Which Heavy weight Champion ?

''Textbook'' is a loaded word as everybody boxes differently.

Many champions have had a conventional style, but if you look its the most un conventional heavyweights who make it in to the top list, Ali, Frazier, Tyson, Lewis, Marciano, Dempsey etc are hardly 'conventional'...

 

Joe Louis under the guidence of Chapie Blackburn, if you were to try and copy the execution of a punch look at Joe, short, compact,presice, and his combo's and jab were the best as far as power combo's. Marciano as far as getting all his weight ,leg,back and arm muscles behind a punch,every shot was dense...Ali for speed, Lennox learned from Manny how to set down on a punch...Louis was the best

 

I dont mean to be rude but what text book? As a coach you go with the flow but there is no such thing as a text-book method ; the so called classical style( jab-back hand) suits mosts guys but crucifies some-to say there is only one way is nonsense.

 

My vote would go for the Bomber. Though I think Tunney was the purest boxer of any of the heavyweight champs.

 

Louis Tyson Tunney and Holmes

 

Jem Mace began the text book, so I guess he is the obvious choice...

 

Text book in the overall sense of the term or the puncher's sense of the term.

If it is the puncher's sense of the term then I would say that Joe Louis is the obvious choice.

But if it is in terms of overall skill and style then my picks would be:

1. Gene Tunney
2. Larry Holmes
3. James Corbett
4. Jersey Joe Walcott
5. Ezzard Charles
6. Evander Holyfield

 

Homes seemed to be a little unorthodox to me in terms of pure text book standards. Sure, he mastered all the basics, but he constantly measured his opponents with his left hand extended in their face. Nothing wrong with this, but it isn't very common among household named fighters. He also resorted to the uppercut, usually when in trouble rather than incorporating during other circumstances. I think Joe Louis in terms of mastering the pure fundamentals of punching, was a good pick. He was almost perfect in every punch that he threw. A real master of his craft.

 

Beleive it our not, Boxing's current #1 heavyweight has text book skills on offense, and defense.

 

Tunney, Louis, Holmes and Lewis.