Most Technically Perfect Boxers

Add luis Rodrequez

 

Tommy Hearns deserves a mention. He was a very technically correct fighter who utilized all the old-time fundamentals, like the 1-2, left jab, right cross that you hardly ever see in boxing these days.

 

Alexis Arguello came straight to mind. A simply wonderful technician. A little stiff, not the fastest but technically superb. Hopkins in the latter era. Old school. Eddie Mustafa Muhammad was also a sensational technician.

 

-Winky Wright has based his career on the fundamentals of a superb jab and an airtight defense.

-Ricardo Lopez was superior in every facet of boxing to virtually everbody he fought.

-Alexis Arguello was textbook in every way.He didn't waste a punch or expend any energy with unnecessary movement.

-I've only seen a small amount of footage of him but what I've seen of Eder Jofre he looks to be a fighter with complete mastery of his craft.

 

Jose Napoles
Eder Jofre
Tommy Hearns
Antonio Cervantes
Rafael Marquez

 

Good call on Marquez he's very impressive.

 

In fairness I think the 2nd Tarver fight showed some defensive frailty on Roys behalf

 

Roy Jones breaks every single rule. His 'defense' consists of staying out of range and leaping, and otherwise relying on (uncanny)reflexes.

I'll put in my nod for Alexis Arguello and Winky Wright. Hagler was technically good offensively, but his defense was a little leaky. Same with Joe Luis. (on the level we're discussing)

 

Watch it again. Roy throws a left counter, and at the same time keeps his right hand next to his chin against a left hook from Tarver. It was only because Tarver stepped forward and to the right (highly unusual move that Tarver never showed in any other fight in similar situations) he got his left hand past that guard.

 

Wrong. You need to watch it again.

When an orthodox fighter fights a southpaw, a basic rule is to keep your left foot outside of the southpaw's right foot. Not only did Jones fail to do this, he also was in the middle of pulling back. Then he squared off and looked as if he closed his eyes. Tarver easily positioned himself at the perfect angle to land that left hook.

In addition, the long right that Jones had just thrown in close was done while his left hand was dangling by his waist. Dangerous stuff. Tarver could have finished him with a right hook.

Those are at least 4 basic technical mistakes that Jones made.

The fact is, Jones was a superior athletic phenomenon who relied on speed, timing, power, and reflexes. That was his thing. His vulnerability was inversely related to his athleticism. Great technicians adapt to age and rely more on technical skill once their physical powers diminish. To wit: Duran. Moore. Jones was athletically superior to both, but in terms of technical expertise, he wasn't even close.

 

Ggod post Stonehands. :good Jones did indeed rely on his extraordinary physical gifts - his technique could often be described as lousy. He got away with fundamental errors that ordinary athletes would have been punished for.

 

Bernard Taylor
Howard Davis Jr.

 

How about Mike Tyson?