Tools of the Trade - Classic/Retired (Your Input Required!)

:readthre: :readthre: :readthre: :readthre: :readthre: :readthre: :readthre: :readthre: :readthre: :readthre: :readthre: , please.

Below is a list of what I consider to be the fundamental boxing skills (in that they are variables that can be "worked on"). Five for offense, three for defense, and three intangibles.

Please list your nominations for the best practitioners of each particular skill at each weight class among inactive fighters (clear your mind, be objective, put on the horseblinders and think in very specific terms). For organizational purposes we will define "inactive" as > 18 months since last ring appearance.

If you're not as familiar with a particular weight (or familiar enough to pick for any one particular skill) - leave that one blank. Best that the data collected be based on people's best informed opinions, rather than everybody just putting something down for the sake of putting something down. Take your time - feel free to post a partial list and edit/add to it at your leisure. I will not be compiling the final lists for a while...cut-off date will be announced with ample notice.

Please feel free to discuss your own picks or anybody else's - please for organizational purposes keep the discussion separate from the actual picks. Put your picks in ONE (1) post that quotes this original one. Any changes or additions you want to make, make them as an edit to that ONE (1) post. In that ONE (1) post that serves as your official submissions, please restrict yourself to ONE (1) choice for each skill for each weight - no runners-up (these can be discussed in subsequent/separate posts). It would be great if everyone could back up their nominations with some analytical discussion, but I would ask that you abide by the organizational structure described above. ONE (1) clear post with your picks and just your picks; the rest of the thread to justify them or critique those of others (or give shout-outs to runners-up if you feel you must).

Results will be compiled and published as the collective majority opinion of ESB. All are encouraged to participate to the full extent of their frame of reference.

Best jab (by itself on its own merit as a single punch or doubled/tripled/quadrupled up with additional jabs, not in conjunction with any other punch type as part of a combination - any criteria is acceptable - use as a rangefinder, earning respect, creating distance, setting up offense etc.)
Heavyweight:
Cruiserweight:
Light Heavyweight:
Super Middleweight:
Middleweight:
Junior Middleweight:
Welterweight:
Light Welterweight:
Lightweight:
Super Featherweight:
Featherweight:
Super Bantamweight:
Bantamweight:
Super Flyweight:
Flyweight:
Light Flyweight:
Minimumweight:

Best straight left/right (as a lead or part of a 1-2 - use your own judgment and criteria - these can be further broken down in a separate post)
Heavyweight:
Cruiserweight:
Light Heavyweight:
Super Middleweight:
Middleweight:
Junior Middleweight:
Welterweight:
Light Welterweight:
Lightweight:
Super Featherweight:
Featherweight:
Super Bantamweight:
Bantamweight:
Super Flyweight:
Flyweight:
Light Flyweight:
Minimumweight:

Best hook (as a lead or part of a combination - use your own judgment and criteria - these can be further broken down in a separate post)
Heavyweight:
Cruiserweight:
Light Heavyweight:
Super Middleweight:
Middleweight:
Junior Middleweight:
Welterweight:
Light Welterweight:
Lightweight:
Super Featherweight:
Featherweight:
Super Bantamweight:
Bantamweight:
Super Flyweight:
Flyweight:
Light Flyweight:
Minimumweight:

Best overhand (as a lead or part of a combination - use your own judgment and criteria - these can be further broken down in a separate post)
Heavyweight:
Cruiserweight:
Light Heavyweight:
Super Middleweight:
Middleweight:
Junior Middleweight:
Welterweight:
Light Welterweight:
Lightweight:
Super Featherweight:
Featherweight:
Super Bantamweight:
Bantamweight:
Super Flyweight:
Flyweight:
Light Flyweight:
Minimumweight:

Best uppercut (as a lead or part of a combination - use your own judgment and criteria - these can be further broken down in a separate post)
Heavyweight:
Cruiserweight:
Light Heavyweight:
Super Middleweight:
Middleweight:
Junior Middleweight:
Welterweight:
Light Welterweight:
Lightweight:
Super Featherweight:
Featherweight:
Super Bantamweight:
Bantamweight:
Super Flyweight:
Flyweight:
Light Flyweight:
Minimumweight:

Best guard (single or double hand - use your own judgment and criteria - these can be further broken down in a separate post)
Heavyweight:
Cruiserweight:
Light Heavyweight:
Super Middleweight:
Middleweight:
Junior Middleweight:
Welterweight:
Light Welterweight:
Lightweight:
Super Featherweight:
Featherweight:
Super Bantamweight:
Bantamweight:
Super Flyweight:
Flyweight:
Light Flyweight:
Minimumweight:

Best slip (head or body movement, on or off ropes - use your own judgment and criteria - these can be further broken down in a separate post)
Heavyweight:
Cruiserweight:
Light Heavyweight:
Super Middleweight:
Middleweight:
Junior Middleweight:
Welterweight:
Light Welterweight:
Lightweight:
Super Featherweight:
Featherweight:
Super Bantamweight:
Bantamweight:
Super Flyweight:
Flyweight:
Light Flyweight:
Minimumweight:

Best footwork (any aspect: keeping constantly squared up, effectively moving out of range after attacking, turning an opponent - use your own judgment and criteria - these can be further broken down in a separate post)
Heavyweight:
Cruiserweight:
Light Heavyweight:
Super Middleweight:
Middleweight:
Junior Middleweight:
Welterweight:
Light Welterweight:
Lightweight:
Super Featherweight:
Featherweight:
Super Bantamweight:
Bantamweight:
Super Flyweight:
Flyweight:
Light Flyweight:
Minimumweight:

Best stamina (any aspect, ability to flurry without getting punched out, ability to remain active down the stretch in longer bouts, ability to absorb sustained punishment particularly to the body and endure at a competitive level - use your own judgment and criteria - these can be further broken down in a separate post)
Heavyweight:
Cruiserweight:
Light Heavyweight:
Super Middleweight:
Middleweight:
Junior Middleweight:
Welterweight:
Light Welterweight:
Lightweight:
Super Featherweight:
Featherweight:
Super Bantamweight:
Bantamweight:
Super Flyweight:
Flyweight:
Light Flyweight:
Minimumweight:

Best physicality (this one is even a bit more subjective and requires a little in the way of explanation: can include clinching/grappling, things like punching out of a break, following through with a punch using the forearm and elbow - efficacy moreso than legality is the key focus here, so anything that's gotten away with without being officially ruled a foul whether perhaps it ought to be - use your own judgment and criteria - these can be further broken down in a separate post)
Heavyweight:
Cruiserweight:
Light Heavyweight:
Super Middleweight:
Middleweight:
Junior Middleweight:
Welterweight:
Light Welterweight:
Lightweight:
Super Featherweight:
Featherweight:
Super Bantamweight:
Bantamweight:
Super Flyweight:
Flyweight:
Light Flyweight:
Minimumweight:

Best adaptability (again, subjective; think of implausible or impressively mold-breaking adjustments, multiple adjustments being made within a single fight, etc. - use your own judgment and criteria - these can be further broken down in a separate post)
Heavyweight:
Cruiserweight:
Light Heavyweight:
Super Middleweight:
Middleweight:
Junior Middleweight:
Welterweight:
Light Welterweight:
Lightweight:
Super Featherweight:
Featherweight:
Super Bantamweight:
Bantamweight:
Super Flyweight:
Flyweight:
Light Flyweight:
Minimumweight:

Things that one would not classify as "skills" (ie which the individual can not control through discipline and training) like punch resistance, punch recovery, and handspeed have been omitted intentionally. Please refrain from suggesting or adding new skills to evaluate in this thread.