Some of the examples provided (Byrd, Floyd Patterson...etc.), don't really fit the swarmer style in my mind. I views swarmers as high volume guys who overwhelm their opponents. With that in mind, I would classify Joe C, Prime Manny, Margarito, Paul Williams, Aaron Pryor, Wayne McCollough, and Henry Armstrong as examples of high volume fighters who overwhelmed their opponents.
If the high volume guy has a good chin, I feel that they have the advantage and usually prevail vs the puncher, as the puncher usually becomes exhausted and discouraged. That being said, the swarmer tends to suffer spectacular knockouts once their chin finally does fail them (Margo vs Mosely, Williams vs Sergio Martinez, Hatton vs Manny) because they often walk into big shots.
As for Kostya Tszyu, I classify him as a multidimensional fighter who preferred fighting from the middle distance and had great punching power. He got cocky vs Vince Phillips and old vs Hatton, but on his best nights he would've been a threat to anyone. I would've loved to see him fight Floyd at 140, and while I think Floyd would've pulled it out, I think it would've been very close, and very tough.
Pocket Rocket is a great call and good all around description, tremendous volume with limited pop and more than willing up front. I liked Byrd with swarmer in spots it felt he always tried to over compensate as career went and play that out, get inside and play macho which came crashing back on him more than it saw him win huge. It worked early always smaller vs decent punchers and he more often than not went for the finish. Definitely far sharper than just a swarmer though and good boxing mind with very sound defense. Toney vs Tiberi just pops into mind, lethargic Toney outhustled non stop start to finish mainly. A guy like ultimate swarmer Zack Padilla was cut short.
Padilla is a great call (Tiberi also, but more on him in a minute). If I'm not mistaken, Zack and Ray Olivera still hold the punch stat record for most punches thrown. Don't know how he slipped my mind!
I agree that Tiberi hustled to a win, as did Montell and Drake Thadzi. James was slick and a great counter puncher, but he was very vulnerable to lose to busy guys. It's why I would favor a prime BHop over a prime Toney.
Would you consider prime Duran and JCC volume punchers?
Guys change up very much depending on opponent and Duran was that. When I think Swarmer it's almost a knock and infers near one dimensional. Duran was a diverse boxer puncher, at times much more buzzsaw than swarmer and others a superb counter puncher, but always volume and adapted to find ways to win. A fighters fighter. Chavez not so diverse imo though he was a better boxer prior to 135, on his toes and sharp puncher. As he went and developed almost became more of a stalker with tremendous punch placement. Fast mover fast hands Randall, Whitaker, Taylor gave him problems. Save for Camacho and Lonnie Smith but that more have been more about the 101 butterflies in their head and stomachs . Exactly on Hopkins vs Toney and way I see it had it kicked off. At that point Hopkins was not the lay back sniper laying in and still think the feet of Toney would have been to flat and he'd be outhustled by Hopkins.
@mikeeod Tszyu could’ve moved up to 147 if he wanted challenges but he knew what would’ve happened if he got in there with the likes of Trinidad or Quartey so he stayed put at 140. The reason he never fought Floyd is because he was too busy quitting against Hatton. If Hatton and Phillips are stopping you then elite fighters like Trinidad, Mosley, De La Hoya and Mayweather would completely destroy you.
You make valid points, but would offer the following points of view for discussions sake:
1. Some fighters just have everything click at one specific weight (Kostya, Hagler, Monzon, Aaron Pryor...etc.), and remain at/dominate that weight. It makes the p4p discussion difficult because these guys are so firmidable at that weight, that they just seem unbeatable but never move up or down. Kostya was that fighter at 140.
2. Kostya hit his prime in late 2001/2002 when he was unifying and cleaning out 140, so Tito was at middleweight, Quartey was on a hiatus, Oscar was at 154, and Shane was looking to fight Vernon Forrest. In other words, no big fights available for him at 147 after he stops Judah in 2002.
3. Say what you will about Zab, but he was an undefeated phenom and favored by many to beat Kostya and he was obliterated. On that night anyone who ever fought at 140 has a tough fight on their hands.
4. Vince was HUGE at 140, and went through hell to come from behind and pull out the late stoppage. Ricky was in his prime and basically mauled and wrestled Kostay into submission. I don't see Floyd being as physical as either guy, and think Kostya preferred classic, speedy boxers like Zab and Sharmba Mitchell. I think Floyd wins because he was an ATG, but don't see it being a blowout or easy win at all.
The Judah win was good at the time but Judah went on to be a whipping boy for the big names. Tszyu’s win over Judah is a bit like Calzaghe’s win over Lacy in the sense that it diminished over time. Tszyu did unify a weak division but he only had 34 fights in a 13 year career. I don’t think Mayweather breaks sweat beating Tszyu to be honest. Tszyu vs Gatti would’ve been interesting because Gatti could punch and Tszyu wasn’t hard to find so it would’ve made for exciting action while it lasted. Tszyu did nothing in his career to suggest he could’ve been competitive with Floyd and the difference in speed (and reflexes) would’ve been too much.
Are you saying Zab is as good defensively as Mayweather? Surely not Let’s not forget Judah got beat on his own backyard by Baldomir! Cotto caught Judah but couldn’t catch Floyd. It was a reaching right he caught Judah with when Zab was backing straight up with his head high and hands low. Tszyu isn’t Mosley.
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