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Best heavyweight jab?
Posted: 06 Dec 2006, 14:47
by Syntax Error
I've recently been labelled an idiot on here by a pseudo-intellectual for suggesting that Sonny Liston & Larry Holmes had the 2 best jabs in the history of the division.
Who do you all think are the best jabbers in the HW division's history?
I've have listed who I think are the master jabbers, but if you disagree with my choices, then I have chosen an 'other' option for you to name one fighter.
Posted: 06 Dec 2006, 14:49
by Syntax Error
Forgot to say that I voted for Liston.
Posted: 06 Dec 2006, 16:35
by Ezzard
IMO a geat jab is accurate, fast and heavy. Liston and Foreman had heavy jabs. Ali had a fast annoying jab. As much as I love Liston's jab he lost the battle with Ali (although there was more at play than just this). I've always considered this to be why Ali seemed to handle him so easily.
Anyway, back to jabs... I feel that Holmes had the best combination of speed, potency and accuracy so he got my vote. I do feel that Louis sometimes gets neglected when talking of great jabs.
Posted: 06 Dec 2006, 17:27
by kick asner
Riddock Bowe had a great jab. Quick and powerful with a good reach. He used it well in setting up his other punches.
Posted: 06 Dec 2006, 17:28
by JC
I went for Holmes, very tough choice though. As Ezzard mentions different jabs could be great in different ways.
Posted: 06 Dec 2006, 18:08
by Martin Sosa Cameron
A great jab:
ERNIE TERRELL
Posted: 06 Dec 2006, 18:25
by Ezzard
kick asner wrote:Riddock Bowe had a great jab. Quick and powerful with a good reach. He used it well in setting up his other punches.
Too inconsistent for me, Kick. When he used it he was a formidable opponent, but too often he neglected it. In a way ot sort of sums up his career. When he was on it though that jab was like a pole.
Posted: 06 Dec 2006, 18:35
by BoxBuzz
Martin Sosa Cameron wrote:A great jab:
ERNIE TERRELL
Hey...if you beleive that (and it is a credible claim) then you have to give Ali some credit...he dominated Ernie totaly in that dept.
Posted: 06 Dec 2006, 18:36
by Sweet Scientist
Martin Sosa Cameron wrote:A great jab:
ERNIE TERRELL
Ernie Terrell didn't jab...he 'pawed'...
Posted: 06 Dec 2006, 18:41
by kick asner
Ezzard wrote:kick asner wrote:Riddock Bowe had a great jab. Quick and powerful with a good reach. He used it well in setting up his other punches.
Too inconsistent for me, Kick. When he used it he was a formidable opponent, but too often he neglected it. In a way ot sort of sums up his career. When he was on it though that jab was like a pole.
I was actually thinking the same thing as I was posting and how he wasted his talent. But I couldn't get the image out of my mind in his first fight against Holyfield the way he fired it with purpose time and again. But as you said and I can agree on, inconsistency was what he will most be remembered for.
Posted: 06 Dec 2006, 18:44
by BoxBuzz
Sweet Scientist wrote:Martin Sosa Cameron wrote:A great jab:
ERNIE TERRELL
Ernie Terrell didn't jab...he 'pawed'...
Well in the Ali fight it sure looked like he was pawing....think Sosa just suckered me in? I took him seriously.
Posted: 06 Dec 2006, 18:53
by Expug
I like to hear what fighters who have fought some of these guys have to say.
Wepner talked about Listons jab breaking bones in his face when it landed.
Thats a good endorsement in my opinion.
Posted: 06 Dec 2006, 19:12
by BoxBuzz
Well Liston's was practically a power punch. But it could be avoided by some.
Posted: 06 Dec 2006, 19:17
by Expug
Yep. One guy in particular was pretty adept at it . Muhamed something or other.
Posted: 06 Dec 2006, 19:23
by JC
BoxBuzz wrote:Well Liston's was practically a power punch. But it could be avoided by some.
Louis' jab was like a power punch too, you can really see the change of expression on Baer's face when a particular solid one thuds into it.
Posted: 06 Dec 2006, 21:10
by kick asner
I know that this is not the ametueres forum but Tiefilo Stevenson had an excellent jab.
Posted: 07 Dec 2006, 02:43
by Jaclem
...joe louis. short,long, speed,accuracy, power..when he was fighting on fumes against schmelling he was still landing it....whenhe was all washed up he was effective for a while against marciano....when he was past his prime and lost big he still busted up ezzard charles with it ....best jab ever.
Posted: 07 Dec 2006, 03:35
by vagabundo55
I have to go with Larry Holmes.. one of the greatest jabs at any weight.
Posted: 07 Dec 2006, 05:08
by Syntax Error
expug wrote:I like to hear what fighters who have fought some of these guys have to say.
Wepner talked about Listons jab breaking bones in his face when it landed.
Thats a good endorsement in my opinion.
Absolutely!
Bear in mind that Liston was about 500 yrs old & the time & it's all the more impressive!!!! :P
Posted: 08 Dec 2006, 15:31
by The Durable Dane
Muhammad Ali the best jab in history... p4p!
Posted: 08 Dec 2006, 15:57
by pundit
The Durable Dane wrote:Muhammad Ali the best jab in history... p4p!
Certainly the fastest.
Posted: 08 Dec 2006, 16:20
by yiddo14
kick asner wrote:I know that this is not the ametueres forum but Tiefilo Stevenson had an excellent jab.
Posted: 08 Dec 2006, 17:08
by Aljon
Larry Holmes had the best jab IMO. He used it for defense and offense at the same time.
Posted: 08 Dec 2006, 17:10
by mattyp151
larry holmes jab was as strong as other guys straight power shots.
Posted: 09 Dec 2006, 02:04
by Aldo Pravisani
I remember reading that Louis' jab was as powerful as an average heavyweight's right hand. That says something.
Liston's lefty was also quite something to behold.
Alis's was the fastest, but as someone said it was more annoying, rather that destructive. Then again, when someone punched as fast as he did, if you did not see it coming, wow! Troubles. :-)
1 Louis
2 Liston
3 Ali