Name the best orthodox defensive boxers to ever live

Manuel Charr, avoids punches by avoiding fighting

 

He could make people look downright foolish, like they were chasing their hat on a windy day and kept just missing.

 

fight starts at 0:50

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Pep
Pea
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Yeah I agree, Toney at his best was phenomenal.

 

@Richmondpete

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The aggressive defence, it's a great little watch and explains his style and skill very well.

 

Muhammad Ali

 

Possibly the goat footwork.

 

Good video and just a reminder how many good fighters James Toney beat

 

His footwork is what I aspire to have, he was such a brilliantly slippery little bugger.

 

Yea, I wish more people paid attention to what he was doing long before Lomachenko.

 

Off the top of my head I'd say:
B-Hop was fantastic defensively and very crafty and cerebral about it. Great at slipping and rolling. He knew when to clinch, knew when to move, was always circling and feinting, knew when to step in and smother power and make it rough on the inside. And he had a uncanny feel for the ring. Excellent ring and defensive IQ. Can't win world titles at 49 unless you are very crafty defensively.

Obviously Floyd was amazing, between his reflexes, his control of distance and his mastery of the pull-counter in the pocket and the shoulder roll made him a joy to watch for true fans of the sweet science(even if you hated him). Great at using the check-hook to get himself out of trouble in the corner. His ability to stay at the end of his range, where he could land and take a half step back and make you miss was phenomenal. Floyd, like B-Hop was also very adept and throwing punches defensively to stop his opponents offensive and force them to reset and start over.

JMM had excellent defense, especially in close. He would make you miss, side step and turn you while landing counters. He was an exceptionally aggressive counter-puncher and that alone requires excellent defensive skills to be successful at it.

There are many others...Benitez, ,RJJ, Holmes, SRL, Ward etc. but nobody wants to read the long, boring, ramblings of a super baked dude.

 

Juan Manuel Marquez.