Which fighters from the Black and White (film) era seem to have a super high ring IQ? Guys who are so intelligent that you just see they know exactly what they are doing, they outthink their opponents, they know what their opponent will do even before the opponent knows it. For me Gene Tunney and Harold Johnson belong in that category. By the way, I never boxed, but I was a pretty good table tennis player and I remember once I played against a guy who knew exactly what I would do next and that is why he beat me. It was as if he was connected to my brain and everytime I changed my strategy, he knew it before I knew it, he reacted the appropriate way and won the point. It was unreal. I don't know what it was but it was almost scary. Like Daniel Negreanu who does those unreal reads in poker as if he could look right through you and you cannot block him. What old school guys have an unreal ring IQ in your opinion?
Charley Burley would seem to be a great example, there's actually a pretty cool video on youtube with him being analyzed.
Mongoose, Bodysnatcher, Dinamita, Lights out, Grampy Hops, Jersey Joe Cream, White Buffalo and Big Boy Brown.
The most renowned "thinker" in boxing was Benny Leonard...Though only about 5ft5" Leonard was known for his quick mind...
Tommy Loughran sure seemed to know how to maximize his style, though it's difficult to really view what little film of him there is and 1. get a great idea of his capability, and 2. appreciate the overall style that was deemed "acceptable" at that time.
Mongoose Moore would top this list for me, although Benny Leonard probably sets the all-time standard
Yep they seemed to look at home in there didn't they. Jersey Joe was a old school vet, and Charles was to. I think Louis had a great thinking style, it was like every punch was thought out and delivered with great timing and accuracy.