Most Improved Fighters

[amat]

Since they first broke on the...title scene. Obviously prospects improve into contenders but what guys have really either added or rounded out there skill sets significantly since first bursting onto the title scene.

The obvious two who jump to mind are the two fighting each other in December, Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto.

With Pacquiao it's plain as day to see, it would be rough to say he's 1 dimensional even when he beat Barrera but just watched his fight in San Francisco versus Agapito Sanchez and it's amazing how one dimensional he was. The left was basically it for Pacquiao and stayed that way, his defense wasn't anything special and while the speed and power combination was there,his balance wasn't. Just remarkable how much he has improved under Freddy Roach. People who say Roach is overrated and just stumbled upon Pacquiao are just in plain denial. Look at the work he has done on Pac's in/out movement, balance, punch arsenal/selection, composure he has really become a different fighter.

Cotto is much the same, perhaps not as dramatically improved but he did add a whole new skillset. He now has a jab that is among boxing's best, he has learned how to win rounds, do more then just mindlessly go forward,ect. Look at his approach in the Ricardo Torres fight,which was mindless just walk the guy down, fire punches, wear him down. He won a firefight in that one. Fast forward to the Carlos Quintana fight and that was the beginning of the turnaround that saw him outbox Shane Mosley down the stretch of their fight.

Another one, Timothy Bradley. I got to give him credit, same thing go back to the pre-Witter days,I was never impressed all that much with Bradley. I thought he was lethargic sometimes even now he is one of the better high energy, high output fighters in boxing. He's done a good job shortening his punches and his speed has definitely increased, and by a good measure too.

Thoughts?

[jon09]

I know alot of people, me included don't care for him but John Ruiz has improved since his ko to David Tua the only people to really convincingly beat the guy were Tua, Jones and hulked up Toney.

[killersheep]

Hasegawa has made quite a notable improvement over the last year, by using better form on his punches.

[Jimanuel Boogustus]

I think the fighters who do best in this particular scenario are the ones who are forced to rely more on their boxing abilities rather than their athletic abilities though age or just moving up a few weight classes. (or both)

Bernard Hopkins & James Toney are two that spring to mind

[CutMeMick]

Excuse me, while I haven't been up on my boxing like before so here are some that come to mind.

Toshiaki Nishioka - Talk about grabbing the bull from the horns. This dude is the real deal IMO. Would love to see him fight Rafa Marquez.

Edgar Sosa - He loses early in his carrer to "Archie" Solis, "Chango" Vargas and "Nino" Romero. Then beats Viloria and is currently working on his 11th defense of his title and fights 4 times a year. However I think like DPDL he's overworking himself. I think 3 fights a year is fine.

Anselmo Moreno - What a calm and collected fighter he is. You don't see him panic and you see him so laid back. At times maybe too relaxed but nonetheless he get's the job done. His style somewhat reminds me of Sweet Pea but minus the flashyness.

Steven Luevano - I still can't believe this is the same little scrawny kid I used to see weekly on Solo Boxeo de Miller. Not only has he vastly improved but he's def. one of the better counter punchers out there.

[jahmez]

Definately agree with Jimboogie, Hopkins really stepped up in class. I know alot of people have been talking down the Jones rematch and I'll admit it won't be the greatest benchmark but to see how effective Hopkins counters this time around alone is peaking my interest.

[Rican]

Since they first broke on the...title scene. Obviously prospects improve into contenders but what guys have really either added or rounded out there skill sets significantly since first bursting onto the title scene.

The obvious two who jump to mind are the two fighting each other in December, Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto.

With Pacquiao it's plain as day to see, it would be rough to say he's 1 dimensional even when he beat Barrera but just watched his fight in San Francisco versus Agapito Sanchez and it's amazing how one dimensional he was. The left was basically it for Pacquiao and stayed that way, his defense wasn't anything special and while the speed and power combination was there,his balance wasn't. Just remarkable how much he has improved under Freddy Roach. People who say Roach is overrated and just stumbled upon Pacquiao are just in plain denial. Look at the work he has done on Pac's in/out movement, balance, punch arsenal/selection, composure he has really become a different fighter.

