I have never understood why guys like Zab Judah, RJJ, Shane MOsley, and even Floyd Mayweather never used more footwork as they neared their prime.
I think it makes life so much easier for a fighter to simply move out of the way. Mayweather did well against Corrales partially because he was effective of staying outside Corrales' range, and moving well off the ropes, but he hardly ever uses lateral movement anymore to avoid the incoming. Against HAtton very rarely did he try to use lateral movement to avoid being caught on the ropes, and even less did he try to make an effort to actually get off the ropes. Roy JOnes Jr. used to also have amazing lateral movement, he used to be very tough to pin on the ropes, but as he reached his late 20's he all the sudden was allowing guys to pin him up against the ropes and hit him to the body.
Zab Judah hardly ever used a lot of movement, but he has such quick feet and reflexes that he could have been virtually unstoppable if he moved more like Leonard used to. I mean Zab's biggest problem is he doesn't open up enough to bang, and he stays far too flat footed in fights which allows his opponent to either get him to the ropes or even hit him in the middle of the ring, but if he was lighter on his feet or moved more he is fast enough that he would have been able to stay out of Baldomir's, Kostya Tszyu's, and Miguel Cotto's range all night, and when they would open up too much that is when he plants himself and lands that left hand.
I just don't get it. You don't even have to move as much as Ali or Leonard, but they should watch Hopkins who isn't the quickest guy, especially when it comes to footspeed, but he is always moving laterally, and he is always finding the right moment to counter, and he was able to nurf Calzaghe, Trinidad, Taylor, and Winky's offense by doing so(along with many others like Howard Eastman, etc.) I just think fighters no matter how athletically gifted need to move if they are pure boxers. If you are in great shape it isn't nearly as hard on your body as being hit on the ropes even if nothing is hitting you cleanly.
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