Who Was the First Truly "Modern" Boxer

[KingHippo]

I'm trying to up my knowledge of older fighters, but I find things very difficult as I see many glaring inefficiencies in their techniques. Especially things like their stance, punching mechanics, and footwork. And that's even with some of the greats, like Joe Louis, SRR, and Ali. Ali had very sloppy mechanics at times.

The one who always impressed me, however, was George Foreman. Always was impressed by his form, his beautiful mechanics, and the long sharp and very polished jab. He's in my opinion the first boxer who I can say had a modern style that would still hold up today.

Who would you say was the first to have a truly modern style in your opinion?

[GhostofDempsey]

Somewhere between Sam Langford and Jack Dempsey is where boxing really evolved.

[Bundana]

I think Gene Tunney was (technically speaking) ahead of his time, at least if we're talking HWs - and up through the 30s boxers looked more and more "modern" (Ross, Canzoneri, McLarnin).

By the late 30s/early 40s we had Louis, Robinson, Pep on the scene... and it doesn't really get better than that! I don't think boxing has evolved appreciably over the last 80 years!

[BKM-]

Gene Tunney is a solid pick, if you really want to go back in time as far as you can.

[Quercusalba]

There is nothing antiquated or sloppy about Jersey Joe Walcott. I think a lot of modern fighters would love to have his footwork, timing, head movement, and distance control. He was so very slick.

[QueensburyRules]

- -Dempsey introduced the modern million $ spectacle with a new revision of an older style that guaranteed concussive action that in turn brought the authorities bowing to the mainstream people who wanted to see legalized fights.

In short, Jack legitimized boxing as he generated huge $million gates and crazy media coverage.

[The Old LefHook]

Mike Gibbons was the first modern and instructed gene Tunney.

[Marchegiano]

I've never actually looked explicitly or tried to pin down an era, but, I think the 70s. As much as Marciano did things not seen since before Edison invented capturing video Ali did things that were developed over the gloved period. I'd appreciate a schooling tbh, but as I know it:

I can't give credit to guys like Gene Tunney no matter how great they were because things like the shuffle and rope-a-dope had not been displayed yet in boxing. What's Tunney know about a half orthodox half southpaw stance? Walcott named it his Sucka punch and ever since boxers have used shoulder movement more.

Again, never looked explicitly but I'm pretty sure Ali borrows the following:

Corkscrew - McCoy

Sucka - Walcott

Shuffle - Walcott

Rope-a-Dope - LaStarza (would gladly accept another pioneer of catching punches on elbows while using the ropes to absorb energy but never heard of them)

And I'm sure more but that's enough and all I know.

That's just four, but, it's four we see today. Four that must be there to be a modern boxer. Guys use the ropes all the time where prior it wasn't very often and there was no technique centered around it. Shuffle? Everyone who wants to show a little flair does a shuffle. Pretty sure even Wilder and Fury have done shuffles and ain't neither of them actually got the feet for it. Everyone shuffles today, before no one shuffled. Oh and them shoulders, boy-o, is there really a RJJ or Toney or really anyone modern with great set up who doesn't use their shoulders?

What is Tommy Morrison, Mike Tyson or David Tua without Marciano's phantom overhead? Renamed Mike Tyson's Homerun?

I think dudes from the 20s-50s really pioneered moderned boxing techniques then the 60s normalized them and the 70s perfected them.

To me it's just one of those aspects that makes the golden era golden.

[Marchegiano]

There is nothing antiquated or sloppy about Jersey Joe Walcott. I think a lot of modern fighters would love to have his footwork, timing, head movement, and distance control. He was so very slick.

Damn near went with this.

[ShoulderRoll]

Corbett was fairly modern while still maintaining some of the old bareknuckle style.