Not every skilled boxer gets on their bicycle to win.

And if it has become a thing of the past, that doesn't negate the two-tier skillset that IMO makes the best kind of fighting style to employ: aka boxer-puncher.

Salvador Sanchez very skilled, accurate, rarely wasted punches- but didnt run from a fight.

Evander Holyfield well rounded Olympian with accuracy, precision, timing and distance, but if you wanted to fight him- he'd oblige.

Meldrick Taylor, could throw punches in bunches from every angle body to head. Unfortunately his bangers mentality took him to the brink with JCC which ended his career prematurely. (decision mentally broke him down as well) Taylor was beautiful to watch when throwing, Most fighters who throw as fast & as many as he did--- were unorthodox. Not Meldrick: he threw textbook shots by the bunche-just in an avdanced way.

James Toney- Slips, dips, fights at an angle, accurate as hell, but still loved to slug.

I'm not sure if today's boxers overall have the boxer-puncher mentality.

IMO-Pre 1960's most fighters were crude and fought that way.

1970-1990s the majority of fighters began to master the art of hitting and not getting hit- but when they did--these boxers could & would punch it out.


2000-present More and more boxers are looking to survive, make money or pick up a trinket belt without wanting to unify their division. The learn a part of the craft.
& More so today then ever before.... fights don't occur because of haggling for $$$.
Pricing themelves out of a fight.<<<--boxer-punchers IMO don't have that mentality.

Boxers with the bangers mentality, don't get caught up like that because they chase glory, the money follows.

Today however fighters chase $$$, while running from a fight. And if the contract is signed, they may run during the fight, clinch to survive and not to set traps. <<(especially todays HW's)

Today-They might either be a great boxer or a devastating puncher, but fewer fighters today embody both: The style & mentality of the boxer-puncher