Which light heavyweight had the best defense?

Archie Moore by a mile.

 

Ezzard Charles by a mile.

 

Pastrano was a nightmare to fight. Fast, always on the move, and always had that jab going.

 

This is the best answer, although Archie Moore was cagey good.

 

Dwight Muhammad Quawi by a hair IMO.

 

*Qawi

 

Ya, he's one who would compete. You have to admit though, few were as proficient in defense as the Old Mongoose. Saad Muhammad and the Deputy Sheriff were no masters of defense. Harold Johnson was an excellent defensive fighter, and so was Michael Spinks, but he was not at the top for me. Jose Torres had some defense, but it was nothing special. Most of the 70s-80s generation were not very defense-minded fighters. Galindez, Lopez, and Johnson were straight-up brawlers who you even rarely see on the back foot. Jesse Burnett and Eddie Mustafa Muhammad were fair defense fighters.

 

Tommy Loughran was damn good defensively. Toney and Moore were masters. Of course Tunney and Charles were amazing too.

 

Jack O'Brien, Mike McTigue.

 

Rosenbloom
Slattery
Delaney
Conn
Gibbons
Harvey

 

Yeah, I think you have to make a distinction between the classic defense in which the fighter is taught to be engaged with his opponent and to defend and counter while he is in range and the type of defense in which the fighter uses his feet to dart in and out. Sometimes I think the powers that be (who are they?) should institute two categories of boxing -- (1) the fighters and (2) the runners who stab and grab. Exactly where to draw the line, I'm not sure except I know it when I see it! One thing I will say on Pastrano's behalf is that he didn't do as much grabbing as say, Maxim did. Willie was more of a speed merchant than a runner AND grabber, and that is easier on the eyes and more justifiable, IMO.

 

Roy Jones Jr had great defensive skills, especially considering how often he was knocked out later in his career. He hid his chin for yearrrrssss.

 

I guess running and clinching is a form of defense.