Smartest Fighters

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Chinxkid, Jul 21, 2008.


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  1. Chinxkid

    Chinxkid Well-Known Member Full Member

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    What fighters come to mind when you judge them for Boxing IQ, both before and during the fight? We're talking about tailoring a strategy to the specific style of the fighter they're to face, their adaptability once in there, and I'd say an ability to impose their will, to control the pace and tone of the fight, to the point that the other fighter's strategy is ineffective? Some of this last of course has to do with phyical prowess, but I think more is of a result of plain smarts than is generally noted.

    Any other attributes that have to do with the power a fighter has above the shoulders that you would add?
     
    Chinxkid, Jul 21, 2008
    Chinxkid, Jul 21, 2008
    #1
  2. Stonehands89

    Stonehands89 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Ray Leonard deserves a crown for his strategic mind and his adaptability in the ring.
     
    Stonehands89, Jul 21, 2008
    Stonehands89, Jul 21, 2008
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  3. la-califa

    la-califa Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Alexis Arguello, he would move around in the early rounds, analyze his foe. Then test his weaknesses and finally exploit them in the later rounds. A prime example is what he did to Ray Mancini. That was a master tactician at work.
     
    la-califa, Jul 21, 2008
    la-califa, Jul 21, 2008
    #3
  4. Chinxkid

    Chinxkid Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Man, absolutely! I often got the feeling watching one of his more competitive fights that that was the only difference in the outcome. SRL that is.
     
    Chinxkid, Jul 21, 2008
    Chinxkid, Jul 21, 2008
    #4
  5. Chinxkid

    Chinxkid Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Beautiful boxer Arguello, cagey.
     
    Chinxkid, Jul 21, 2008
    Chinxkid, Jul 21, 2008
    #5
  6. la-califa

    la-califa Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Yes most fighters would have been totally befuddled at Hearns' sudden change in stategy, when He decided to box around the ring.(Something he rarely ever did prior to that). Instead of the stalking power puncher. Leonard studied the new style picked his opportunities and wore down Hearns with well timed flurries.
     
    la-califa, Jul 21, 2008
    la-califa, Jul 21, 2008
    #6
  7. tliang1000

    tliang1000 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    floyd mayweather, miguel cotto, ali, leonard, whitaker, oscar, winky, bhop
     
    tliang1000, Jul 21, 2008
    tliang1000, Jul 21, 2008
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  8. Sweet Pea

    Sweet Pea Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    :goodWould've been my choice as well having read the criteria.
     
    Sweet Pea, Jul 21, 2008
    Sweet Pea, Jul 21, 2008
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  9. sweet_scientist

    sweet_scientist Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Benny Leonard is the first fighter that comes to mind.
     
    sweet_scientist, Jul 21, 2008
    sweet_scientist, Jul 21, 2008
    #9
  10. Chinxkid

    Chinxkid Well-Known Member Full Member

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    This thread is open to expansion. I definitely don't have the power above my shoulders, especially after only one cup of coffee, to have pulled it out in one chunk. Want to learn.
     
    Chinxkid, Jul 21, 2008
    Chinxkid, Jul 21, 2008
    #10
  11. la-califa

    la-califa Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Cotto??!! he just comes foreward throws hard punches & hammers his opponent's into submission. When has he ever shown tactical brilliance in the ring? In his two toughest fights,(Mosley, Torres). He still basically fought his same fight, coming foreward and beating his foe. Which is fine, good for him. But he has never had to adapt to an opponents style and overcome him as some of the other more versitile fighters you mentioned. He May be capable of this, but so far I haven't seen this side of his boxing skills yet.
     
    la-califa, Jul 21, 2008
    la-califa, Jul 21, 2008
    #11
  12. Robbi

    Robbi Marvelous Full Member

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    Bingo. Just who I had in mind as I read the opening post.
     
    Robbi, Jul 21, 2008
    Robbi, Jul 21, 2008
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  13. Minotauro

    Minotauro Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Archie Moore is the first fighter I thought of.
     
    Minotauro, Jul 21, 2008
    Minotauro, Jul 21, 2008
    #13
  14. emanuel_augustus

    emanuel_augustus Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Archie Moore.

    Damn had to edit, you beat me to it.
     
    emanuel_augustus, Jul 21, 2008
    emanuel_augustus, Jul 21, 2008
    #14
  15. Robbi

    Robbi Marvelous Full Member

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    Regarding Leonard, he was always disciplined during fights, apart from 'no mas' where he wasn't smart for the whole fight. His strategy in the rematch was as good as perfect to get the win. Against Hearns he looked keep things at long range and assess things before taking chances, and when he choose to step inside he got results. Even though Leonard was coming off second best for large chunks of their first fight, coping with Hearns jab, speed, and reach would present problems for any fighter. While he was behind on points it wasn't because he was wreckless. Against Hagler he fought smartly and Lalonde as well. He did get dropped from a right hand from Lalonde, but again he was cagey and resourceful with his punches.
     
    Robbi, Jul 21, 2008
    Robbi, Jul 21, 2008
    #15
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