U had a choice of 1 great punch in arsenal what would be?

Yes the left hook used to be called "the finisher", in a straight left, right cross and left hook. Because of the body weight shifting in that combination the left hook has worked up a good bit more steam than the other two-if delivered properly. As for pros being countered over the jab that's because that so many pros seem to show contempt for guarding themselves, with the way they drop their hands etc. it's just not good boxing. A counter over the jab-if properly thrown -should only reach from around the eye socket upwards, the chin and cheekbone being guarded by the shoulder and with the left quickly coming back on the same track-line it would be an extra guard (this last was something I noticed that Winky Wright did, which others didn't and made him almost invulnerable). Also with the right glove free for other eventualities. As for parrying the left, that's very proper provided that you have your right glove ready to guard the chin, otherwise parrying with the left is dangerous nowadays, considering where the majority of boxers hold their right hands, which is nowhere. They don't seem to know what to do with it. Another point is that there is a sort of reflexive winging move of the right glove to the outside, when the left is thrown, like releasing an arrow from a bow, and is an open invitation for a left hook. I mentioned the other day that Ali did this, and suffered for it-as did everyone who left himself open like that. I also forgot to include Micky Wards left to the body, a crippling punch and his best. Look up his fight with Emanuel Augustus. Also his fight with Gatti, where he put Gatti down, and it was the surprise of the night that Gatti was able to beat the count. Pros get caught with counters over their jabs, because they're lazy with it. They don't bring the jab back immediately, and just leave it out there. Or they'll throw the pawing jab. And you don't parry the jab with your left hand. You parry it with the right, and immediately shoot your jab. Same goes for the counter straight, except opposite. You parry with the left, then shoot the straight. Maybe I'm not reading your post correctly, but are you saying you'd get countered with the hook off your right hand parry? Unless you're fighting Roy Jones, I don't see the risk in that. And yeah, Ward would DIG into his left body hooks. Also, Cotto carried so much power with his left to the body. I love that punch more than anything. It can cause potentially the most damage in the sport, if you can hit the liver. And then you have Chavez Sr. The legend.

-Straight right -Left hook to the body.

Yeah, that's boxing 101, but a lot of guys still get countered over the jab. Even at the professional level. Also, parrying the jab and countering with a jab is boxing 101. I'm just saying, if you don't have a great reach, I'd rather have a punch like a left to the body, or a nice hook. Something that you'd have the most advantage with, depending on your physical advantages. Obviously the jab is one of the best weapons to have, but I'm throwing out some different alternatives. Everyone said jab, so I figured I'd give the left hook some love. Yes the left hook used to be called "the finisher", in a straight left, right cross and left hook. Because of the body weight shifting in that combination the left hook has worked up a good bit more steam than the other two-if delivered properly. As for pros being countered over the jab that's because that so many pros seem to show contempt for guarding themselves, with the way they drop their hands etc. it's just not good boxing. A counter over the jab-if properly thrown -should only reach from around the eye socket upwards, the chin and cheekbone being guarded by the shoulder and with the left quickly coming back on the same track-line it would be an extra guard (this last was something I noticed that Winky Wright did, which others didn't and made him almost invulnerable). Also with the right glove free for other eventualities. As for parrying the left, that's very proper provided that you have your right glove ready to guard the chin, otherwise parrying with the left is dangerous nowadays, considering where the majority of boxers hold their right hands, which is nowhere. They don't seem to know what to do with it. Another point is that there is a sort of reflexive winging move of the right glove to the outside, when the left is thrown, like releasing an arrow from a bow, and is an open invitation for a left hook. I mentioned the other day that Ali did this, and suffered for it-as did everyone who left himself open like that. I also forgot to include Micky Wards left to the body, a crippling punch and his best. Look up his fight with Emanuel Augustus. Also his fight with Gatti, where he put Gatti down, and it was the surprise of the night that Gatti was able to beat the count.

Good thread. Either Tito Trinidad's Left Hook or Thomas "Hitman" Hearns Right Hand. Both those punches were honed through hard training and work, but without a doubt they were gifted to them by the man upstairs. Legendary punches.

They are successfully countered off the jab because when they throw it, they don't make sure to tuck their chins into the raised shoulder muscle, and almost always drop the left when bringing it back. trainers never seem to teach this basic regimen any more. When I was boxing it was the first thing learned. it's especially effective when throwing the right after the left, in fact it's a must for proper coaching. It's to guard the jaw at ALL times. Yeah, that's boxing 101, but a lot of guys still get countered over the jab. Even at the professional level. Also, parrying the jab and countering with a jab is boxing 101. I'm just saying, if you don't have a great reach, I'd rather have a punch like a left to the body, or a nice hook. Something that you'd have the most advantage with, depending on your physical advantages. Obviously the jab is one of the best weapons to have, but I'm throwing out some different alternatives. Everyone said jab, so I figured I'd give the left hook some love.

margarito's wrapped in plaster uppercuts,,,

With the jab. You have to take into consideration, you're reach. It's hard to defend off the jab if you have to lunge in with it. Certain guys can jab from distance. And you're prone to get countered on top of your jab with counter rights, if you throw it too often. Gimme a digging left hook to the body. The type that debilitates guys. They are successfully countered off the jab because when they throw it, they don't make sure to tuck their chins into the raised shoulder muscle, and almost always drop the left when bringing it back. trainers never seem to teach this basic regimen any more. When I was boxing it was the first thing learned. it's especially effective when throwing the right after the left, in fact it's a must for proper coaching. It's to guard the jaw at ALL times.

Ivan Calderons jab

The original Wladimir Klitschko straight left (The Ilana Kulovko) The original Wladimir Klitschko straignt right cross (The Svetlana Pirogies) Jack Johnson's right uppercut (The Miss Maggie Proper) Floyd Patterson's left hook (The Ingemar Johansen) Bernard Hopkins' head butt (the Killem Qwik) If a boxer has all of these he will be world champion for 50 years with 150-0 record.

Gotta be the jab

The poll shows how this punch has died off. The uppercut.

With the jab. You have to take into consideration, you're reach. It's hard to defend off the jab if you have to lunge in with it. Certain guys can jab from distance. And you're prone to get countered on top of your jab with counter rights, if you throw it too often. Gimme a digging left hook to the body. The type that debilitates guys.

Tira el yab compadre

A great left jab, I think that would be more essential the jabs the most important part when looking to fight in a controlled manner.

jab. anybody who says otherwise is doing himself a disservice. boxing is easy when you can outjab your opponents.

jab..........

jab it is. But deep down left hook

tommy morrison's left hook Morrison's left hook was one of the best ever. I miss the Duke something fierce.

Straight right hand always. The left hook is nice and all but nothing beats a great precise straight right hand.

Straight Right when thrown with enough power is such a devastating hard to avoid punch that comes at you so fast. For my favorite straight right hand thrower refer to the knockouts bellow.