Name the champions in all divisions who were considered, for better or worse as "safety first" fighters.
If you can not Punch, but still get to the Top through Skillful Mobile Boxing, Does that make you safety first ? or simply playing to your Strenghts ? Hugo Curro at Middle Virgil Hill at Lt Heavy ? Jose Legra at Feather
Mayweather and Roy Jones were the first two that popped into my head. Wlad used to be a voracious offensive machine, but under Steward he has gradually developed into a safety-first fighter as well.
Willie Pep was...however he was a brilliant offensive combination puncher when he wanted to be. But he was soo good, that sometimes he said to himself "**** it, im 1,000x more naturally gifted than this guy, how bout ill play a game where he doesnt hit me tonite"
Both Klitschkos box in that manner.. Wlad against Ibragimov was a sad one though, he was almost batting Sultans hand away like he was playing Ping Pong....... Jack Johnson........ safety first , but a genius at it......
Freddie Welsh. Turned every fight into a stinker non-fight by running, covering up, holding, etc. Between fighting on his home turf in England and the no-decision rule, it was extremely hard to get a win over him, as he was extremely difficult to knock out. Finally, Welsh met his match in the master Benny Leonard, who smashed his way through all of Welsh's tricks and KO'd him. Thankfully, Welsh quickly faded from the big scene after that.
Ruiz and Hopkin's, though Ruiz used to actually be a boxer puncher. Not that I think about it the same applies to Hopkin's.
Hopkins going into the Jones fight was played up as the one punch knockout artist. I remember Boxing 92/93 predicting a Hagler/Hearnsesque two round war.
Freddy didn't fade from the scene because of Benny Leonard. I think WW I had more to do with his lack of ring activity after 1917 than nine rounds with Leonard.
