best left hook in history?

[dreamroom]

left hook Lacy...He was so good he was named after it!!

Ok seriously. Hard to say "best." Its used differently in different styles of boxing. Mexican fighters often don't employ a jab and use a hook as a lead shot... Some of them can throw a double, or even triple hook, varying the speeds and power. Jones could catch people with the punch with no set up to speak of... Body punchers like Mccallum and Cotto used it close to the body and could KO someone with a body shot (like Hopkins did to Oscar).

Tommy Morrison had a textbook Left Hook, with power to spare. Cooney was able to do something atavistic from the old days: set up footwork for a fade to the left to get the shot off. In other words think two steps ahead countering the opponent by fading in and throwing the shot... very impressive skill. I noticed lefty mentioned Walcott's feint & hook.

Frazier did not throw the hook textbook but used it exclusively in what might be the most competative division for heavyweight boxigng ever... One punch! and Joe could win against great fighters, just using the hook. Thats pretty damn impressive.

The preclassical guys also used the hook skillfully. With smaller gloves one had to plant the punch under the opponent's elbows, or risk a broken hand. So who had the best? I don't know...

To be honest, I was agonizing between Morrison, Cooney and Frazier. Morrison was picture perfect with plenty of power, Cooney, according to Foreman had the hardest left hook. I went with Joe as he probably threw more left hooks per fight, in, as you pointed out, was one of the best heavyweight era's ever. Interesting thing about the hook, although there were guys that threw it with power, it really isn't a "power punch". (at least when thrown up top). Of course, when used as a liver shot, (Mickey Ward style), it's more of a hook/uppercut combined.
Great break down by the way!

[Tatabanya]

Left hook to the liver, Micky Ward definitely runs for a top spot.

[dreamroom]

Left hook to the liver, Micky Ward definitely runs for a top spot.

Absolutely. His trademark lead hook up top, followed by that quick liver shot, is really difficult to master! I work on it all the time, and still feel awkward.

[billeau2]

To be honest, I was agonizing between Morrison, Cooney and Frazier. Morrison was picture perfect with plenty of power, Cooney, according to Foreman had the hardest left hook. I went with Joe as he probably threw more left hooks per fight, in, as you pointed out, was one of the best heavyweight era's ever. Interesting thing about the hook, although there were guys that threw it with power, it really isn't a "power punch". (at least when thrown up top). Of course, when used as a liver shot, (Mickey Ward style), it's more of a hook/uppercut combined.
Great break down by the way!

It definitely has a few applications... Alvarez has an awesome one lately, In the older days where Dempsey set the standard it was untelegraphed, you really did not see it and it could be thrown in a phone booth (they used to exist lol). Alvarez throws it that way... As punching became more studied, and the era of Louis came upon us, the artifice for the hook, the aesthetics of the punch could be demonstrated with a sudden turn (90 degrees). Meanwhile you seldom saw the punch with the Cuban's... who had incredible form on all their punches, and for the Mexican style the hook was the major punch used, often as a jab would be used. Mexican style boxing even has variations in speed for the punch... like trying to hit a knuckleball one minute, and then a fastball lol.

The reason it isn't a power punch is probably because of the turn one needs to make. Guys compensate any number of ways: Cooney would lean over for momentum and throw the shot with less of an acute angle... Morrison was just picture perfect... and if there is one universal that seems to apply across the board in punching, if it is done with perfection, one does not need to try and generate power.

Some guys throw it as a hybrid of what Dempsey called the "shovel" punch. This allows for more arm swing and hence more power, and a slightly different angle. I think Frazier does this... It takes advantage of the fact when someone is retreating and having to deal with shots coming around their guard they are vulnerable. Imagine being pursued by a guy who is lower than you (Frazier, Marciano [who didn't use the hook so much[) you have to punch down, while moving your own point of balance/stability... and punches wizzing from your periphery. Jimmy Ellis really got beat up by Frazier trying to run backwards to establish a pocket while getting clipped repeatedly by Joe lol.

[elfag]

I don't know if they are the best, but Trinidad and Wilfredo Gomez should be in the discussion. RJJs lead hook was always fun. Lots of Heavies could be in the mention, Tyson, Patterson, Morrison are up there (but probably not Smokin Joe level)

I thought of RJJ too, his leaping lefts and lead lefts.

[Blond Beast]

I was always a sucker for the De La Hoya left hook.

No shame in that. He hook was legit, Every young boxer should analyze it on tape. He had a real solid style.

[Blond Beast]

I thought of RJJ too, his leaping lefts and lead lefts.

Loved the Roy leaping left. Hated the Wlad leaping left. Landed at an abysmal percentage. When he missed it always lead to an ugly headlock lean over clinch. He throw it like it was going to be outlawed any minute. When it did land it was effective, but he just tried it way too much only to have it fly over an opponents head. Frustrating because he held the right hand back for so long in way too many fights.

Tito had a good left hook. Watching Frazier vs Foreman I hated Joe’s hook. But watching his other fights I see it. Frazier reminds me of Qawi. George also fought Qawi. A lot of people don’t know that. George was at his lightest for his comeback. Afterwards he said he’d never come in that light again. So don’t think George didnt get his weight down at one point. Good fight. Worth a watch.

[StarshipTrooper]

In before some ******** idiot says a Klitschko. Seriously, though, Sonny Liston's left hook was dynamite: It was on Frazier's level. Joe Louis' has gotten criminally underrated these days.

[markusmod]

No shame in that. He hook was legit, Every young boxer should analyze it on tape. He had a real solid style.

The one he landed on Vargas was a beauty. The one on Mayorga too.

[Blond Beast]

The one he landed on Vargas was a beauty. The one on Mayorga too.

Right. Rude awakening for both guys. Oscar kept his chin tucked, it’s almost iconic. He kind of dragged his back foot at a 45 degree angle. Tito on the other hand was right up on the ball of his back pointing straight ahead. Sprinters stance I think big George called it once. Oscar was much more stable than Tito, plus his chin was less exposed. I liked that Oscar could hold his right up tight and throw the left hook without compromising his balance or defence. He didn’t need to duck or wind up to throw it. It just shot out without it being telegraphed. Swept across nice and level. His right hand was good also, that’s what made his left even more effective. Eventually his opponent would leave the wrong side open. I left hook followed by a right uppercut through the middle as you are now bending to the right can be devastating. Tyson and Canelo come to mind.