The most Masterful boxer?

Ricardo Lopez IS boxing. ANyone wants to learn boxing i suggest you study his fights.

 

Toney, Hopkins

 

He is on my list. thumbsup

 

But he was just plain awful to watch.

 

Pernell Whitaker is the most masterful boxer I've ever seen, in many ways he is even more masterful than Hopkins, Leonard or Duran. I know many would disagree, but I think peak Pernell Whitaker is possibly the most skilled boxer of the past 50 years. I don't think he matches Leonard or Duran in terms of p4p greatness, and I think Duran was a better fighter, ie a better fighter h2h at lw, but in terms of pure skill and mastery of the art of boxing, I think Whitaker was peerless. Watch his fights with Haugen, Ramirez, Nelson, Chavez, McGirt. This is strong opposition, and Pea adapts to each fighter and each fight, and is simply stunning to watch. For a man of his size and dimensions, his strength and infighting are incredible. His jab, his defence, his reflexes, his resilience, the guy is just an absolute genius. If he only had heavy punching power, I'd say he'd have been up there with Robinson.

 

i think Williy pep wins hands down, nearlly died in a plane crash and wasnt supposed to walk properly again yet still carried on boxing shortly after it. supposedly won a round without ever throwing a punch(which isnt correct but he didnt throw one for most of the round and still won it) how can you not let this guy in it.
benny lenord is also one of the most masterful boxer's ever to

 

If you closely watch videos of both Hopkins and Mayweather at the earliest stages of their respective careers, you will see that there is a world of difference. Mayweather was born with a tremendous natural talent, Hopkins is really a mediocrity who developed himself into a world class boxer. Mayweather can deal with different styles in different ways. Hopkins, on the other hand, has only one basic way of doing things with a few tactical variations. What Hopkins has learned is ring effective generalship and how to force his opponents to fight his fight. But comparing Hopkins to Mayweather is just plain silly.

 

I agree about Bernard. The man isn't immensely talented per se but he makes use of what he has extremely, extremely well.

 

Juan Manuel Marquez is very skilled, but he's been knocked down a bunch of times so I would not consider him one. I would not consider him as the most masterful fighter. Floyd Mayweather is retired, so Bernard Hopkins would be the next one. Other than that, every fighter is flawed. Winky Wright was very good at his craft as well as Joshua Clottey, he pretty much has his style mastered he just needs a little more tricks in his bag.

 

Mayweather is a "master boxer," Hopkins is a master tactician.

 

Oh yeah James Toney, I'm only talking about recent times, otherwise prime Muhummad Ali would be the GOAT of course.

 

Mayweather is not on the same skill level as Whitaker or Leonard though, no way.