By overall boxing sklills I mean both defenside and offensive skills. Riddick Bowe, for example, was the most skilled big HW at the offensive end, but his defense was far worse comparing to Lewis or Wlad So, how do you ranks these fighters by skills? - Sugar Ray Robinson - Sugar Ray Leonard - Roberto Duran - Pernell Whitaker - Floyd Mayweather - Vasyl Lomachenko
Louis was best offensively skilled Heavyweight in history in my opinion. If I take away power as a factor then: Roberto Duran Only his attention to defense separates him, slightly, from my next contender. Sugar Ray Robinson His foot movement, spacing, countering, timing and speed are just about all unparalleled. He ignored the rigors of astute defense because his other advantages were so considerable that only a crazy man would try to open up on him. Sugar Ray Leonard Sugar Ray Leonard may be only fighter in history without a significant weakness. He is something like what I hear about Joe DiMaggio. Not the best at anything but one of the best at everything. Pernell Sweat Pea Whitaker Very similar to Robinson in the skill department. Mastered the art of timing, countering..but trumped them all with slipping, parrying, blocking and ducking. A defensive master with the best southpaw jab in history, perhaps period.
I agree on Louis being the most skilled offensively HW ever, but I was writing about big (6'5'' and taller) heavyweights, and among them Bowe's offensive skillset was the best although his defense clearly wasn't. Great breakdown of fighters' strength in your post, BTW! Do you rank Floyd and Loma behind those 4 guys by overall skill level?
Yep..sorry, I didn’t realize the specifics. I did not include Lomachenko because, ashamedly, I don’t know much about him. As for Floyd, I don’t believe his skill, although impressive, is unique, tested, and interesting enough to warrant his name alongside these illustrious fighters. I may have included Hagler there instead of Floyd who’s ability to box, slug, orthodox, southpaw with superior defense and countering is near equal with Duran..and in someways surpasses them all. Thanks for the compliments and as well for posting such an interesting thread.
