What signifies a defensive technician?

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#2 is a big point for me, which might sound a little silly when you say 'somebody who doesn't get hit yet doesn't expend any energy' but I mean somebody who doesn't have to sit there and soak up shots on there arms and gloves or run around the ring constantly. Somebody like Hopkins. He doesn't do either of those things, his stance and body/hand position is probably the most important aspect of his defence. He shuts down his opponents hole line of attack and doesn't present any openings.

 

This should be a most interesting thread for me...I'll take it all in before I chip in.

 

Me and my mate where watching some youtube highlight vids yesterday and he pointed out that Randy Turpin's defence was nice. I don't know if that vid reflects the rest of his career but it was a snippet from one of the Robinson fights. Anyway, on the thread topic, i know i'm sounding a bit like a broken record, but Bernard Hopkins is one of the ultimate defensive technicians. Marc Johnson's defence is technically sublime, i don't know if some will argue that his reflex ability is great and therefore denotes that it wasn't all technical skill that drove his defence, but if you look at even the way he's throwing his jab, he's stepping forward and off to an angle on his right, keeping his chin down, bending his legs a bit, arms up, elbows up, leaning over, all to minimise the possibility of being hit himself.

His reflexes were good but look at the bobbing and weaving, it's skill-

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofNJ-CEvoxY&feature=related[/ame]

 

You want a simple definition - using technical skills to make your opponent miss and be able to counter*.

* As I regard a good defence as one that allows you to not be hit and hit back.

So I pretty much agree with you.

 

I don't think relying on athletic ability as little as possible is great wording. I think great technicians should maximise and harness the athletic ability they have to its utmost.

So what you are wanting is a break down on the technical skills that make a good defence?

 

I did a post a while back on my 3 pillars of defence.

I'll report back here sometime next week and expand on it.

 

There are many examples of what makes a defensive technician. So many varied styles.
But it is the results that count. Such as great defensive fighters, who went through long careers, without hitting ability,and seldom being stopped. Such as--
Jack Britton-344 bouts, stopped ONCE in first year..
Billy Graham-126 bouts, never kod.
Benny Valger-208 bouts, NEVER kod- couldn't break an egg.
Willie Pep-uncanny ability to avoid punches..
Pernell Whitaker- not a big puncher, but sly and slippery..
To be successful,because of lack of puching power, they were all great defensive
specialists,in their own style...

 

This:deal

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81non05aKX4[/ame]


and this :deal

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4E2BEE8Ce70&feature=related[/ame]


and this too :deal

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R78hdxpRfws&feature=related[/ame]


and even this :yep

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9b0yHvw-vW0[/ame]

 

If he repeatedly avoids punches, good shot he's defensively adroit.

 

chris byrd deserve a shout.