Who are/were the best fighters in terms of pure ability/skills?
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Who are/were the best fighters in terms of pure ability/skills?
Floyd, Pac, Roy Jones, Pernell Whitaker, Sugar Ray Robinson
Sugar Ray Leonard has to be up there.
Yeah he was pretty good
Do you mean natural gifts, natural ability to make people miss, or actual skill?!? All three are different and I would rank guys different in each. Here are a few of my choices:
Naturally gifted: Roy Jones is the poster boy for this category. In his prime he was unbelievably fast, hit ridiculously hard, had natural instinctive ability, razor sharp reflexes and graceful foot movements. I don't consider fast, naturally slick fighters like Floyd and Whitaker in this category because while they were blessed with speed, they didn't have the total package like Roy. Manny and both Sugar Rays belong in this category also, although the Sugar Rays fought in a more traditional/fundamentally sound manner.
Natural defensive ability: Sweet Pea is the prime example for me. He was very creative and just seemed to take more pleasure in making the other guy miss than landing a good shot. Lou Duva said that off the street Pernell was able to stand in front of more experienced fighters and make them miss. Floyd, James Toney and Wilfredo Benitez fit this category well also.
Learned skill: Floyd and BHOP are both poster children for this spot. Unbelievably skilled fighters who are versatile and can do everything in the ring. Other equally great examples are the Sugar Rays, Ricardo Lopez, Mike Mcallum, James Toney, Marvin Hagler and many more.
Would Benitez fit in the naturally gifted category?Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeeod
Other than the one punch knockout of Maurice Hope, I don't recall Benitez having the big punch to go with his speed and reflexes. Not to say that he didn't have decent pop, just saying I don't recall him having the same "WOW" factor in speed AND power departments that Roy and Manny have/had. I think any fighter at the elite level is extremely gifted, but guys like Roy and Manny are just ridiculous and athletically a step above the elite. Meldrick Taylor is a lot like Benitez in my book, where he had natural fighting instincts and just insane speed, but "only" good power. Just my take though, I can see valid points made against how I look at it...Quote:
Originally Posted by VG_AddictWould Benitez fit in the naturally gifted category?Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeeod
Word!:cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeeod
Natural attacking punching ability : Tyson, Hearns, Julian Jackson
Not to be "that guy", but I found it interesting that Manny Steward was quoted as saying Tommy had to be taught to punch like he did/does. I always thought that due to his frame and build Tommy was just a natural puncher. Would post the link but I'm on my phone about to go to church. Anyways, Julian Jackson and Mike Tyson were DEFINITE born punchers.Quote:
Originally Posted by Master
I've always read and heard that punching ability can be improved but the big punch is something you are born with. I always assumed they were talking about improving the delivery.Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeeodNot to be "that guy", but I found it interesting that Manny Steward was quoted as saying Tommy had to be taught to punch like he did/does. I always thought that due to his frame and build Tommy was just a natural puncher. Would post the link but I'm on my phone about to go to church. Anyways, Julian Jackson and Mike Tyson were DEFINITE born punchers.Quote:
Originally Posted by Master
Yes Hearns was also a natural born puncher.Quote:
Originally Posted by beenKOedI've always read and heard that punching ability can be improved but the big punch is something you are born with. I always assumed they were talking about improving the delivery.Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeeodNot to be "that guy", but I found it interesting that Manny Steward was quoted as saying Tommy had to be taught to punch like he did/does. I always thought that due to his frame and build Tommy was just a natural puncher. Would post the link but I'm on my phone about to go to church. Anyways, Julian Jackson and Mike Tyson were DEFINITE born punchers.Quote:
Originally Posted by Master
Thomas Hearns - Incredible boxing skills allied to one punch ending power.
He could box you into oblivion, or knock you into oblivion.
If he had better stamina, he might have been the greatest fighter that ever lived.
Inoue and linares..
Wlad-Master Clincher. Ability to nulify an attack with it.