Re: Reflexes a-side, what is the best defence
A defense like Charles Burley or the more orthodox fighter in that time Ezzard Charles is better. With these guys it's not unusual to see them constantly adjusting, even their rhythm of their defense/punches change according to flow of the fight. And against these guys you can't just pick your spot and name your shot.
Now Floyd looked impressive making Philip D. making him miss with his shoulder-rolls and ducking/weaving, but you look at a guy like Willy Pep and he does more than just wear you out. Let's put Willy in that position up against the ropes. For instance he'll miss a left and then lean back, now he's on the ropes. Let's say the poor sucker closes the distance and then-- Willy grabs him behind the elbow and spins him around. Now the positions are reversed and Willy is just beating the hell out of him. He'd do that sometimes or at least keep the guy away, feinting and working to set him up. Like any fighter of worth his defense was always changing.
You see what I mean? The guys with the great defenses were adaptable, had a big bag of tricks and never relied on one way of fighting a guy.
B-Hop is big time film-buff, he can thank Archie Moore and the other old-timers for showing him how it's done. He also knew the dirty tricks as well, he'd bang on you with his shoulders, hit you with fouls so that his opponent is between him and the referee, and most importantly he kept control of the fight.
The way you hold your arms isn't what defense in boxing truly is, it's adapting and setting your opponent up to fight your fight.
If you hear a voice within you saying that I am not a painter, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.
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