Name some greats who were very good at everything, but not spectacular in any one category. So exceptional physical talents like Leonard, Duran, Robinson, Pac, ect.,..don't belong. The two that immediately come to mind are Carlos Ortiz and Emile Griffith. Both among the finest and most complete technicians OAT, but neither blessed with exceptional speed, power, ect. McCallum applies here as well. Others?
Hagler and bhop to a certain extent. Both were very good all around, but weren't necessary elite anywhere, at least when it comes to atg (unless we count stamina and chin)
Hagler i would consider too talented for this thread. And too good a puncher for this thread. Hagler was extremely talented. Borderline exceptionally talented. Hopkins is a good example here. Hagler was far more talented than a Hopkins or McCallum.
Agreed that Hagler is probably not the best example, but i think it's his slickness more than his power that was exceptional
His switching alone was a natural talent. Countless guys have attempted to be switch hitters. None have ever done it like Marvin, and probably never will. The closest is Bud, but Bud doesn't even do it as seemless as Marv.
Gerry Penalosa? A fine offensive technician, great defensively, with a high level of skills and a granite chin, but lacking the freakish athleticism or talent to truly separate him from the other guys in his era. He also lacked the mindset of very best; often being too 'zen' for his own good. Michael Watson also fits the bill IMO. Very good defensively, good power, good chin, very strong, and the capability to switch his style based on what's in front of him. The Eubank, Lee and Benn fights all showing that. He had the heart of a lion, but in the end, didn't show the type of intangibles needed throughout his career. He wasn't a fighter you could rely on to win a big fight, despite having the ability to beat plenty of top fighters between 160 and 168. In reality, the best jack of all trades is Roberto Duran. Except he wasn't a "Jack of all trades, master of none", he was a master of all of them.
Shout to Chiquita Gonzalez, one of the best switch hitters other than Hagler. I don't think Hagler belongs, he was too good at too many things - 52 KOs in 62 KOs shows exceptional punching, plus he was a masterful boxer. He was a complete fighter rather than just a good jack of all trades. I think Carlos Ortiz is the perfect example for this thread tbh.
Brian Mitchell was solid all around but certainly not outstanding in any area. Harold Brazier, too. He started late and created a very respectable career for himself with hard work and a commitment to mastering the fundamentals.
Not a "Great" Fighter By ANY Means, But Jorge Linares is One of the MORE Versatile, "Jack of All Trades" Combatants of This Particular Era... REED
Alberto Davila, although not considered as a great fighter by any means, is a fighter I would also consider as a jack of all trade fighter. A very capable technician who wasn't blessed with great speed, power, physicality.
I always tend to think that Ortiz was too much of a physical freak at lightweight with atg strength to be quite a very good at everything but great at nothing type. Same for Griffith at welter. Genuinely great timing and technique that Ortiz had too despite not being flashy and atg ring IQ too. Griff the same albeit in a slightly lesser capacity imo. I think Ortiz bordered on being an atg combo puncher too, especially when he had people hurt. Nelson springs to mind a bit more for me, though again you could argue some the categories. He probably hit too hard tbh. Maybe your Richie Kates's and your Rudkins and Davilas. Laciar maybe, but something sits ill with me categorising him as such that I can't put my finger on that should be obvious. Edit: I hadn't seen Davila being mentioned already, good shout.
Oguma I think qualifies. The epitome of workmanlike. Zaragoza maybe to a lesser extent. Brazier and Mitchell were good shouts by grey. Sahaprom? Dunno if George agrees with that one.
Chucho Castillo was too good to be included, but I think he's the most complete bantamweight ever. Him, or Jofre.
Yeah, Chucho was a bit too good. Salavarria maybe. Very few if any weaknesses other than a predilection for the old roids and a fine, well rounded technician. Antonio Gomez the same.
Hagler also had one of the greatest chins ever. But Hopkins and McCallum had great ones themselves. In that sense all 3 were undeniably elite.
Donnie Nietes should be mentioned. So crafty with decent enough speed and power. Very technically efficient fighter.
Nah, Orlando was far too talented to be considered a jack of all trades. He was one of the most physically talented bantamweights of all time. All he was missing was fire, and the willingness to test himself.
Steve Collins, Carl Froch....... both were cagier than advertised and smart enough to have long careers and retire with their brains intact having between them some real stellar names on their resumes. Could go 12, could get a guy out of there- especially Froch- rock solid chins, appreciable speed and movement, good solid fundamentals, could work at pace, could take their time. Both had the jab and threw body shots. Collins actually dropped Eubank off a right hand to the belly, not the head. Froch had an odd sort of jab, Collins was more persistent with it. Both men took absolute "Yowzer" knockdowns- Collins vs Eubank and Froch vs Taylor and got up to win. Both could tear it up or just box. Neither man big, per se, but both were rangy.
