Let's review Defensive Boxing, as it is the real essence of what boxing is about

Roy never had the best defense just great reflexes

 

Roy had great defense because of his great reflexes. He didn't have to learn by the book defense, is what you meant.

 

Yes

 

Correct Sergio had a very similar style as Roy but was hit more because he didn’t move his head at the point of attack.. Roy didn’t have the textbook style but he had the skills and athleticism that allow him to do it his way..

 

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Defensive wizardry

 

Is Mayorga the greatest brawler?

 

And cause he chose not to learn by the book, his losses wouldn't come by narrow points, but one KTFO after the other after the other- while his peers who had next to none of his gifts aka Toney, Hopkins, Holyfield, Lewis, Mayweather fought a lot longer, competitively with higher ranked competition- because they IMO learned defensive fundamentals, to the advanced class.

Had Roy learned just fundamentals, I think it would have taken us longer to realize how fragile his mandible was.


As for the thread's assertion Defense is the essence of what boxing is all about? No it isn't. Just my opinion.
Every sport there is a required amount of defense necessary not just boxing.
But without an offense, points cant be made, so victory can't be declared by who stopped the most goals in soccer, who stopped the most touchdowns in American football, who caught the most interceptions, who blocked the most field goals, who blocked the most shots in basketballs, who pitched a shutout in baseball or who had the best shoulder roll in boxing to evade shots. Who had the best Bob n weave. All of the above requires top notch D- to intercept, to shot block, to clear the guard in MMA.

Once a person has bobbed and weaved, tuck the chin, rolled the shoulder, pary the shot aka Swee-Pea do a dipsy-do! ....now how they gonna get their hand raised? Let's play the Benny Leonard won a round without throwing a punch- card. LOL!

Defense is great for the fighter who doesn't want long term damage from sustained beatings. It prolongs their career, it gives fight fan-fanatics details to add to their arsenal as to why a club fight or a youtube backyard beatdwon, or MMA strikers aint got a damn thing on a 'prize-fighter' fight.
But defense IMO isn't supposed to win titles, force judges to score for them. It isn't the essence of boxing to me. The essesnce of boxing IMO- or definition- the basic, real and invariable nature of boxing is to punch a mofo.
Real Hard.
hard enough to make him quit , fall unconscious , run for the duration, force the corner to throw the towel, force the referee to throw his arms around the dude & holler Lennox it's Ovah!!
Or, hit him so hard or hard enough to force him to develop some defensive skills so that he too can try to hit- without being hit!

 

Miguel Canto isn't gonna mentioned by anyone so I'll do it. A while back I wrote this:

Here's some vids. @IntentionalButt, I set you homework to watch these performances.

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Money mayweather is the best defensive boxer I’ve seen so far so slick with that shoulder roll it was amazing also he seemed to improve defensively post prime very impressive

 

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preaching @ the g.d. choir re: maestro. i'm savvy, dig?

 

Ahhh yes. I forgot of how cultured you are, IB. Miguel is excellent. I'd love to see a break down on his skills from you, though. I did a huge one (like 14,000 characters) a few months back if you use wanna link from the quoted post.

 

There is a brilliant teaching video on YouTube featuring Sergey Khomitsky v Adam Etches which highlights the difference between active and passive defence. A good Boxer can use his defence, ( Foot position, blocks and slipping ) to open up angles to counter attack.
The emphasis today is on all out attack as KO's and wars sell to casual fans. Very few Fighters are particularly good defensively