Pick Your Punch

[marbleheadmaui]

I have to ask, in this case it's an extraordinary punch, a given that is natural? Isn't the jab the basic of fundamental and first taught...as opposed to other shots with more of a pay off and higher difficulty to master?

Do you want Frazier or Virgil Hill .....then again Ruddock and jab were never mistaken for close buds I suppose

The effective jab is actually the hardest thing to teach but those who master it make it look basic and fundamental.

Well yeh. Everything off the jab indeed. Was just thinking of freeing up closet space to focus on foundation of my Frankenstein. All comes down to balance with it huh? A sharp cutting jab is a beautiful thing to watch

I think of Lewis. Not only was it a perfect set up for his right hand but it was also a jack hammer.

Exactly. Had good tempo with it...paw it for range-feel or stuff it. And in the case of Tua use it as masterclass.

I don't think there is a fighter in history that people see greatness in that just eludes me as much as Lennox Lewis. He had a serviceable jab. Hell Evander out jabbed him!

I don't know if it's a blind spot I have or the rest of you are related to Ray Charles

I've struggled with greatness and Lewis in the same room as well but the man had some serious arsenal to accompany his slooow evolution from a new born gazzel with two left feet of a young hvy all the way to a pure jab clinic he put on a 'meh' Tua. He's grown on me as a fighter...might have been picking Mercer, Ruddock, Tua, Bruno, Jackson (), Rahman to beat him. For me Holyfield did that in 2nd fight, but jab or no jab the draw in 1st was garbage. Holy was a boxing fool with snap jab when on point over career but more often then not got sucked into battle. Lennox was a wise man too.

His flaws and non preparation came back to bite him on the ass, I believe in full hindsight it over shadows for some the mans game and career. Can't blame detractors but his losses were avenged, cant ask for more then that. He could be to calm, too mellow but equally methodical and devastating vs Ruddock, Golota, Morrison, Tyson etc. You'll find bigger defenders of him then me but hard jab was more then a whisper and what it set up left marks.
and Ray was a legend

Nicely put all around. I had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Charles perform live I also think What'd I Say is the single greatest song ever sung!