BoxRec

Who was the best deffensive boxer of all time?

Names that come to mind for me are Willie Pep. Niccolino Locche and Young Griffo ,

For me the number 1 guy is Willie Pep.

For what its worth
I read in a article that the writer was told by someone that Ray Arcel said Locche was a better defensive fighter then pep.

Jim Driscoll was also a defencive genius by accounts

Sweet Pea

tzyuforever wrote:Sweet Pea

Good choice, both Whitaker and Locche would stand right in front of their opponents and still not get hit. Neither could crack an egg.

Personaly i love Locches very economic style (probably a child of need due to his chainsmoking)

Pernell had it down, no doubt. Loche is also a great call.

My vote goes to Locche. Anybody ever see this video paying tribute to the great defensive boxers? Some great footage.

Part 1 of 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ct2jCu7 ... re=related

Sweet Pea for me.
I have not watched enough of Pep to pass judgement.

Other guys I think of when it comes to good defence
are

Chris Byrd, James Toney, Roy Jones jr, Mike Tyson,
Floyd Mayweather.

I'd love to give it to Whitaker, being a long-time fan, but my vote has to go with Pep.

The most fascinating to watch in this regard, for mine, was Benitez. Astonishing.

Benitez is always a treat to watch. I agree on that one GI.

I should have also included Walcott and Archie Moore, both
those men were inventors and innovators that subsequent
greats have adopted or adapted.

I know you do hear about how great Jack Johnson was as
a defensive fighter, but for me his exploits against the
competition (i have seen on film) does not rank him as
highly as those mentioned.

Robinson wrote:Benitez is always a treat to watch. I agree on that one GI.

I should have also included Walcott and Archie Moore, both
those men were inventors and innovators that subsequent
greats have adopted or adapted.

Very few have gone out of their way to actively develope Walcott's style, which may be the best tip of the cap of all. Like Whitaker, he just seemed to be able to pull of tricks & stunts unique to him. Watching him stand in front of Louis (even an old Louis) & non-chalantly twist & dance on the spot, twigging his head left & right, is curious viewing. Brave.

Ray Leonard utilises a lot of Walcott's 'style'
in some of his fights. Its interesting to watch
Ray some times and see him slip into some Jersey
Joe for a bit.

Walcott is one boxer who you watch while listening
to some Bill Evans or Art Blakey's faster smooth
jazz. It is almost the perfect soundtrack to such a
craftsman.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOJXKM7L2io

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwFveMpGtHs

Robinson wrote:
Walcott is one boxer who you watch while listening
to some Bill Evans or Art Blakey's faster smooth
jazz. It is almost the perfect soundtrack to such a
craftsman.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOJXKM7L2io

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwFveMpGtHs

beautifully put, although personally i find Blakey a bit, well, 'spikey', for those kind of smooth boxers, I'd echo Evans, add blue-period Miles or 'Trane, or maybe some 1960s Cannonball Adderley, or some Art pepper

To me it's a tie between Locche and Pep

Miles has a lot of boxer friendly music. Though that is not
suprising as he was such a fan.

I have found that Moore, Charles, Walcott and Harold
Johnson move well during there fights that its hard not
to slide a jazz soundtrack over things as they ply their
trade.

..for me it's got to be willie pep.....plus willie threw a lot of punches...in bunches...and got out of there before the other guy could counter. sweet pea was good at nullifying a guy's attack and i have to admire his craft, but willie was so much more fun to watch with his combination of attack and defense. as one opponent said - trying to hit him was like trying to stamp out a flame.

i have read many times that griffo was a wonder so though i have never seen anything of him he must have been a great defensive fighter. i'm just going on what i've seen.

I really want to sit down and watch some Pep. I have very little on
DVD and tape.

When my net speed is up and running I will have a look at what is
around on YT.

tzyuforever wrote:Sweet Pea

Good choice.

Also, what about Ken Buchanan?

I have to echo the sentiment of Whitaker & Pep. Since I am currently mourning his exclusion from the BoxRec HOF, Luis Rodriguez is worth a mention.

Nothing wrong with the names mentioned so far but thought it worth adding…

Joe Gans
Benny Leonard
Tommy Loughran
Jack Blackburn
Max Rosenbloom

Ezzard wrote:Nothing wrong with the names mentioned so far but thought it worth adding…

Joe Gans
Benny Leonard
Tommy Loughran
Jack Blackburn
Max Rosenbloom

Nice to see Blackburn rate a mention.

cadee wrote:Floyd Mayweather is categorically up there as one of the supreme defensive boxers ever. He is exceedingly admirable for his insuperable defense, overwhelming counter punching, and great punching precision. Mayweather is in the same league as some of the greatest defensive boxers ever within the statures, ridges, and stratums of Pernell Whitaker, Willie Pep, Winky Wright, James Toney, Roy Jones Jr., Nicolino Locche, Benny Leonard, Kid Gavilan, Charley Burley, and many other all time greats.
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Floyd is one of the best without a doubt. That's a nice list with the exception of Winky. he was a solid defender but is badly out of his league on that list.