Underrated Skills Of Legendary Fighters

Chin and heart are two different things, arguably unrelated.

 

They are unrelated but was more referring thag Patterson was kind of infamous for his chin. Didn’t think many knew of his heart. Maybe I’m wrong idk just don’t see it mentioned.

 

BHOP and Archie Moore's ability to relax. Think about how long those guys were able to stay fresh in fights against much younger dudes that were in their physical primes. No wasted motion they knew how relax in the ring and not burn themselves out.

 

Ruben Olivares' boxing ability was seriously class. He had an amazing judgement of rhythm, something that most Boxing fans don't appreciate as they are too literal about technique and aesthetics. It is the difference between monstrous effectiveness and being 'off beat'.

I also think Harada's defense was definitely underrated. He had great distance judgment, a very sneaky rear hand parry and ATG footwork. Dangerous shots from foes such as Jofre and Medel (in the rematch) seemed to 'slide' off him.

 

I'm still confused how people don't see this.

 

I'd say Arguello's handspeed. True, handspeed isn't a skill, so I'll say it's an underrated attribute.

Arguello sometimes has a reputation for being slow and ponderous, but particularly at featherweight he was very quick and explosive.

 

He outboxed Rocky Lockridge by spending most of the fight boxing on the backfoot and using lateral movement. I think he hurt his hand.

 

This is a great attribute that isn’t talked about much. It’s very difficult to stay cool when your fighting much younger opponents

 

Ali's strength has been mentioned, rightly so. I don't think he gets enough acknowledgement for his closing footwork and ability to cut off the ring, probably because opponents tended not to fight him on the back foot more often than not.

Tiger's counter punching ability, punch slipping, defensive reflexes, handspeed and accuracy all get sold short a bit imo, they were a good part of why he was so unbeatable in a slugging match. Boggles my mind when I see people calling him crude or lacking technically. Slow of foot no doubt and could look plodding against smart movement, but if you threw when his feet were set and he read it, he could slip/half duck to his left in the blink of an eye and get off with a pinpoint cluster of shots in surgeonlike fashion very quickly, especially if getting off with his left first. His right counter over the top was damn swift too.

Pac's ability to feint and set traps at the higher weights doesn't always get the credit it deserves. Not Archie Moore exactly but a big weapon against slower, cruder fighters combined with him having carried his speed and punch up.

 

THIS.

 

Durans defensive artistry , proof being I/We have nether seen him with so much as bruise on his countenance despite the 100 fights.

 

Arturo Gatti’s offensive ability....people think of him has just a punching bag ...but this guy could hit back

 

Every other attribute of Larry Holmes besides his jab

 

Michael Spinks’ defense....he was such an awkward looking fighter....but there was a method to his madness indeed

 

Correct. Manny Steward said this as well.