Best defensive performances ever?

Discussion in 'General Boxing Discussion' started by George Crowcroft, May 9, 2025.

  1. George Crowcroft

    George Crowcroft "Twinkle Toes" McJack

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    The obvious one is Locche vs Fuji so I'll just get it right out of the way.

    Zapata vs Penalosa is the one I'll nominate. Freakish movement and reflexes from Zapata.
     
  2. Xplosive

    Xplosive X-MOD Bad Motherfucker

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    Nunn-Tate is up there. Nunn stood directly in front of Tate, lit him up from all angles, and Tate couldn't lay a glove on him.

    In a similar performance, Pedroza vs Ford also comes to mind.
     
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  3. Flo-Raiden

    Flo-Raiden Undisputed Champion

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    Miguel Canto vs Antonio Avelar
    Winky Wright vs Felix Trinidad
    Miguel Lora vs Daniel Zaragoza
    Gilberto Román vs Sugar Baby Rojas 2
    Sumbu Kalambay vs Mike McCallum 1
     
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  4. Erratic

    Erratic "Twinkle Toes" McJack

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    Duran-Dejesus 3
    Kalambay-McCallum 1
     
  5. Explosivo

    Explosivo Undisputed Champion

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    Duran’s defense against Hagler,..who was a fucking beast,..was impressive
     
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  6. puerto rock

    puerto rock WBC Silver Diamond Emeritus Champ

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    Whitaker vs Ramirez 2
     
  7. Neil

    Neil tueur de grenouilles

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    Sure wasn't lee wood. Cacace couldn't miss that bloke
     
  8. ButterbeansDad

    ButterbeansDad Leap-Amateur

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    Sal Sanchez went into slickster mode in the Danny Lopez rematch. It was a great defensive performance but Lopez wasn't exactly a prime Hearns in the offensive department.
     
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  9. Hut*Hut

    Hut*Hut The Mackintosh of temazepam

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    Whether it's one of the absolute best or not, Toney-Barkley immediately came to mind. Beautiful defence without fighting 'defensively' at all.
     
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  10. Erratic

    Erratic "Twinkle Toes" McJack

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    Whitaker against De La Hoya. His offense was lacking, but defense was brilliant, especially given the caliber of opponent and Whitaker being on the downside.
     
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  11. George Crowcroft

    George Crowcroft "Twinkle Toes" McJack

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    I've always thought Wright vs Tito was a damn fine showing of a high guard.

    Hopkins vs Tito too, actually.

    Poor Tito lmao
     
  12. Xplosive

    Xplosive X-MOD Bad Motherfucker

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    Jones-Toney has gotta be up there.

    Also, a VERY slept on and underrated one -- Monzon vs Griffith 1. Griffith couldn't lay a glove on Monzon.
     
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  13. Irish

    Irish Yuge, Beautiful

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    Tony was stone-dead at the weight. Eating lettuce and getting shots to take a piss.
     
  14. Irish

    Irish Yuge, Beautiful

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    Hopkins Vs Jones I was good. Jones was knocking guys out. Not so Hopkins. Hopkins also got his own shots off.
     
  15. Flo-Raiden

    Flo-Raiden Undisputed Champion

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    Bernard Hopkins’ performance against Kelly Pavlik and Antonio Tarver was masterful stuff.

    Marlon Starling vs Lloyd Honeyghan
    Guillermo Rigondeaux vs Nonito Donaire
    Anselmo Moreno vs Vic Darchinyan
    Chris Byrd vs David Tua
     
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  16. Irish

    Irish Yuge, Beautiful

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    Byrd Vs anybody was usually excellent even if he lost he had guys missing.
     
  17. Hut*Hut

    Hut*Hut The Mackintosh of temazepam

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    Albeit Winky greatly aided by Tito responding to a southpaw like he was reading an instruction manual upside down
     
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