List boxers who bounce on their toes beautifully like Ali

i assumed most people in classic knew he was a boxer as well...but I guess everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

 

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Worth watching some of him if you have not seen him outside of Muay Thai

 

Very graceful as a boxer. Fluid movement.
Often wonder if Fenech wouldn't have come around how his csreer turns out.

 

oh I think Payakaroon was past his prime by that point (although I think Fenech beats any version). He was able to play a solid matador in round 1 and dropped Fenech for the first time in his career.

He was never really dedicated enough (IMO) to have lasted for too long a time frame anyway. But during his short peak he was super composed, had some of the best footwork and foot placement (he has some Muay Thai videos where he teaches power coming from balance that is top notch stuff).

One of my favorites to rewatch

 

No mention of Slattery?

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Pep, Pastrana, Conn, Robinson, all had excellent foot work prior Ali. But foot work is about what is effective for any particular fighter. Duran, Hagler, Foreman, and Frazier also had exceptional foot work, just used in a in a more aggressive manner.
Use what feels right for YOU! Ali had physical abilities uniquely his.
One of the main issues I see in boxers in today's game is most have fallen into a F.Mayweather style. Instead of using what feels right, and having a trainer with the knowledge of getting the most from one's physical ability.
Example #1 was Adrian Broner. With his physical make up, he should have fought more like an Aaron Pryor, than F.Mayweather.
What Ali did looks good but you can't be Ali. Use what is effective for you.

 

Great thread

I've often thought of starting one along these lines.

It was fascinating to see so many fighters move like Ali in the 1980s ...its only when I got older that I realised it really wasn't how boxing was taught to do that ...fight that way....especially as a heavyweight! That there were other guys before Ali who did this style but he largely made it a cultural icon that float like a butterfly......etc became

Lloyd Honeyghan was a man who could really fight well up on his toes...dancing...sticking and moving....like the great man himself ...he could fight several other ways.

The style is pretty out of fashion now...a lot of guys just don't do the roadwork to have that mobility...it also isn't seen as efficient.

Floyd was using it pretty well vs berto

 

Yes there are like you say many many forms of footwork....Foreman pivots were bulletin and breathtaking....even more so...when they were a precursor to his brutality

 

Benny Leonard: Ring General — Ringcraft & Ring Generalship Breakdown - YouTube
Benny Leonard had some wheels on him.

 

Not mentioned yet: Dupas, Del Flanagan, Canzoneri, Freddie Steele, and Tunney whenever he wanted to, and believe it or not Jack Dempsey. Watch Dempsey against Gibbons. Jack is still bouncing up and down on his toes in the 15th round. Remarkable, I've always thought. I don't even know if Ali was able to do that after 15 rounds. Possibly, the pre-exile version could. Maybe one of you guys can check it out if you are so inclined.