweight.

 

You could argue Mayweather/Vitali (quite different but use some of Johnson's techniques) are the modern equivilents of Johnson's style. They probably have as much in common with Johnson as Tyson does with Dempsey, which isn't nearly as much as people make out

 

But wasn't that just as much to do with competition? Also I'm not sure his defense was that effective given he was getting sparked cold by Flynn, getting knocked through the ropes by Firpo, and Meehan/Gibbons/Breenan all landed plenty