Archie moore is one of the most skillful fighters ever

[them_apples]

His record is a product of literally fighting everyone, multiple times. Archie was one of the most skillful fighters to grace the ring, now that more footage is showing up on youtube to watch. The problem is he fought some terribly fierce competition, which is a key reason why casuals write him off.

hes constantly thinking in the ring, had a very high ring IQ.

and lastly….Ali stole all his moves! Go see for yourself. The later half of Alis career, minus the cross arm defense, was all Moore. I can see why Foreman wanted him in his corner for his comeback. Moore was a fistic genius.

I think the only hole in his style was if you ran and boxed, he was still an excellent pressure fighter because of his experience - but his calculated style really shined if his opponent tried to fight him. Hos knockout of Johnson is top tier. He plays possum and fakes hurt multiple times in the fight, I couldn’t believe all the tricks he pulls on him throughout the fight.

[QueensburyRules]

His record is a product of literally fighting everyone, multiple times. Archie was one of the most skillful fighters to grace the ring, now that more footage is showing up on youtube to watch. The problem is he fought some terribly fierce competition, which is a key reason why casuals write him off.

hes constantly thinking in the ring, had a very high ring IQ.

and lastly….Ali stole all his moves! Go see for yourself. The later half of Alis career, minus the cross arm defense, was all Moore. I can see why Foreman wanted him in his corner for his comeback. Moore was a fistic genius.

I think the only hole in his style was if you ran and boxed, he was still an excellent pressure fighter because of his experience - but his calculated style really shined if his opponent tried to fight him. Hos knockout of Johnson is top tier. He plays possum and fakes hurt multiple times in the fight, I couldn’t believe all the tricks he pulls on him throughout the fight.

- - It was his very underrated ring genius that carried him to legendary status long after his physical prime. Archie was a literal boxing savant.

[them_apples]

- - It was his very underrated ring genius that carried him to legendary status long after his physical prime. Archie was a literal boxing savant.

And not to mention his flawless punching form. Top tier left hook, right cross straight as an arrow. Hooks to the body phenomenally leveraged. His must have been obsessed with boxing to be so polished in different areas

[The Old LefHook]

That's why he makes the top half of the light heavyweight list instead pf the bottom half.

[IronDanHamza]

Absolutely. One of the greatest fighters for my money.

Great fights with Harold Johnson, winning most of them.

A truly special fighter.

[them_apples]

That's why he makes the top half of the light heavyweight list instead pf the bottom half.

I would rank him number 2, Behind Ezzard Charles. That because Charles had the highest ring IQ of any LHW, but I figure Moore was actually more skillful - but he would take risks and had a lot of pride, would get pulled into fights (In all the fights I've seen he does this, including against Rocky). This is sort of what prevented Moore from being just about unbeatable at LHW.

[The Old LefHook]

I would rank him number 2, Behind Ezzard Charles. That because Charles had the highest ring IQ of any LHW, but I figure Moore was actually more skillful - but he would take risks and had a lot of pride, would get pulled into fights (In all the fights I've seen he does this, including against Rocky). This is sort of what prevented Moore from being just about unbeatable at LHW.

I don't dispute your appraisal. I simply point out that Moore had rather slow mitts. Slightly faster hands and he may have overcome Burley and Charles. Worked very well with what he had. Not immensely talented, but very tough and learned.

[them_apples]

I don't dispute your appraisal. I simply point out that Moore had rather slow mitts. Slightly faster hands and he may have overcome Burley and Charles. Worked very well with what he had. Not immensely talented, but very tough and learned.

ok so this is what I'm seeing in the footage. I used to think the same of Moore because all the old tapes were so bad I didn't bother having a close look. Moore in his prime actually has quick hands, lazers really. He's just a smart fighter and doesn't throw all his shots fast, much like Ezzard. He throws a lot of clever baits, even purposely misses shots to set up good ones. It surprised me about him, how clever and yeah athletic he was. I think it was in the Johnson fight, he purposely spits his mouth piece out as if he was tiring, he got Johnson to jump on him, only he was faking it and actually coherent, quickly fired off a brutal right hand on Johnsons chin. Another time, When Johnson was tiring - Johnson was clinching more and fighting inside. Moore realized this and spun him off the ropes making Johnson, who was tired step to him. In that moment and quick changing of timing from inside punching to outside punching - Moore chinned him with a shot Johnson would have avoided earlier in the fight. That to me is something you can only do if you have a LOT of ring experience. It's saying he's able to think like that because all the other stuff is automatic for him at this point. In interviews even he's often talking about how he was planning things later in the fight (during the fight). I mean 130+ KO's sooner or later it's just a job.

Kinda reminds me of when Holmes hurt Cooney, it was actually right after Cooney hit him and was caught admiring his work. Holmes squared him on the jaw so fast in a moment Cooney didn't expect (and wasn't experienced enough to know).

After watching Moore closer now he really defines how ring generalship and IQ are really a separate category from boxing skills and athletic ability.

[GhostofDempsey]

Yes, Archie is easily a top 5 ATG. You can see how calm and controlled he is in the ring, never panics, doesn't try to rush anything. Takes his time to create his openings and always thinking. Tremendous fighter.

[them_apples]

Yes, Archie is easily a top 5 ATG. You can see how calm and controlled he is in the ring, never panics, doesn't try to rush anything. Takes his time to create his openings and always thinking. Tremendous fighter.

for sure, and against some of the best comp ever