It seems to me that "defense" should mean "avoiding getting hit," which combines technique, reflexes and mobility. Limiting my choices to heavyweight champions, here's how I see it:
1-Muhammad Ali (in his prime, he was harder to hit cleanly than any other heavyweight)
2-Jack Johnson
3-Gene Tunney
4-Jim Corbett
5-Jersey Joe Walcott
6-Ezzard Charles
7-Jack Sharkey
8-Larry Holmes
Best defensive among offensive fighters, who, due to their much more aggressive styles, got hit more frequently than the guys listed above:
1-Jack Dempsey
2-Joe Louis
3-Mike Tyson
4-Bob Fitzsimmons
5-Lennox Lewis
If we were to expand the list beyond heavyweight champions, we'd have to find room for Peter Jackson, Tommy Gibbons, Tommy Loughran, Maxie Rosenbloon, Billy Conn, Jimmy Bivins, Archie Moore, Harold Johnson, Ernie Terrell, Jimmy Ellis, Jimmy Young and Chris Byrd, among others.
Excellant post, Mr E, and here's wishing you a welcome to the site.
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