Well Schooled fighters

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by WhataRock, Oct 15, 2008.


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  1. WhataRock

    WhataRock Loyal Member Full Member

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    You look at fighters like Benitez, Sweet Pea, Jones Jr and Mayweather they are a very physically gifted athletes.
    A lot of what they do comes naturally to them and is instinctive.

    I wanted people to list fighters who werent blessed with a whole lot of physical gifts but really learnt their craft and become successful, highly skilled boxers.


    Im going to name a modern example to give you an idea of the kind of fighters Im talking about.

    Sven Ottke..

    A little bit of handspeed, a little bit of foot speed but in general a very underwhelming physical speciman. But after 300 am fights and 34 pro fights he developed a style and gameplan that got him over the line nearly every time.
    I have actually put my self through some mini ottke marathons and have seen a fair few of his fights..Believe it or not he won a lot of his fights fair and sqaure even if he only did just enough.

    Who else you guys reckon? (Obviously Ottke isnt a prime example compared to a lot of ATG's but you know where im heading at least)
     
    WhataRock, Oct 15, 2008
    WhataRock, Oct 15, 2008
    #1
  2. radianttwilight

    radianttwilight Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Harold Johnson and Bernard Hopkins. True tacticians.
     
    radianttwilight, Oct 15, 2008
    radianttwilight, Oct 15, 2008
    #2
  3. WhataRock

    WhataRock Loyal Member Full Member

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    Ive got to admit I have seen next to nothing of Johnson. So many good names he fought...I know he fought Moore a few times but he fought Charles and Jersey Joe didnt he?
     
    WhataRock, Oct 15, 2008
    WhataRock, Oct 15, 2008
    #3
  4. Sweet Pea

    Sweet Pea Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    Guys like Benitez, Whitaker, and Mayweather are all very well schooled as well, among the best in that regard to go with their reflexes, which enhance their ability. Some are just better than others.

    Joey Archer falls into that category. Excellent technician.
     
    Sweet Pea, Oct 15, 2008
    Sweet Pea, Oct 15, 2008
    #4
  5. sweet_scientist

    sweet_scientist Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Stevie Johnston was a fighter that didn't have much in the way of athletic ability but was very technically sound all the same. He was mentally and physically tough, but not really physically gifted. Just a short, podgy lightweight that knew how to fight.

    He could do it at all ranges and against all styles and arguably didn't lose a fight until way over the hill.
     
    sweet_scientist, Oct 15, 2008
    sweet_scientist, Oct 15, 2008
    #5
  6. My2Sense

    My2Sense Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Kid Gavilan
    Billy Graham
    Winky Wright
     
    My2Sense, Oct 15, 2008
    My2Sense, Oct 15, 2008
    #6
  7. SteveO

    SteveO MSW Full Member

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    I've often heard that Marciano was a HORRIBLE boxer when he started. His trainers reportedly laughed at him because he did everything wrong. He was built from the ground up into a fighter. He had natural power, and his trainers left his right hand alone, but most everything else was manufactured.
     
    SteveO, Oct 15, 2008
    SteveO, Oct 15, 2008
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  8. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Arguello, Buchanan, Hopkins, Billy Conn etc
     
    JohnThomas1, Oct 16, 2008
    JohnThomas1, Oct 16, 2008
    #8
  9. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Joe Louis was a perfect technical puncher who was well balanced with very good footwork.

    I think technical excellence is a little over-rated in terms of defence. Just get out of the way. I mean, there are things that you can do, going under the jab and throwing a left to the body is techncially sound and excellent, but Kelly Pavlik, for example, has excellent hand positioning for defence, but he is not mobile enough with his head or very good at parrying punches. So he can be hit. Sometimes you have to throw out the book a little bit and just get the **** out of the way, though there is always that over-reach between balance and form and making yourself safe in the short term.
     
    McGrain, Oct 16, 2008
    McGrain, Oct 16, 2008
    #9
  10. Holmes' Jab

    Holmes' Jab Master Jabber Full Member

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    I like the Arguello mention. :good
     
    Holmes' Jab, Oct 16, 2008
    Holmes' Jab, Oct 16, 2008
    #10
  11. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    Giardello
    Tapia
    Toney
    Billy Graham
    Napoles
    Eddie Perkins
     
    mcvey, Oct 16, 2008
    mcvey, Oct 16, 2008
    #11
  12. WhataRock

    WhataRock Loyal Member Full Member

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    Virgil Hill, Ricardo Lopez and Burley come to mind.

    And here is one I was thinking of...dare I say Calvin Brock...strange choice perhaps because he was quite underwhelming but whatever he did still worked, he had a good package and above average defence for a heavy.
    For a mid-level contender anyways..
     
    WhataRock, Oct 16, 2008
    WhataRock, Oct 16, 2008
    #12
  13. WhataRock

    WhataRock Loyal Member Full Member

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    Nice
     
    WhataRock, Oct 16, 2008
    WhataRock, Oct 16, 2008
    #13
  14. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Cheers

    :good
     
    JohnThomas1, Oct 16, 2008
    JohnThomas1, Oct 16, 2008
    #14
  15. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Pretty underrated recent fighter in my opinion. Great pick.

    Ivan Robinson was very well schooled at times.
     
    Russell, Oct 16, 2008
    Russell, Oct 16, 2008
    #15
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