This may or may not be a silly question but is his style a genuine innovation? I can't think of a single fighter I've seen before who turned with punches in a shell, back and forward like that. His father or Uncle certainly didn't (that I've ever seen). Guys have obviously fought out a philly shell before and shoulder rolled the right but I don't remember ever seeing anyone turn with shots back and forward with combos staying in the tight shell the way Floyd does. It's such a simple technique yet is it an innovation of Floyd's? Can anyone show me someone doing it before?
Can you name a guy who employed this defensive style? Or when was the last guy to come along with a successful tactic in boxing that was genuinely innovative? Not worth noting? Yeah you're right what a fucking stupid thread, lets get back to talking about whether Vitali should be more 'pissed off' in fights.
Shoulder roll but never a shoulder roll in that way floyd does it; shelled up and turning back and forward with lefts and rights.
Mayweather is a very strong and rediculously well conditioned athelete. I think that plays as much of a role in his ability to fend off punches with his shoulder and elbow as the technique itself.
But PBF has taken it to another level. It's truly remarable how he can stay in the pocket the way he does, rock'n roll, crowd you so you have no room & counter you to death. Against SSM he walked him down while doing so, which really impressed me. If you look @ his early fights, he didn't do it nearly as much as now. Maybe beacause he is heavier & has lost a bit from his legs, but I actually think that the way he fights now is truly unique, & nobody has looked close to solving it.
I think that Floyd has put his own stamp on moves that have always been around. So yes there is a lot of innovation in his style, but I don't necessarily think its his defense but rather his transition to offense from his defensive posture that is truely innovative.
not sure how anyone can say that Floyd took it to another level....too often does Floyd turn completely around, bend way down and sniff the opponents crotch....use his elbows and forearms someone like James Toney has much more defensive credibility imo
nothing prettier than Toney's turning to his right, blocking a punch with his shoulder, and countering with his short right-hand.
How about the half our of illegal implementations against Jirov?.. It was actually this fight, where I thought to myself, 'something dont look......right...about this style' ..and it was due to the fact that Jirov had to jump on Toney's upper thigh like a see-saw while stretching his arm around the corner to the maximum, trying to pad Toney's turned face,..I came to learn that this move was called the 'shoulder roll' ,.. illegal, as defined by the rules of boxing, but, the constitution of laws, has been manipulated for fucking years, now these days, the only rule enforced is,.. 'Don't make your opponent hurt by hitting him in the balls, you can hit him in the balls aslong as he shows no pain, but if he does show pain, wells, thens we gots ta warn ya'.
Just rewatched 3 rounds of that fight. Saw nothing illegal, just a guy with stupendously better footwork & understanding of angles on the inside than the other guy. I've agreed with you in the past about Floyd's back turning and Hopkins dipping below the waist, but Toney does neither of these things. Can you find a bit of what you're talking about?
