Most skilled swarmer/pressure fighter?

I'd rate Tyson higher if he could in-fight against savvy guys who tied him up inside. But all he did was occasionally throw an elbow or bite but mostly look at the referee for help.

For the life of me, why did he not watch Duran in-fight against Palomino or other bigger guys who tried to tie him up? The inability to be effective inside was the one thing missing from his under-rated arsenal, and this is one reason why I don't like his chances against Ali or Holmes.

 

Henry Armstrong and I don't think it's close to be honest.

 

Duran and Tyson were two of the greatest counter/pressure fighters of all-time and Loma is the most skilled counter/pressure fighter of all-time.

 

What I find unique in my experience is Armstrong's use of the "shoulder bump" (my term unless it's already in use -- I'm not up-to-date enough to know). He swarms and bumps his opponent with both of his shoulders to keep him off balance so he can't leverage a meaningful punch. While doing this, he establishes a cadence to his actions which sets its own rhythm while at the same time upsetting that of his opponent. Other "swarmers" I admire like Henry Hank, Joe Frazier, and Mike Tyson don't carry the art to this level

 

In no particular order, although I tend to favor Frazier, Briscoe, Duran, and Armstrong among these.

Armstrong
LaMotta
Basilio
Fullmer
Chuvalo
Briscoe
Frazier
Duran
Norton

 

The question asks who is the most skilled. The two who leap out are Duran and Armstrong. Roman Gonzales is also exceptionally skilled, imo the best swarmer of this century.

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Dempsey the most skilled lmao. Crude like a tyranosaurus

 

A good list

 

I still don't get it what is so crude about Tyranosaurus.

 

Yeah, I paid attention to this as well. He just knew how to use every inch of his body to dominate fighters inside. The way he beat up Ross is still the most outstanding example of swarming boxing I've ever seen.

 

Could you please elaborate on this ?

 

I love swarmers, they're sooooooo fun to watch. I'd say 'skill-for-skill', these are my top 5 (in order):

#5. Julio César Chávez (?)
#4. Mickey Walker
#3. Henry Armstrong
#2. Fighting Harada
#1. Roberto Durán

There's sooooo many that could go on here. Guys like Jeff Fenech, Orlando Canizales, Jung Koo Chang, Chocolatito ect. are all unbelievable swarmers, and could be placed here. Jack Dempsey, however, has no place in these lists.

 

Strictly as a heavyweight, would you have him among best?

 

Strictly HW? Hmm, tough question, since there's a difference between the most skilled pressure and most skilled pressure fighters.

Personally, I'd have Tyson and Patterson as the most skilled pressure fighters I'd class as HWs. Both have the offensive defence, punch structure/variety, and foot-work to close in on anyone and land. Especially Tyson, as his baiting, short combinations and explosive shifting are better

However, the most skilled pressure from a HW IMO comes from Holyfield and Louis, both of whom are guys who I'd call boxer-punchers, but on the front-foot, I think they're the most skilled. Both of these have awesome counters, foot-work and combinations.

I'd have quite a few more before Dempsey though. Guys like Frazier, Bowe Ike, Povetkin, and maybe Marciano. The more I watch of Jack, the more I see he relied on his power, chin and speed more than his skills.