BoxRec

Which would you go for?

Id have to figure Louis --- faster than Liston's and more damaging than Holmes', not quite as long as either mind, but accurate and crunching. The best all-round.

Thoughts?

Lewis had quite a good jab too.

Holmes.

Crease wrote:Lewis had quite a good jab too.

Id have to disagree.

If there were a fourth candidate, Id have Foreman (especially in his comeback) or Ali.

From the old-timers, I'd give a shout-out to Jeffries.

I can see why Louis would get it. However If there were any fighters that he fought that he couldn't land one on, I'm sure Liston would have gotten there, he could really reach out with that long arm of his. It could be said that Liston's was harder on landing too - confusing myself now

Definitely not Louis. His jab was very good, but it has a tendency to be overrated. I'd go with Holmes.

Give me Liston. Not sure who I'd pick 2nd. Louis jab is shadowed by the awesomeness of his whole offensive arsenal.

Liston's was rangier and harder but Holmes's was quicker and more accuarte..mmmm choices choices. Histon no Lolmes

Liston

I would have to go With Holmes his jab was quick and accurate

Holmes...Then Ali. Probably Holmes' jab was the best P4P all-time, too.

Among the three named, Liston.

To me a young Foreman may have had the best HW jab ever . . thing was like most HW's power right hand, plus it was quick and snappy.

Goodnight, Irene wrote:

Crease wrote:Lewis had quite a good jab too.

Id have to disagree.

If there were a fourth candidate, Id have Foreman (especially in his comeback) or Ali.

Nuh no,Ali had the best footwork in his prime and a very good jab throughout his carear but not ever as good as Holmes's.

Pretty sure I made that clear by listing Holmes and not Ali in the poll.

Holmes then Liston for me.

Larry Holmes.

I don't think Holmes would be anywhere near the same level without his jab. The other two didn't need to relay on it quite as much, but that doesn't mean theirs was worse. I think Holmes probably edges it.

In 10-15 years I think the Klitschkos will get a lot of support on this topic.

Holmes.

Fast and hard.

Louis' was unquestionably harder, and IMO faster, too.

Unfortunately for Louis, he was a huge puncher and a brilliant one --- and that can over-shadow the jab a little, especially when you have a guy like Holmes, who was a lot more reliant on his left --- so I can see what JDC is saying.

Holmes and Liston threw a "power jab". They threw it for the sake of scoring. In that sense, they made it a potent weapon.

But when you're talking about "educated" jabs, the ones that set an opponent up with feints, just touch you double to hide your sidestep, a jab at the shoulder to deflect the right hand, a change in timing... then you're talking Joe Louis, Ezzard Charles, and sometimes Ali.

Lewis had a good jab but he dropped it and it wasn't as educated. Foreman and Lyle had excellent jabs that set other punches up.

Depending on whether you like jabs for the sake of jabbing, or whether you use it as a tactical weapon, you will choose Holmes or Louis.

Holmes.

Lewis had a good jab when he remembered to use it, ala Rahman II, but he wasn't consistent enough with it to be mentioned with Holmes and Liston. Louis had an excellent jab, but it was quite short and didn't enable him to dominate a fight from a long range like Holmes. Ali certainly deserves a shout too.

I've voted for Liston.

His jab was a piledriver & more like a straight punch than a jab.

Holmes' jab was faster & sharper & he could control an entire fight with it, but I rate Liston's more because he could do more damage with fewer shots.

Louis is also a good call & his was a hybrid of Holmes' & Liston's jabs.