Underrated Skills Of Legendary Fighters

Whitaker's body punching

Chiquita Gonzalez 's boxing ability and movement

 

Rocky Marcianos defense
Ali’s power/strength
Floyd Patterson’s heart
Mayweather ability to adapt

 

Julio, Sr's boxing ability and slickness. Before he got to be the bloated King commodity he had very dynamic skills to go along with his terrific motor and heart.

 

JCC has gotten some mentions already, but one of the things that stands out to me is his footwork is top notch especially in regard to placement and balance.

 

I used to try to copy his tiny steps. Always in position, always balanced.

 

The latter two seem to me to be among the first strengths brough up for those fighters.

 

Maybe Mayweather but often Patterson is known for his chin. Forgetting how he would get up.

 

Roy Jones ring IQ

 

True across the board. Tyson was definitely an aggressive counterpuncher before 1989.

 

Good one. I do think the vast majority realize his strength but there's still plenty that don't grasp his power which tho not outstanding is quite good when called upon. I see many state it like it's a given that Holmes hits harder and that definitely isn't the case for me. Holmes probably hit consistently harder (particularly later when Ali toyed a lot at times) but peak Ali had that crisp sharpness to his punches when he threw them with intent and his best right hands were quite effective.

 

He stopped a few men with solid chins like Foreman, Liston, Bonavena, Frazier, to name a few.

 

Absolutely. First guy to stop Lyle as well tho his (Ali) best days were gone.

 

Eusebio Pedroza. The man had excellent footwork and positioning to go along with his many many talents.

 

Carmen Basilio- defensive skill, primarily based on his exceptional head and upper body movement