Pep, Whitaker, SRL, Floyd - Boxing ability, who takes it ?

I tend to agree with both list but I´d still take Leonard as the best of all of them. Most complete package overall IMO.

 

The gifted unorthodox Willie Pep takes it...though I'd like to know by what restrictive standards Nicolino Locche was eliminated from contention in this thread? Talk about a guy who knew how not to get hit.

 

For me it goes Whitaker, Pep, PBF and Leonard.

 

Ok:good ..that's cool, and I'll stick with Pep.

 

Poontarat.

 

I don't think Leonard and Floyd belong in a list of great classic technical ability.

Floyd's skill is in slickster skills-Misdirection, pull counter, lead foot pivots.

Leonard was a master at using the nigh-on unreal physical gifts he had. He had no great technical ability, just great understanding of the types of bullets his gun fired. He never 100% left amateur style of fighting, where flurries and circles are the norm. Even his lateral movement isn't exceptional; It should never look like you are actively in retreat, and he often did. Movements were too big and imprecise.

I agree with Bodhi though: Because he combined his speed and style with cracking power, he overwhelms all listed in a p4p fight. Leonard had what he needed to hit Whitaker and Pep, and thats lightning speed and punches in bunches. Floyd needed them to try to hit him first, and they wouldn't do it in a way that triggered the traps he set. That would lead him to try to take initiative, which he more often than not does by leading and leaping with straight rights and hooks, and he'd struggle to hit Pep and Pea this way.

 

I have never seen Willie's equal in the things he could do. As a golden glover I spent countless hours trying to emulate his skills and almost magical movements. Pea was close to perfection in his style of boxing also, but for the while boat of skills it has to be Pep for me.