Who do you consider to have the best left hook in boxing history?

[Jasonkinsley]

Obviously, Joe Frazier comes to mind. What does everyone else think!

[Sequitorian]

... definitely NOT Frazier ... ...

[elmersalsa]

... definitely NOT Frazier ... ...

Smokin'Joe had the best left hook of all time in my book. At least at heavyweight.

[elmersalsa]

Pound per pound best left hook? Maybe the great Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles.
Others would be:
Alexis Arguello
Ruben Olivares, especially to the liver.
Julio Cesar Chavez
Eder Jofre
Roberto Duran.

[BoxBuzz]

Tommy Morrison was pretty gifted in that dept.

Why wouldn't Frazier be considered? Who is "clearly better" than Joe? A bit like Jack Hammer.

[Sequitorian]

Don't be fooled by highlight-reel power ... especially when it's a big, wide open hook like Frazier or Morrison ...

... that's like thinking a great high-dive makes big splash ... it makes barely a ripple ...

A great left-hook is a highly sophisticated punch ... short and sweet ...

... and leaves the fighter in perfect position to unload his # 4 ...

... (whatever his # 4 happens to be) ... ...

[DrDuke]

Frazier is definitely the best left hook of the heavyweights and probably p4p. Anyway it's the most legendary left hook p4p. It was quick and extremely powerful and Frazier masterfully used it frequntly in the process of destroying his opponents.

My second best choice of the heavyweight left hook is Tommy Morrison's one. It was extremely powerful, but also very short. Morrison's left hook was probably the shortest in the heavyweight history.

Tua was also among the best left hooks not only of the 90s heavyweight scene.

Ruddock is a one to be mentioned and his feature was the possession of a hybrid left hook-uppercut.

Patterson was a good example also.

[Sequitorian]

... (none of the above) ... ...

[Ade L]

In addition to those already mentioned, Micky Ward.

[Chuck1052]

Bob Foster had an incredible left-hook.

- Chuck Johnston

[Sidney Carton]

I guess boxing "history" doesn't go back as far as

Charlie White
Dal Hawkins
Joe Walcott (welterweight)
Aurelio Herrera
Bob Fitzsimmons
Jim Jeffries
Jack Dempsey
Jose Beccera
Stanley Ketchel
Billy Papke
Dick Tiger
Tony Zale
Jersey Joe Walcott
Curtis Sheppard
etc etc etc

[Caractacus]

the Manassa Mauler and his "shovel hook "

[Ambling Alp II]

almost impossible to pick one, bit I guess I would have to go with Frazier if I had to pick on. Probably dozens of guys that are pretty close. Some others that I don't believe have been mentioned:

Mickey Walker
Ray Robinson
Sonny Liston
Carlos Zarate
Pipino Cuevas
Ray Leonard
Ray Mancini
Gerry Cooney
Mike Tyson
Evander Holyfield

[wouter]

Florentino Fernandez deserves a mention too.

[evrenb]

Tyson has to be up there....the Carl Williams ko was perfect...

[Abradolf Lincler]

I agree with all the choices Sequitorian mentioned in his 3 separate posts. Great list.

[Sequitorian]

I agree with all the choices Sequitorian mentioned in his 3 separate posts. Great list.

I've been keeping an eye out for that perfect short You-Tube clip of the quintessential left hook ...

... haven't come across one yet that completely satisfies me ...

... but I have a long memory so stay tuned ... (it could take a year or two) ... ...

[slappy]

I agree with all the choices Sequitorian mentioned in his 3 separate posts. Great list.

I've been keeping an eye out for that perfect short You-Tube clip of the quintessential left hook ...

... haven't come across one yet that completely satisfies me ...

... but I have a long memory so stay tuned ... (it could take a year or two) ... ...

See Ray Robinson v Gene Fullmer

[Duran1970]

Although not a big puncher,....... Jake lamotta

[Caractacus]

Middle-weight contender Tony DeMarco had a pretty good left hook.

[SenorPipino]

Cooney had a pretty wicked left hook. He had to since his right hand was virtually non-existent.

Chavez was a terrific hooker. When he got inside he caved in quite a few victims with that patented Mexican hook. Randle said it hurt every time it landed.

And, especially at the lighter weights, De La Hoya possessed lethal power in his left hook, although it could be somewhat of a hybrid punch. Part hook, part uppercut.

[Sidney Carton]

Middle-weight contender Tony DeMarco had a pretty good left hook.

Tony DeMarco was welterweight champion.

He never fought as a middleweight.

In his last fight, against Stefan Redl, he weighed 147 1/2.

[Nile4000]

Bob Foster over Joe Frazier. He coldcocked a couple of jokers, and would have done the same to Monzon as well if he got to him.

[BoxBuzz]

Bob Foster over Joe Frazier. He coldcocked a couple of jokers, and would have done the same to Monzon as well if he got to him.

Well, that shoot out took place, and Frazier put him out like a cigarette. So not sure that rating is credible. He'd be favored against Monzon, but he would never have his way with Carlos, the way Joe had his way with Bob. That would be a long drawn out battle, I would guess Monzon would probably enjoy it, win lose or draw. Bob....well I'm not sure he'd lose, but I bet he wouldn't like the ride.

[Sequitorian]

Freddie Roach on the classic (proper) left hook ... short and tight with the palm facing down ... (that's the key) ...

You have to "turn-over" a left-hook the same way you turn-over a right-hand ... which is the example I've been looking for ...

Not that there isn't another kind of left hook ... thrown with the fist sideways ... palm facing inward ... which is thrown much more frequently and hits the highlight-reel much more frequently ... but it is NOT a classic left hook ... as taught by Roach ... (and every trainer I ever worked with) ...