Skilled Heavyweights

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Russell, Sep 23, 2008.


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  1. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    I don't know if fast twitch fibers become rarer the larger you are or what, but reaction time and fluidity aren't a heavyweight staple from everything I've seen. Nor are 230 pound and up giants too keen on learning how to do a lot more than wade in and punch.

    I'm not talking about raw speed and athleticism like Ali, but fighters who understood and practiced pure boxing. The kind of skills that are a common occurrence in lower weight classes.

    Tony Tubb's springs to mind. Beautiful to watch when he was on, motivated and in shape, like he was against Bowe.

    In another vein, Lawrence Clay Bey. I saw him described once as a heavyweight James Toney, and god, it's true.

    Why is it that heavyweights on the fat side end up being skilled anyway? To make up for their physical disadvantages?

    Anyway, who else? Legitimately skillful heavyweights.

    Jimmy Young? Jimmy Ellis?
     
    Russell, Sep 23, 2008
    Russell, Sep 23, 2008
    #1
  2. Titan1

    Titan1 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Greg Page, Carl Williams, maybe James Tillis.
     
    Titan1, Sep 25, 2008
    Titan1, Sep 25, 2008
    #2
  3. Rebel-INS

    Rebel-INS Mighty Healthy Full Member

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    Jersey Joe Walcott springs to mind.
     
    Rebel-INS, Sep 25, 2008
    Rebel-INS, Sep 25, 2008
    #3
  4. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Just how skilled do you feel Page, Williams and Tillis were?
     
    Russell, Sep 25, 2008
    Russell, Sep 25, 2008
    #4
  5. Titan1

    Titan1 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Carl Williams, and Tillis had very good skill, but Page, as far as what he had as a pure boxer, at heavy, no one really touched him, as far as the last 20-something years.
     
    Titan1, Sep 25, 2008
    Titan1, Sep 25, 2008
    #5
  6. groove

    groove Well-Known Member Full Member

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    speed is the name of the game. that's why ali, robinson even calzaghe
    are at the top. power fighters are below. speed beats beats power and that's a fact.
     
    groove, Sep 25, 2008
    groove, Sep 25, 2008
    #6
  7. Charles White

    Charles White Chucker Full Member

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    Definitely Tillis.
     
    Charles White, Sep 25, 2008
    Charles White, Sep 25, 2008
    #7
  8. Dempsey1238

    Dempsey1238 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Not sure, there had been just as many slow guys beating the speeders.

    Tell that to

    Rocky Marciano vs Walcott, Charles and LarSarza.
    Joe Fraizer vs Ali, and Ellis.
    Jim Jeff vs Corbett
    Fitz vs Corbett
    Jack Dempsey vs Sharkey(Dempsey had lost his speed)
    Louis vs Conn and Walcott.
    These are times when power beats speed. Talking heavyweights of couse.
     
    Dempsey1238, Sep 25, 2008
    Dempsey1238, Sep 25, 2008
    #8
  9. MrMagic

    MrMagic Loyal Member Full Member

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    Speed does kill, but the true key is TIMING.

    Timing can neutralize anything.
     
    MrMagic, Sep 25, 2008
    MrMagic, Sep 25, 2008
    #9
  10. Kairos

    Kairos Member Full Member

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    Wladimir Klitschko
     
    Kairos, Sep 25, 2008
    Kairos, Sep 25, 2008
    #10
  11. sp6r=underrated

    sp6r=underrated Member Full Member

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    Don't laugh, Bowe was a pretty skilled superheavyweight. Unlike the rest of that bunch he actually bothered to learn in fighting skills instead of just jabbing and grabbing.
     
    sp6r=underrated, Sep 25, 2008
    sp6r=underrated, Sep 25, 2008
    #11
  12. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Any fights I can dig up to see peak Page in action?
     
    Russell, Sep 25, 2008
    Russell, Sep 25, 2008
    #12
  13. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    Ezzard Charles. Watch the film of his victory over Joe Louis. I don't care if it was an old Louis, Charles was brilliant, with all the moves.
     
    red cobra, Sep 26, 2008
    red cobra, Sep 26, 2008
    #13
  14. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Page among others would run rings around Tillis. Witherspoon had the potential to be a very skilled heavyweight but laziness and lack of motivation brings his mark down enormously.
     
    JohnThomas1, Sep 26, 2008
    JohnThomas1, Sep 26, 2008
    #14
  15. pryorgatti

    pryorgatti Active Member Full Member

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    Tony Tucker
    Larry Holmes
    Tyrell Biggs
    Car Williams
     
    pryorgatti, Sep 26, 2008
    pryorgatti, Sep 26, 2008
    #15
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