What do the following fighters have in common?

Excellent.

 

I agree that these guys are among the best technical fighters of recent times (and perhaps all times). The advantage that this all-around skill gives them IMO is that they can keep fighting at higher level longer because their style does not depend as much about physical abilities, but I am not sure such approach is always the correct one.

Think of Jones vs Hopkins comparison: when they were young, Jones won mainly because of his physical advantages and being able to use them for his effect while Hopkins won easily the oldies fight. The question now is, would prime Jones have been a better fighter if he had more of the techniques Hops or Toney had? That, I don't know. I think for example that Cassius Clay was that good much because of what he did wrong, meaning he used his strengths and made them count and reacted all the time on his instinct instead of approaching the fight in a calculated manner.

I am not necessarily against anything you say here and you observation is definitely an interesting one. I am just wondering if it is possible (meaningful) to analyze 'technical skill' on its own at all, because I believe the best technique can be different for different fighters and only results tell the story in the end

 

Yeah we definitely agree on that. I think allowing guys to do 'wrong things' to the extent it lets them take advantage of their gifts is definitely one of the few ways boxing has improved. And if you noticed earlier, although I said Wlad & Pac had massively improved as a result of getting closer to 50/50, I also said it wouldn't benefit either to get on the back foot more given their styles/gifts (ie 'cause both guys can utilize in & out range so well with their height/footspeed respectively (both in Wlads case).

But I do think real & superior (at least in a general sense) skills are just dying out, too. And personally those were what really had me go gaga for boxing. I can't get any enjoyment from watching a mindless goon like Amir Khan no matter how fast his feet are.

 

taught that way

 

Interestingly, in contrast to his brother Vitali spends a fair amount of time on his rear foot (though like Floyd & Pernel, flirts with the lead foot allot to draw leads). I wonder how Ramonza feels about the notion of Vitali actually being way more old school than his brother ::

 

That makes me happy :goodnews: Who taught you?

 

The expert trainers that taught me this were Dickie Wood (that's his real name, trained some lower level heavyweights and pops up now and again) and then reinforced by Kevin Cunningham (Cory Spinks, Devon Alexander) thru some passing advice.

It's crazy, I can't imagine any other way. It's actually rather disgraceful if modern trainers aren't teaching boxer's to fight this way.

 

Freddie Little's another very pronounced rear foot fighter besides Charlie Burley. I have to declare my bias -i LOVE this style. These are the guys who might get out worked and out pointed now and again in their career but who would be extremely difficult to outfight. Craftsmen.

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What a KO.

 

Good thread,
You brought up an interesting dynamic that we often don't consider, although I think from now on we'll notice it alot more.

 

Another style is to put twice your weight on both feet, like Tito.

 

Or to wait to for roots to grow before you throw a shot for added power!:bears: