Who's The Best ''TextBook'' Boxer Ever?

[ImStillHere]

Most fighters dont follow the textbook example, so thinking of someone is difficult.

Historically purists seem to like to see a hands up, moving from the waist with side to side movement type of style. The Peek a Boo style seems to please many of these purists and no one did this style better than prime Floyd Patterson. Shame he didn't have a great chin to match his terrific skills.

The perfect example of the Detroit style is Tommy Hearns. The low left hand being a characteristic.


That said the truely great orthodox boxers often had styles that would not please the purist. Ali, Holmes, Tunney, Walcott, Robinson, Jack Johnson, Ray Leonard, Jones Jnr are some of the most skilled boxers every to have lived...........but lets face it they were all guilty of leaving their hands low, pulling back from punches unguarded etc.

Even Joe Louis was guilty of letting his left drop after jabbing and sometimes his head movement was a little stationary.


Its a difficult question. Tall, rangey guys tend to suit a lower guard style like Ali, Hearns and Holmes, short fighters seem to suit a high guard, bobbing and weaving style like Tyson or Frazier. Its hard to say that the perfect textbook boxer ever existed, but there are some good exponents of the different styles.

Southpaw: Moorer, Calzaghe, Hamed, Whitaker, Pacquiou

Unorthodox/open: Jones Jnr, Meldrick Taylor, Walcott, Ali

Peek a Boo: Patterson, Tyson, Torres


Of course there are different styles for defense too, Philly shell, cross arm etc........lets just say the textbook could get quite thick very quickly.... ha ha

What "Textbook" are we going off though? That's my question. Rigondeaux is a perfect example of Cuban Textbox boxing. Miguel Cotto is a PERFECT example if the Puerto Rican style of boxing. For example a great thrown left hook is different if its thrown by an American to a Puerto Rican. The Puerto Ricans tend to cup with there hooks a lot. Obviously there are example of fighters from different places fighting other ways through imitating fighter or whatever.

[ImStillHere]

What about Charley Burley?

[PureBoxingCEO]

Bernard Hopkins. He is a living boxing textbook.

[Panamaniac]

Who's The Best "TextBook" Boxer Ever?

and give reasons behind your post!

Based solely on a hunch - for which I make no apology - Benny Leonard.

[fight_professor]

Joe Louis. He was technically perfect, esp with his high hands and nice foot work.

[fight_professor]

Bernard Hopkins. He is a living boxing textbook.

Definitely. BHop is very sound.

[greeh]

Joe Louis. He was technically perfect, esp with his high hands and nice foot work.

I am surprised you don't mention his punching-technique, which was flawless.

Every fragment in his punching was executed to perfection.

[SlySlickSmooth]

Finito Lopez would get off his stool with his hands at the ready before even meeting in the center of the ring. THAT'S textbook.

[Sugarj]

What "Textbook" are we going off though? That's my question. Rigondeaux is a perfect example of Cuban Textbox boxing. Miguel Cotto is a PERFECT example if the Puerto Rican style of boxing. For example a great thrown left hook is different if its thrown by an American to a Puerto Rican. The Puerto Ricans tend to cup with there hooks a lot. Obviously there are example of fighters from different places fighting other ways through imitating fighter or whatever.

You're right. Theres so many styles that pinning down a perfect 'textbook' boxer is difficult.

All I will say is most amateur trainers/coaches will initially strive to have their students keep both hands high, tight guard, good lateral movement. If you walked into a gym trying to imitate Bernard Hopkins/Roy Jones/Ray Robinson or Jersey Joe Walcott you'd be given a good telling off.

But if you start with a Floyd Patterson'esque' style....you'd be off to a very good start!!!

[billeau2]

You're right. Theres so many styles that pinning down a perfect 'textbook' boxer is difficult.

All I will say is most amateur trainers/coaches will initially strive to have their students keep both hands high, tight guard, good lateral movement. If you walked into a gym trying to imitate Bernard Hopkins/Roy Jones/Ray Robinson or Jersey Joe Walcott you'd be given a good telling off.

But if you start with a Floyd Patterson'esque' style....you'd be off to a very good start!!!

This is indeed a great point, there are many styles ...we need a thread for this