Subtle Defensive Artists

Gene Fullmer...don't laugh.

 

You can start by removing Duran. He's routinely named among the most defensively skilled fighters ever, so no way is he overlooked.

Otherwise, many punchers gets perhaps too little due for their defense. Louis and Liston for example. I also think Frazier had better defense than many give him credit for. I noticed that Maidana is quite good at rolling with punches, a defensive skill that itself gets overlooked. Hmmm... Sanchez? Most would probably agree he was quite good defensively, though, but he saw everything coming and reacted so smoothly to it. A big factor in his "chin".

Haven't seen anything of Chuvalo aside from his fights with Ali, Frazier and Foreman, but I've heard that his usual mode was that of a counter puncher and I was surprised to see him pull the Philly shell against Foreman.

 

Oscar Bonavena

 

Don't know if he qualify's as a defensive artist, but Archie Moore had very underrated defense.

 

He was obviously harder to hit clean that you'd think with such a seemingly basic fighter. But was that just a factor of his awkwardness or did he do something special? (probably the latter, but I haven't studied him enough to say what)

 

Chris Eubank and Vitali Klitschko come to mind. Very very difficult guys to land a combo on. Usually it's land one and miss with the follow-ups. Kind of a different skillset utilized than the pure defense guys, but very effective.

 

As Duo so brilliantly pointed out in a thread either in this forum or in CHB, Bonavena's performance vs Joe Frazier showed that he had some success in manipulating distance in both his bouts with Frazier, as well as in protecting himself from excess punishment in the process.

 

Dwight Qawi.

 

really?? -____-

 

Benny Lynch. He would use his arms a lot to control the other guys arms and was great at parrying. His excellent spacial awareness and judging of distance meant he could step back and avoid shots or turns his head to ride them/take the sting out the blow. His Iron jaw also helped.

 

Jung Koo Chang
Fighting Harada
Alexis Arguello
Tony Canzoneri

Currently:

Roman Gonzalez
Juan Francisco Estrada
Leonard Bundu

 

:good

 

Benny Lynch...another great Scot! Great pick rossco!

 

I've always thought stylistically Lynch and Wilde is an awsome match up. Both had great offences and defenses. Wilde more elusive Lynch more hands on/ aggressive. Both can bang but Wilde has ATG power and variety. Both had great chins but Lynch edges that one. Lynch is the bigger, stronger more aggresive. Both were great movers in their own ways and both outstanding talents.
Who you got in that one? I know guys like Flea think Lynch beats Wilde. I dont know tbh.