The differences between even the footwork of world class fighters boxing today is marginal. Then you have all the different styles. Then you have what those styles helped individual fighters achieve. The idea that a meaningful top ten can be produced is not sensible by my eye.
Floyd....lloyd...at 147...nunn.....and foreman mk 1 had incredible footwork...look at how he pivoted messed with frazier in 72
Another guy that comes to mind is BHOP. He had excellent footwork and was amazing at attacking from angles and creating and taking away space. Watch his fights with punchers like Pavlik and Cloud. Neither of those guys were ever able to set their feet so they could punch. He completely took away any offense that they had all the while he was creating openings for himself.
Sugar Ray Robinson Pernell Whittaker Sugar Ray Leonard Willie Pep Jose Napoles I'd have these 5 in there or close by
I would divide it into different styles: 1. Slick boxers 2. Boxer punchers 3. Swarmers Pep would be a great pick for Slick boxers. Ali and Jones Jr. are great picks too as they were unorthodox. Joe Louis is a great pick for boxer-punchers as his footwork was designed to conserve energy and slowly cut the ring off to set up those super quick combinations Among swarmers, Joe Frazier is a great pick as he was so good at trapping his opponents and not letting slick boxers escape. Its hard to come up with a top 10. Perhaps we can come up with a top 10 each for the three styles above
@Pat M i always appreciate your takes on fundamentals, so while I am not looking/asking for a list who are some guys past and present that you find to have top notch foot work and placement? And what stands out to you that they do very well? Thanks in advance if you are inclined to share.