Cotto is much the same, perhaps not as dramatically improved but he did add a whole new skillset. He now has a jab that is among boxing's best, he has learned how to win rounds, do more then just mindlessly go forward,ect. Look at his approach in the Ricardo Torres fight,which was mindless just walk the guy down, fire punches, wear him down. He won a firefight in that one. Fast forward to the Carlos Quintana fight and that was the beginning of the turnaround that saw him outbox Shane Mosley down the stretch of their fight.

Another one, Timothy Bradley. I got to give him credit, same thing go back to the pre-Witter days,I was never impressed all that much with Bradley. I thought he was lethargic sometimes even now he is one of the better high energy, high output fighters in boxing. He's done a good job shortening his punches and his speed has definitely increased, and by a good measure too.

Thoughts?

I always thought Cotto had the skills he is currently showing more of. I mean, he had an extensive amateur career and is probably the most decorated Puerto Rican amateur in history. That's a lot of boxing. It's just that there were times during his youth and inexperience as a pro that Cotto made questionable decisions, perhaps egged on by his hometown crowd (such as his decision to abandon all defense and slug it out with Chop Chop in Puerto Rico), or his lack of regard for his opponents' punching power (such as against Ricardo Torres). At this point, I always felt he was believing the hype about himself and wanted to KO everyone while forgetting that "slow and steady wins the race." Since then, he has been more deliberate and methodical and if he approaches Manny this way, I don't see how he can lose.

[Spicoli]

Totally agree on Bradley Amat.Taking strides against recent top level comp,headbutt or no headbutt.Another to me,though eartly is Joseph Agbeko vs Darchinyan...that shocked the shite outta me,his controlled boxing and gameplan.

[Jimanuel Boogustus]

Since they first broke on the...title scene. Obviously prospects improve into contenders but what guys have really either added or rounded out there skill sets significantly since first bursting onto the title scene.

The obvious two who jump to mind are the two fighting each other in December, Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto.

With Pacquiao it's plain as day to see, it would be rough to say he's 1 dimensional even when he beat Barrera but just watched his fight in San Francisco versus Agapito Sanchez and it's amazing how one dimensional he was. The left was basically it for Pacquiao and stayed that way, his defense wasn't anything special and while the speed and power combination was there,his balance wasn't. Just remarkable how much he has improved under Freddy Roach. People who say Roach is overrated and just stumbled upon Pacquiao are just in plain denial. Look at the work he has done on Pac's in/out movement, balance, punch arsenal/selection, composure he has really become a different fighter.

Cotto is much the same, perhaps not as dramatically improved but he did add a whole new skillset. He now has a jab that is among boxing's best, he has learned how to win rounds, do more then just mindlessly go forward,ect. Look at his approach in the Ricardo Torres fight,which was mindless just walk the guy down, fire punches, wear him down. He won a firefight in that one. Fast forward to the Carlos Quintana fight and that was the beginning of the turnaround that saw him outbox Shane Mosley down the stretch of their fight.

Another one, Timothy Bradley. I got to give him credit, same thing go back to the pre-Witter days,I was never impressed all that much with Bradley. I thought he was lethargic sometimes even now he is one of the better high energy, high output fighters in boxing. He's done a good job shortening his punches and his speed has definitely increased, and by a good measure too.

Thoughts?

I always thought Cotto had the skills he is currently showing more of. I mean, he had an extensive amateur career and is probably the most decorated Puerto Rican amateur in history. That's a lot of boxing. It's just that there were times during his youth and inexperience as a pro that Cotto made questionable decisions, perhaps egged on by his hometown crowd (such as his decision to abandon all defense and slug it out with Chop Chop in Puerto Rico), or his lack of regard for his opponents' punching power (such as against Ricardo Torres). At this point, I always felt he was believing the hype about himself and wanted to KO everyone while forgetting that "slow and steady wins the race." Since then, he has been more deliberate and methodical and if he approaches Manny this way, I don't see how he can lose.

I almost feel glad that a Cotto fan just said that. I can't agree enough!!!

I feel it's all down to the testicular fortitude and the whiskers of the guy infront of him... If Cotto truely belives he can blast his way out of trouble, then he just keeps on banging away.

'Tis the same reason why he's putting little Pacqauio to sleep