Ring smarts and savvy, despite their lack of ability in other ways? Basically, guys with none too great records but who could give anyone hell regardless because of mass experience, tricks learned in their losing efforts, pure experience, all that. Who comes to mind?
Reggie Strickland, hands down. The King of Soft Opposition, a professional ham and egger. I really enjoyed watching his opening bouts on TV against up and comers. Reggie would mostly toy with them, catching punches on his mitts, ducking and sliding. If he caught a hard shot he'd take a dive and save his noggin for the next six rounder. He had more than 300 fights, lost most of them, and still sounded like a pretty sharp guy with a good sense of humor last time I heard him interviewed. His brother, Jerry, had a similar career, tho' with fewer fights.
I agree, The guy had a really cool style. When they had his interview on HBO real sports I think it was, from the footage he looked real solid. Then they showed his record and I said what the hell is this? I saw a clip of one of his fights. He popped a guy with around 10-12 striaght punches while the guy was whiffing at air. He was looking good. Then the guy threw a hard bodyshot and it looked like Reggie said "screw this" then took a knee and got the hell out of there.
Saoul Mamby Edit: Not that he could be considered a "bad" boxer, but, in many cases, his victories were gained as a result of guile and slickness more than his physical gifts.
I think that had more to do with his clumsy and oafish opponents rather than any ring guile on his part. Vitali Klitschko is a text-book example of someone who got by based on physical talents AS OPPOSED TO ring savvy.
Yup! Take the money and run. Cash that check while it's still good! To give Reggie credit, he always looked in good shape, muscular and well conditioned. He was the kind of fighter I used to see in local gyms who only sparred, never competed, and gave the experienced amateurs and pros absolute fits! He was the boxing equivalent to the traveling bluesman, driving an old Caddie night after night from one gig to another.
Considering the ungodly amount of fights Reggie's had, I'm glad he hasn't gone balls to the walls in even a tenth of them. Guy'd be braindead well before his time if he did. Why bother?
