In my somewhat abbreviated current Ring magazine Michael Moorer was asked which opponents had the attributes/talents. These are his responses. Best Jab= Vassilly Jirov Best Defence=George Foreman Fastest Hands=Bert Cooper Fastest Feet=Leslie Stewart Best Chin=Frans Botha Smartest=Evander Holyfield Strongest=Bert Cooper Best Puncher =David Tua Boxing Skills=Evander Holyfield Best Overall=Evander Holyfield Some surprises there for me ,[Jab,Chin,Strongest,] Your thoughts?
Cooper, who Foreman shoved around like he was on roller skates, is somehow stronger? And Botha has a better chin? A highly questionable list, and Moorer, as always, is a petulant, full of **** little brat.
A few surprises there to be honest. Naming Botha as Best Chin ,when he was bouncing his Best punches off of big George and Holyfield for rounds and going no where .And strongest one being Cooper ? I know Bert was hardly a weakling but I'd have thought Foreman or Holy again ?.
Interesting from a fighter perspective especially Big George with the best defense but Old Archie did make some positive defensive changes in Big G, cross arm & pace & countering. I could only imagine if Archie had input in the younger version. Jirov Jab another suprise & Cooper with fastest hands
Very interesting picks, especially Botha as the best chin. I thought he would name Holyfield or Foreman (Tua was another iron-chinned opponent but Moorer didn't check his chin). As for best jab, I expected Moorer to name some other fighter, not Jirov. Strongest also must be Foreman
Lot of these fighter mix the picks up with guys they beat. They rarely give an absolute truthful answer. Plus the article would be boring if he picked one fighter in most catergories by doing this he is giving credit to fighters who were good and maybe get overlooked a lot. Jirov was a good fighter his war with Toney was one for the ages.
interesting list from Moorer I think though that besides his notoriously bitter attitude towards Foreman's win the fighter perspective is not always going to match fan expectations Tua wiped the floor with him impressively in brutal fashion so no argument on his choice there but his picking Cooper over Foreman in strength seems personal
agree with holy best over all. but in categories of chin and strongest? methinks moorer as having a case of sour grapes against a particular fighter. agree though bout puncher. while george knocked him out with one punch in the 9th, tua flattened him early!
Jirov, the best jabber he meet? I'd say Holyfield. Foreman the best defense, a very odd pick. I do think he was honest with Tua, and Cooper. Botha was pretty durable, Moorer had target practice vs him, but I'd pick Holyfield.
Yeah, my thoughts as well. Bert and Moorer consistently grappled and wrestled for position, in-fighting. Foreman did no such thing against Moorer, so how would Moorer know one way or another? Some fans.
