Voldemort Kritschgau has the best heavyweight left hook of all time

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Slyk, Apr 30, 2020.


  1. Slyk

    Slyk Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I understand this is a position that most people will disagree with. The title of this thread is irresistible to a classic forum specialist who has a rant ready to go about lost training methods and how boxing isn't what it used to be. That said, let's define what's meant by the best left hook.

    The criteria I'm looking at include: speed, power, accuracy, variation, balance. If you believe there is a heavyweight that has a better overall left hook when combining these categories, please explain.

    Speed - There are a few heavyweights that come to mind as throwing a faster left hook than Vladimir. A prime Mike Tyson had very fast hands (the other Tyson isn't so slow either). That being said, for a modern superheavy Vladimir was extremely fast.

    Power - This is a category where the Klitschko left hook has little competition. The amount of ONE-PUNCH left hook knockouts Vladimir has racked up is staggering, especially against high level competition. This is where the golden era boxing historians can chime in and let everyone know that "Joe Frazier could've knocked out a bull elephant with his left".

    Accuracy - An underrated category. One of the things that makes Klitschko's left hook so accurate is that guys are scared to death of the right hand. The jab and the right hand get so much respect that it opens people up for the left hook. This is something that detracts from the left hook of a fighter like Frazier - fighters are looking out for his best weapon and can neutralize it more effectively. We saw Vladimir miss a lot of fully loaded left hooks against Joshua, but at 41 and in a grueling fight it's hard to hold too much against him.

    Variation - This is what sets the Klitschko left hook apart from the rest. Beautifully hooking off the jab, hooking out of a clinch (Shufford), leaping left hook (Pulev), quadrupling up the hook a la RJJ (Mormeck), throwing a "no look" hook. I can't imagine ANY of the current superheavy's trying to throw a leaping left hook and not looking like Wilder. It's true that the left hook to the body was not really there, but people need to understand that heavyweight boxing is almost a different sport. The risk of going downstairs is much, much higher.

    Balance - Vladimir had exceptional footwork and as a result, good balance. Plenty of fighters could attempt the left hook in more interesting variations, but their balance would fail them.
     
  2. miniq

    miniq AJ IS A BODYBUILDING BUM Full Member

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    Do I really have to post videos of him missing that telegraphed garbage hook all the time?

    Couldn't even land it on Fury so he didn't bother to even throw it

    AJ totally gassed out slipped that 3/4+ times in round 6

    He doesn't even know how to throw hooks inside he's so useless

    Where is his left hook to the liver? one of the most important punches in boxing for an orthodox fighter.

    Joe Frazier is spinning in his grave.
     
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  3. Eggman

    Eggman "The cream of the crop! Nobody does it better! Full Member

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    Only got pulev with it because they were on a bouncy castle
     
  4. miniq

    miniq AJ IS A BODYBUILDING BUM Full Member

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    The Wlad bouncy castle

    I wonder if he used it on Povetkin, he literally pushed and manhandled Povetkin to the canvas for 2 knockdowns in round 7

    People like to ignore this fact
     
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  5. Eggman

    Eggman "The cream of the crop! Nobody does it better! Full Member

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    haye pulev povetkin all got the famous bouncy castle
     
  6. Pugilist Specialist

    Pugilist Specialist Active Member banned Full Member

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    Gotta go with Tommy Morrison for best left hook
     
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  7. Eggman

    Eggman "The cream of the crop! Nobody does it better! Full Member

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    Frazier Tyson tua
     
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  8. Eggman

    Eggman "The cream of the crop! Nobody does it better! Full Member

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    Gerry cooney
     
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  9. latineg

    latineg user of dude wipes Full Member

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    no its not.

    its very good for sure, but not the best.

    Tysons was more accurate and quicker imo, Tua, Frasier, Morrison I would rate higher for the left hook. Yep even Cooneys was a far bigger part of his arsenal than Vlads.

    I just saw Vlad miss one too many left hooks over the years, so on power he is right up there but I feel his accuracy with it wasn't as good as some of the other elite left hookers.
     
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  10. Charles Dance

    Charles Dance Member banned Full Member

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  11. Eggman

    Eggman "The cream of the crop! Nobody does it better! Full Member

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    cooneys hook is always forgotten
     
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  12. The Real Lance

    The Real Lance Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    His left hook was devastating. His left jab to hook really was a thing of beauty.
     
  13. latineg

    latineg user of dude wipes Full Member

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    I have marveled at it over the years, that gangly body of his, skinny shoulders (for a big guy), lack of muscle tone, BUT, he could just whip that left hook with speed and power. Plus very accurate.
     
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  14. Boxing2019

    Boxing2019 If you want peace, prepare war. banned Full Member

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    Prime Foreman walking hooks forgotten too.
     
  15. Eggman

    Eggman "The cream of the crop! Nobody does it better! Full Member

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    he had his own little twist on it, was unique