Best defensive fighter middleweight+

[mickey malone]

Eubank abandoned defense?? His defense was often near-impeccable, against Malinga, Thornton, Wharton and all the Close and Collins fights - however he threw only half the punches Close and Collins did.

I'll let you have Wharton, but he lost to Malinga imo... Was a very dubious sd to say the least... And Close beat him even more convincingly, but was robbed with a draw... Collins crushed him with mind games, and Thornton with the greatest of respect, didn't really come to fight. More like survive

[billeau2]

I also have every second of him on video as well as most magazines regarding him and his career and I disagree, especially about Louis as a younger fighter.
He may have not been an Ali or even Holmes but that was because he did not need to be elusive. His strength was elsewhere. But consider other fighters tried what Conn did that one night and failed. Louis rarely lacked the movement or mobility to catch them.

I have seen early footage of Louis and he was very fleet of foot actually. He became more efficient in some respects and....those guys had time to get it done in 15 rounds. Louis was a stalker who always wanted to have some juice left to land the big shots, he just wasn't a swarmer.

I agree with you on this point.

Also Japfighter pointed out another aspect of louis and guys from that era...the false fighting line. You were not to move inefficiently including presenting the shoulder to the opponent. This was one basis for counterpunching. I.e. point being that you made guys come to you as a defensive tactic.

In any event Louis became efficient but there are films of him I have seen where he is very fast of foot.

[coghaugen]

I'll let you have Wharton, but he lost to Malinga imo... Was a very dubious sd to say the least... And Close beat him even more convincingly, but was robbed with a draw... Collins crushed him with mind games, and Thornton with the greatest of respect, didn't really come to fight. More like survive

Sorry young man but I don't believe you could've possibly watched these fights!

Eubank beat Malinga widely and was robbed of a win against Close, all with 10% effort or less. The commentary teams had Eubank winning these fights widely, that included former world champions Jim Watt and Barry McGuigan. Thornton gave Eubank his toughest fight other than Benn and Watson for many years until maybe Wharton, coming forward constantly and looking to end it at every opportunity with the right hand, causing Eubank in the end to physically turn his back and run away.

[StarshipTrooper]

Sorry you and some others must be the only ones to have watched all the great heavyweights on film. My mistake...

Unlike you, TBear and the others in question actually know what the **** they're looking at.

[TBear]

Unlike you, TBear and the others in question actually know what the **** they're looking at.

I figured it wasn't worth the trouble, if it is really that important to Humean, let him think that.

[TBear]

joe louis i could never consider to be a "great" defender,, he was ok, but lets not act like he was a defensive genius,, his genius was in his punches,,, thats what made him great, not his average defense

I agree. Joe was an aggressive fighter, especially as his career progressed. Aggressive fighters normally surrender defense to achieve their goal. As far as aggressive fighters go his defense was good but he would not be confused with a young Ali by no means. My responses to this were that Louis, especially in his early days was not ponderous heavyweight with "painstakingly" slow feet.

[StarshipTrooper]

I figured it wasn't worth the trouble, if it is really that important to Humean, let him think that.

Eh, you're probably right :hahahaha9:

[mickey malone]

Sorry young man but I don't believe you could've possibly watched these fights!

Eubank beat Malinga widely and was robbed of a win against Close, all with 10% effort or less. The commentary teams had Eubank winning these fights widely, that included former world champions Jim Watt and Barry McGuigan. Thornton gave Eubank his toughest fight other than Benn and Watson for many years until maybe Wharton, coming forward constantly and looking to end it at every opportunity with the right hand, causing Eubank in the end to physically turn his back and run away.

Wrong on all counts... And just for your information, I'm not young, three years older than Eubank to be precise.. Hence, having been born and bred in the south of England, watched every single one of his fights.
Too many people pass off a granite chin, as a great defence.... The man spent far too much time posing, posturing, and waiting to be hit
Prime Jones would have hit him with so many lefts, he'd be begging for a right

[roxy]

I agree. Joe was an aggressive fighter, especially as his career progressed. Aggressive fighters normally surrender defense to achieve their goal. As far as aggressive fighters go his defense was good but he would not be confused with a young Ali by no means. My responses to this were that Louis, especially in his early days was not ponderous heavyweight with "painstakingly" slow feet.

Well said Teddy Bear.