What are some examples of success by fighters who had the audacity to defy Teddy Atlas and fight outside their envelope? Roided up PBF vs Ndou Wright vs Vargas
Even Ali's corner wasn't happy about Ali going to the ropes against Foreman. Everyone talks about the "rope-a-dope", I just consider it outfighting someone off the ropes. Ali was winning even before Foreman got tired. Hagler was outside his normal envelope when he came out charging like a bull against Hearns. Usually he was a patient boxer, and when he applied presure, it was more methodical. I don't know what is considered "outside the envelope" for SRL. He was at his most effective when he was boxing flat-footed in the middle of the ring, circling, but considering it "outside his envelope" when he danced against Duran and Hagler seems a little weird to say. He could fight effectively in different styles.
Two things: One, nice call on Hagler-Hearns. The casual media portrays Hagler as a brawler who always fought like he did versus Hearns, when the truth is he implemeted that strategy just for Tommy, because he knew how difficult it is to outbox Hearns. Marv's natural style was as a methodical technician who broke guys down patiently, THEN jumped on then. Two, I really wanna touch upon Leonard-Duran, and the assertion that Ray fought outside of his envelope in the first Duran fight. People act like Leonard's normal style was to dance around like Ali, and that he just planted his feet to prove a point to Duran. In REALITY, Leonard was a very aggressive and offensive fighter at 147, and for the most part stood his ground and attempted to do bodily harm to guys. Now, he DID use a lot LESS movement against Duran than he normally did, but he wasn't fighting completely outside his envelope. I repeat, young Leonard didn't dance and move like Ali or Willie Pep, that's the mainstream misconception. He was an offensive/aggressive fighter who stood his ground. If anything, the REMATCH is when Ray fought outside his envelope, utilizing more movement than he ever did in the past.
Mike Spinks vs Qawi. Leading up the Qawi fight, Spinks was mostly a stationary boxer/puncher who stood in front of guys pumping his great jab, and looking to take them out with the Jinx. But he utilized a lot in and out movement against Qawi. Now admittedly, Spinks' footwork wasn't as graceful as Ali or Leonard, so he often looked awkward as Hell moving, but it was still a masterclass performance over his best opponent at light heavy.