The Greatest Defences In Boxing - all suggestions welcome

Check out 4mins 37secs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzys2JbHvmY

I saw this fight at the time, but I didn't appreciate, or I had forgotten, the exquisite quality of the defence on show here til it was posted on another thread today - and it is worth noting I am NOT a fan of the guy in question. But quality is quality.

I ask the ESB - do you have an example of superb defensive work that you think is particularly special?

I would like to make a Great Defence video, featuring Whitaker, Toney, Hopkins, Mayweather, and more, so any clips or suggestions of instances of great defending would be more than welcome.

However, for this thread any suggestions that were before the dawn of youtube (Willie Pep etc) would be greatly appreciated too, I just want to know of fights and points in those fights where there was some exceptional defensive work being done.

So I have my Mayweather clip, but I would like suggestions on one from Whitaker, one from Toney, one from Hopkins, and any others, and suggestions on when and where the best defensive boxers in history done their best work.

 

Winky is revered as a defencive master too.

 

Do you have a fight or an instance in mind when he demonstrated this best?

 

Any actual examples though? Fights, rounds, clips?

I am a huge RJJ fan, but I don't think he was a great defensive boxer. He boxed offensively but avoided being hit purely on the basis of speed, mobility and athleticism. Once these attributes faded with age, it was apparent he was not a great defensive boxer like Hopkins for instance. You could argue that his mobility and agility made him a different type of great defensive boxer, as his defence was effective, but IMO if he ever faced anyone as quick and slick as him, his defence would have been exposed. He would probably still beat them knowing RJJ, but he would have to have fought very offensively as he could not have relied on defence and counterpunching.

IMO, a great defensive boxer is one who can rely on their defence against all styles. Hopkins, Toney, Whitaker, Mayweather can all do this, I don't think RJJ could, even though I rate RJJ higher than any of them p4p.

 

Whitaker and Locche.

The best defences are the ones that don't take many shots, period. Not even on the arms and gloves. That is why I wouldn't consider Winky-Wright in all-time great terms.

 

There are many good examples in the Mosely fights. Alto his fight against Triniday. I'm sure there are others - his main asset is his 'ear muff defence' - those are just the two that I remember fmost easily.

 

Also, Leonard showed some great defencive moves V Hagler.

 

I disagree with this. Blocking shots is a very effective art form. It tires the other fighter out, ****s with him mentally, and allows you to conserve energy and launch effective counterattacks. When guys who rely on speed and movement slow down, they get hurt. The defensive styles of Hopkins and Toney mean they can conserve energy, nullify attacks, frustrate opponents, and build a win - they could do it at 25 and at 40. I think both the Whitaker style of defending and the Hopkins style of defending are equally brilliant and equally valid.

 

What better way to do all of the things you just mentioned than not get hit at all for the most part? That is just common sense, if you have the stamina to implement it as Whitaker did, its a no brainer. I'd rather not get hit at all thanks.

I'm not sure about Toney either. His defence hasn't always stood up against all comers, he's had to rely on his chin a fair bit too. He is also rooted to the canvas a fair bit, not quite so badly at his peak, but he was still lacking in movement. If we are comparing it across all eras we have to be ultra critical. I prefer Hopkins as he always circles and is never just there to tee off on.