Top 10 most naturally talented fighters you've ever seen?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Bokaj, Aug 7, 2011.


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  1. Pachilles

    Pachilles Boxing Addict Full Member

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    He has some sick reaction time. One of my fav highlight videos, that makes me question my opinion on classic vs modern. Him and Armstrong look as good as anyone ever.
     
    Pachilles, Aug 7, 2011
    Pachilles, Aug 7, 2011
    #31
  2. Longhhorn71

    Longhhorn71 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles when he was just taking over the welterweight division should be considered.

    He would have been "even" money against most of all the other welterwt. champs.
     
    Longhhorn71, Aug 7, 2011
    Longhhorn71, Aug 7, 2011
    #32
  3. SouthpawJab

    SouthpawJab On his way up!! 4-0!! Full Member

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    Roy has taken some good shots on the chin before the 2nd Tarver fight...hell, he took some good ones in the first Tarver fight. His competition was very good. B-Hop, Toney, and McCallum are all hall of Famers. Virgil Hill was a great fighter.
     
    SouthpawJab, Aug 7, 2011
    SouthpawJab, Aug 7, 2011
    #33
  4. Longhhorn71

    Longhhorn71 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Roy Jones, Jr. vs "Slapsie" Maxie Rosenbloom....now that would have been something to see with both of them running & jumping around the ring, and throwing overhand and backhand punches at each other.
     
    Longhhorn71, Aug 7, 2011
    Longhhorn71, Aug 7, 2011
    #34
  5. GPater11093

    GPater11093 Barry Full Member

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    I'm not taking away from Tony here, but physically he aint that talented: He wasnt a murderous puncher; a blazing speed demon; or even a Frred Astairre.

    His defence reflexes are all based on seeing the punch coming and positioning rather than pure reflexes. The most amazing thing about his style is how consistent he is over a fight with it.
     
    GPater11093, Aug 12, 2011
    GPater11093, Aug 12, 2011
    #35
  6. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Yes and no. Toney at MW was a pretty athletic specimen. He had good handspeed, very good reflexes (you don't become that good at slipping punches just by positioning and seeing them coming) a strong punch and a lot of physical strength. He was nowhere near Jones, or very close to even Graham or Nunn, but he was pretty well endowed with athletic ability.
     
    Bokaj, Aug 12, 2011
    Bokaj, Aug 12, 2011
    #36
  7. MagnaNasakki

    MagnaNasakki Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I agree with RJJ and Ali or 1 and 2, because more than anybody I can think of, their natural affinity for the sport and for athletics MADE them. Without his speed and creative use of it, RJJ is not a great. Ali moved around the ring on legs of steel and I've never seen a fighter look as at home in the ring as he did. His relaxation and comfort in the midst of fights with lethal and intimidating monsters, heavyweight legends, really, has yet to be seen again, in my opinion.

    I'd rate Robinson, Duran, and Whitaker next for similar reasons.
     
    MagnaNasakki, Aug 12, 2011
    MagnaNasakki, Aug 12, 2011
    #37
  8. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Yeah, those guys are all up there. Robinson wasn't a defensive marvel as some of these guys, but when you see him throw triple hooks to a guy's jaw like it was the most natural thing in the world...

    Pea was also as natural as they get. It seems to have been an impediment for him as a trainer, though, and I can see why.

    Hamed is not a favourite of mine, but the success he after all had with his very flawed style is amazing. Walcott, Pep and Toney are others that just made it seem so absolutely natural and easy. A guy like Hopkins also exhibit a lot of skill, but he seems drilled and disciplined in a whole other way. These other guys just make it seem like they stepped into the ring the way we see them in their prime.
     
    Bokaj, Aug 12, 2011
    Bokaj, Aug 12, 2011
    #38
  9. GPater11093

    GPater11093 Barry Full Member

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    :lol::lol: I wouldnt know...

    Toney was a stand out athlete at his college was he not?

    I see where your coming from, but I'd say Toney is more talented athletically than Canzi.
     
    GPater11093, Aug 13, 2011
    GPater11093, Aug 13, 2011
    #39
  10. Moe Greene

    Moe Greene Guest

    Chang; Duran; Roy Jones; Pacman; Ali; there are others but these are the first that spring to my mind as of now.
     
    Moe Greene, Aug 13, 2011
    Moe Greene, Aug 13, 2011
    #40
  11. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    :D But how you wish you did.

    There seems to be some confusion here. I was talking about Toney's athletic ability (or endowement if so you will:D), so it seems we are kind of in agreement.
     
    Bokaj, Aug 13, 2011
    Bokaj, Aug 13, 2011
    #41
  12. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    In no order:

    Sugar Ray Robinson
    Willie Pep
    Muhammad Ali
    Sugar Ray Leonard
    Meldrick Taylor
    Roy Jones Jr.
    Pernell Whitaker
    Naseem Hamed
    Hector Camacho
    James Toney

    Currently, the most naturally talented I've seen right now are:
    Manny Pacquiao
    Floyd Mayweather Jr.
    Yuriorkis Gamboa
    Nonito Donaire
    Sergio Martinez
    Gary Russell Jr.
    Andre Dirrell
     
    Flo_Raiden, Aug 13, 2011
    Flo_Raiden, Aug 13, 2011
    #42
  13. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Gianfranco Rosi.
     
    Seamus, Aug 13, 2011
    Seamus, Aug 13, 2011
    #43
  14. GPater11093

    GPater11093 Barry Full Member

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    Yeh, I'm not sure if were talking about his ***** or not.
     
    GPater11093, Aug 13, 2011
    GPater11093, Aug 13, 2011
    #44
  15. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Wilfredo Gomez early career had talent to burn.
     
    JohnThomas1, Aug 13, 2011
    JohnThomas1, Aug 13, 2011
    #45
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