What boxing style has the most longevity? What the least?

Those pocket rockets that throw a lot of punches don't last long. Leo Santa Cruz has been the one that has lasted the longest because he does incorporate defense. People like Hopkins and James Tone last a while. They don't have to use their legs so much and are able to avoid punches many different ways.

There are lots of things that will affect a career but that doesn't seem to be what the op is asking. If we ignore the effects of drugs, marriage, complacency, injury, cumulative punches taken etc... my take would be that your ability wanes in pretty predictable ways. If you're reliant on something that goes early, then you've got a problem. Power sticks around. Speed goes early. Stamina reduction is a very slow process. Ring IQ arguably improves with age. So I'd say any fighter reliant on speed is destined to have their career burn out early. Smart boxers can keep going. Guys who rely on speed will appear to 'get old overnight'. Tyson was a speed guy. He always carried his power but fighters saw it coming. Even without his problems I don't think he'd have been top level past 30. Lewis was a high IQ boxer puncher - he could have gone on longer if he hadn't lost the desire to train. Foreman II was your classic heavy hitter who relied on smarts over speed to land his shot. As for Pacquiao, he's a bit of a freak. His ring smarts, stamina and technique hold up. His speed had stayed with him though and it's the only in the last few years he's started to lose it.

Fewer hits you take the longer you will last, that's also relative to the power of the hits that you do take., longevity = defense.

Discuss. I am the local filthy casual I dont know. Id say someone like Pacman has a style that shouldnt last well, surprisingly it did. And someone like George Foreman seemed to shrug off father time like nothing. I know different weight classes, but yeh. Tell me you guys who know boxing It is alleged that those individuals who are very active, like Dempsey, Marciano, Frazier, Tyson burn bright but do not last at peak for very long. There are exceptions to this rule and qualifiers that make it a reasonable point of view. Hank Armstrong was the archetype for these methods... perhaps coming from Musashi himself who advocated advancing! advancing!! and advancing!! on an opponent in the run, during a sword duel. Seriously though, Armstrong had a very long career. Fighters who rely on finesse, big punchers (like Foreman who you mentioned) allegedly last a lot longer. Pacman is interesting to look at. He fights a bit like a kick boxer... coming in fast and hard on a fighting line, which takes fast feet among other things. But in truth.... what really pole axes a fighter's career? I mean a great analogy would be: When I started studying martial arts at 13... You were preparing for the big knuckle dragger with the Hell's Angel's jacket. I am 57 now and every "big threatening looking guy" I ever encountered was pretty reasonable. Meanwhile? diseases? kick the crap out of all of us somewhere down the line... And small guys with a chip on their shoulder? dangerous! Point being, the things that kill a fighter's career are things like life getting in the way (ask Ike Ibeuchi!), accidents, etc. For example, most people have no idea why Razor Ruddock, a very talented prospect at the time, became essentially a one armed fighter. He had an accident apparently. And then there is just those times when a fighter is brought along perfectly but somehow just does not rise to the top... fighters like Fernando Vargas, Tommy Morrison... two very talented fighters seemingly destined for greatness, but for whatever reason did not make the climb to the top.

You have to be highly skilled to implement the hit and don't get hit style. Many fail at it. And, Pac's longevity has little to do with his style, other factors play a role. In fact, Pac gets hit a lot.

Smart style aka Floyd and Gervonta.. Running style aka Rigondeaux works as well.. I totally respect the hit,not get hit philosophy. it may not get you the money but your brain will be intact. Most definately. Ricardo Mayorga is exciting to watch but his style is brain damaging.

Hit and not get hit style. A good solid defence is always a handy tool in prolonging your career. One may not be blessed with heavy hands but good lateral movement, good defence and good head movement bodes well for a extended career

Smart style aka Floyd and Gervonta.. Running style aka Rigondeaux works as well.. I totally respect the hit,not get hit philosophy. it may not get you the money but your brain will be intact.

not that simple..depends on the person