P4P: Make a list purely on ability

I have to see more of Conteh. What fight do you recommend? It'll probably be on youtube.

 

These are the best fighters I have seen on film

Julio Cesar Chavez - He puts his punches together as well as anyone I've seen. His accuracy is amazing, very rarely misses, and he switches to body and head as seamlessly as anyone I've seen too. Underrated defense, he takes a lot of shots on his arms, and he limits the impact of punches by rolling with them at times, and tucking his chin in as he unloads. Great in-fighter, cuts the ring off effortlessly.

Orlando Canizales - Perhaps some will feel I'm a bit of a fanboy but I'm really impressed with his footage. I love his variety of his punches, the way he'll turn his jab into an uppercut, and create angles for himself by stepping to the left and right. One of the most supreme counter punches I've seen, his power at Bantamweight was devastating, one of the most underrated fighters on ESB. Some haven't even heard of the guy.

Sugar Ray Leonard - One of the most complete. Had power in both hands, his speed was unbelievable, and he could take a really good shot. I wouldn't favor anyone over him at Welterweight other than perhaps Sugar Ray Robinson, and even then I feel the result would very much be in doubt. He proved his skills against some of the best fighters of all time.

Muhammad Ali - Before his exile, he was dismantling champions and decent contenders like they were junior sparring partners. His speed was just to much for the Heavyweights, he'd avoid punches simply by moving his head. A little unortodox, but when he did get hit, he showed that he could withstand heavy artillery from even the most lauded of punchers. Shavers, Liston, Foreman, Frazier, and the list goes on. All the hype is justified in my judgment.

Alexis Arguello - Nobody threw shots with better technique than Alexis Arguello. He could be outboxed, and his speed was nothing spectacular, but he waited for openings and then he'd throw the most beautiful looking punches you'll ever seen. The straight right hand down the pipe damn near killed Kevin Rooney, and his left hook devastated Ray Mancini. Kobayashi will never forget the body shot that almost doubled him over either. He had every shot, and he threw it with perfect accuracy and technique. A great 15 round fighter.

 

I haven't seen as much of Louis as perhaps I should have McGrain. I wasn't saying they were better than Louis, the just impress me every time I watch them work.

I'll be frank. I know **** all about the sport in comparison to some of you. There's a 100 fighters that I've still yet to really see and appreciate, Armstrong and Louis included.

 

I've seen a bit of Zarate, and I don't think it's out of the question to consider Canizales a superior offensive fighter. He's just more explosive, has faster hands, and a better more fluid combination puncher in my judgment.