Toney is definitely not technically perfect, but there's a difference between orthodoxy and technical mastery.
Indeed. Toney was an excellent technical fighter from the waist up. The problem has always been his footwork. A guy like Charley Burley, while unorthodox by the textbook definition, was one of the most technically skilled fighters of all time. Same applies for a guy like Archie Moore.
Definitely. There are all kinds of examples. Napoles being one of the most well-rounded of all time. A far better technician through and through than most being named in this thread.
First person i always think of when people talk about technichally perfect fighters is Ricardo Lopez and Ricardo Lopez. Oh yeah and Ricardo Lopez!
There's nothing un-technical about clinching, provided it's done in the right way. Technical is not what you do but how you do it (generally - winging uppercuts from the outside is unlikely to be technically correct, howsoever executed). And FYI Ward often doesn't clinch per se - he works inside and others who don't have his game there end up instigating the clinches. See the Green fight. Green is the only one holding there.
Good post and good shout outs for Louis and Arguello who remind me of each other. I was thinking of something similar to say bu you pretty much hit it right with your analysis of those 2.:good It was ok that they were somewhat slow of foot caue they were always in range to land and also throw picture perfect shots. I really enjoy watching these guys. Fight films of Louis,Arguelo is someone every aspiring boxer should watch and emulate before they pick up bad habits.
I always like Genaro Hernandez. I saw Thomas Hearns fight at 175 at the forum in 1991, and on the undercard was Hernandez. I told my friend before knowing who he was, that guy is technically a great boxer. Almost perfect and he didn't waste much energy. He actually reminded me of Tommy when he was boxing, but he didn't have the power, so he did not waste his time trying to knock guys out which turned out to help him. He learned to just box and box and box. I was helping train my friend who was a boxer at the time and I told him later, watch videos of Hernandez. That guy is great. Underrated. I always liked Genaro and his skills, and when I met him he was a great guy also.