Boxing Big Men Who Could box and move

[scorpio83]

There were certain big men at heavyweight who could box and move despite being big and didn't fought like regular big guys. Fighters like Buster Mathis Sr., Tony Tubbs, Abe Simon, Greg Page, Big John Tate and Leroy Jones just to name some who could box and have mobility like they were in the lighter weight division. What do you guys think and could you name other big man who could box and move that you never saw before when you watched their fights?

[SteveO]

Muhammad Ali (obviously)
Jimmy Ellis
Tyson Fury
David Haye

[gilgamesh]

Fury's ability in this regard is a bit overrated. Sure he can move, and defend. He ain't especially great at putting meaningful offense together to be honest. Particularly against dangerous opposition.

Larry Holmes fits this.

[SteveO]

Yes, Larry Holmes is a good call.
Butterbean could move pretty fast

[gilgamesh]

Yes, Larry Holmes is a good call.
Butterbean could move pretty fast

He got a good pep in his step when there was a Buffet around

[Ambling Alp II]

Buster Douglas and James Tillis. I have heard people make fun of Joe Bugner's movement, which I never understood because he moved pretty well.
When Larry Donald was young he could move well.

[Flump]

I think the OP means, looking at his examples, fat guys who were surprisingly nimble. From that list Mathis and Page for sure. Not sure Abe Simon was a great mover, at times he boxed like someone walking through the dark trying to feel their way around.

[APerno]

He said 'big guys' not necessarily fat guys. So I am going to add Primo Carnera. If you watch with unbias eyes you will be quite surprised how nimble he was for a guy who somehow got a reputation as an oaf.

If Kalan was still around he would support my view, it was he who made me look a second time at the Ambling Alp.

[Onetimeonly]

Muhammad Ali (obviously)
Jimmy Ellis
Tyson Fury
David Haye

Jimmy Ellis a big man? Surely you jest.

[Caractacus]

Primo Carnera could move around the ring pretty good (surprisingly).
Jess Willard moved around real good for someone of his size too.

[Flump]

He said 'big guys' not necessarily fat guys. So I am going to add Primo Carnera. If you watch with unbias eyes you will be quite surprised how nimble he was for a guy who somehow got a reputation as an oaf.

If Kalan was still around he would support my view, it was he who made me look a second time at the Ambling Alp.

I wish Kalan was around, I'd love to hear his current thoughts on AJ being the greatest heavyweight of all time...

[scorpio83]

Buster Douglas and James Tillis. I have heard people make fun of Joe Bugner's movement, which I never understood because he moved pretty well.
When Larry Donald was young he could move well.

Good point, the young Bugner was quick and mobile - as was particularly evident in Ali-Bugner 1.

Bugner actually still had pretty fast hands later in his career, he outpointed Tillis in his 'Aussie Joe' period.

Joe Bugner was one the big men who still move with his fast hands despite being overweight in the 1980s than in his younger years in the 1970s that impressed me.

[bigjack]

Holmes was the master at boxing and moving,but he didn't toy with the jab,he used to use it brilliantly and it was very hurtful.

[oogiebe]

Holmes was the master at boxing and moving,but he didn't toy with the jab,he used to use it brilliantly and it was very hurtful.

Oh yeah, it was a weapon his jab was.

[Syntax Error]

Bruce Seldon was a pretty good mover with a great jab too.

[scorpio83]

Primo Carnera could move around the ring pretty good (surprisingly).
Jess Willard moved around real good for someone of his size too.

They're both had underrated footwork for big men that many fans ignored their skills and thought of them as regular clumsy big men, but they were not.

[Bodyshot3]

Bugner is a good call.....

…..and when Joe was skint and well-past his best his movement gave him some top paydays on the unofficial "seniors tour" and also kept him relevant and interesting to watch.

I thought the late edition of Vitali K also moved well for a block of Ukrainian granite. In his late thirties/early forties he was surprisingly nimble and did not simply smother/clinch blokes to death.

[Nile4000]

Greg Page had mad flow when he really wanted it.

[oogiebe]

Greg Page had mad flow when he really wanted it.

He wasn't necessarily a big guy though.

[Onetimeonly]

Greg Page had mad flow when he really wanted it.

He wasn't necessarily a big guy though.

He had big tits, but nile is his greatest fan.

[oogiebe]

He wasn't necessarily a big guy though.

He had big tits, but nile is his greatest fan.

LMAO!

[Nile4000]

Greg Page had mad flow when he really wanted it.

He wasn't necessarily a big guy though.

Not height wise, but weight, occasionally a big joker.

[Jamie Albrecht]

James Tillis.

His poor man's Ali style gave Tyson problems. One of the primary reasons I'd pick Ali to embarrass Iron Mike.