Who is the best defensive boxer of all time?

Whitaker might have the best balance p4p some of the things he pulls off is ridiculous.

 

At his best, Pernell Whitaker

 

Its got to be canto for me. Had every physical disadvantage you could think of hight, feather fisted you name it, but through pure ability he'd put on some of the best defensive preferences of all time.

 

Very nice pick. Canto can educate the most seasoned guys something about boxing no doubt.

 

I wonder how far it’d have taken him had he had a similar level of competition to Willie Pep. We never really saw his ceiling.

 

Jones Jr was no slouch at his best.

 

Locche or Toney.

I think two fighters with world class Head movement in recent times are Haye & Canelo.

 

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Blessed with lightning reflexes and mastered the shoulder roll.

 

I'm going to say Starling. I can't remember him taking a beating in any of his bouts or getting tagged alot.
And when you watch him you think ok simple enough:
Put your hands up and create n basically earmuffs.
But if you watch him he's twisting and turning in different angles.

 

Antonio Margarito and Jake LaMotta

 

Probably Pep
Quality of opposition.

 

I understand the folks who adore fighters like Locche and Toney because they could stand right in front of you and make you look like a flailing female, but I see these conversations like I do the best offensive fighter discussions. Robinson is widely touted as the greatest offensive machine ever because of his well-roundedness and I think it's reasonable to want the same on the defensive side. It just seems more valuable to have more options at your disposal. In that regard, I think guys like Pep, Mayweather, and others who could make you miss from anywhere, while being able to move consistently, are the most qualified to be labeled the "greatest".

With that said, my favorites are Griffo, Locche, Lomachenko, Duran, Wolgast, and Lora. I know no one here ever saw Griffo fight, but he could show up drunk and pudgy and make legends look silly. I wrote an article on him awhile back.

 

while they were defensive masters, pep and whitakher were not afraid to go toe to toe and go for the knock out when they sensed it. taking that risk at times places them at the top for me. a fighter is SUPPOSED to take risks!

 

Pernell Whittaker is the most complete defensive fighter ever. Some guys might be better at him at some things (footwork, upper body movement, reflex, shoulder roll, parrying etc). But I don't think anyone does all of those at such a high level as he does.

 

Kelly Pavlik