Jimmy Young's Defensive style

He didn't have world class power and barely ever pushed for a KO. He was never going to knock out anybody of note which is why nobody really rates his power. He obviously had enough of it to gain the respect of his opponents, as most heavyweights do.

There have been only a few cases of heavyweights that truly couldn't punch, such as Zuri Lawrence, even though he did shake up and shut out a recent title challenger in Sosnowski, speaking of the quality of challengers around these days.

 

Having power would have just gotten in Young's way...skill and defensiveness was his forte. He didn't have power of his own to fall in love with.

 

Jimmy Young is a boxer who I wish to study. From what I've
read and heard his defense, feints, skill and ring iq were
masterful. The fact that he beat and befuddled guys
like Foreman Norton and Ali (albeit bad decisions) is
Very interesting. I have trouble watching full fights
On my internet connection, but when i can use
a good computer Ill obviously watch Young vs
Foreman, Ali, and Norton. Any other favorite
performances by Young? I love elite
scientists in the ring, something of a
lost art, particularly in the HW division.

 

chris byrd

 

I've always said the same thing about Wepner's cut-resistance.

 

Let's not rewrite history. Young could not punch. I lived through those yrars and watched most of Youngs bouts. That was his issue no punch and a non aggressive style.

 

Young would get knocked out by light heavies and cruiser weights. He would be considered a BUM by today's standards.

 

He was not a big puncher and Foreman was fragile but STILL that sequence takes Young out of the 'true featherfist' category for me.

 

After the Ken Norton fight,Jimmy lost a lot of motivation,which caused his alarming decline. He'd be world champion in later eras.

 

He could pick up a title now possibly (Povetkin) but I doubt he'd beat Holmes, Tyson, Holyfield, Bowe, Lewis, Vitali, Wlad.

Maybe if the best Young got Moorer instead of Foreman he could have.

Would love to see him around his best form in the Holmes mix though. Lots of different stylists there with inconsistent careers. Young would fit in well there.

 

He put on a masterclass against Ron Lyle.

 

I actually see him beating Riddick Bowe. In 1991 a fat Tony Tubbs came close to beating him,using movement. Just think what a prime Young would do. He'd lose to the others whom you mention,but would give them good fights.

 

Bowe would also be the one I'd give him the best chance of beating, but the Bowe of Holyfield I? Nah.

Oh, and he'd beat Old George!

 

Cool Ill have to check out Lyle vs Young as well. Tyson
I can understand as being too much for most fighters,
but a win over Foreman on his comeback trail in
the 70's is damn impressive. Ive read Foreman was
not the same style fighter and was not coming out
as agressive as he used to, so did Young beat a
Prime Foreman, would Young beat the Foreman
Of Frazier 1? Could Jimmy trouble Wlad and win
a split decision?

 

Foreman nearly died of dehydration that night. I'm sure there are quite a few fighters that could handle a man who is almost dead. He was almost dead. He was having near-death hallucinations in the dressing room right after the fight. He almost died. He was on the brink of death. The brink of death! :fire:fire:fire