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SOME PUGS MUCH SMARTER THAN OTHERS
Boxing is one of the most cerebral athletic arts there is. When one looks back at the history of the sweet science, it is apparent that the ones who understood the science were often the ones who prospered. Of course guys like Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali were best incredible athletes, but they were also some of the top scientists of the sport. Here is a quick look at some of the best students currently practicing the art of boxing.
#10) Nonito Donaire (19-1, 12 KOs)
Donaire is a young guy (25) whose claim to fame is a KO win over the exciting and outspoken Vic Darchinyan. Although I am a fan of the Armenian Aussie, I must give credit to the man who dethroned him. Donaire is wise beyond his years in his understanding of the sweet science. He has great awareness in the ring, and can make adjustments throughout a fight to tilt the odds in his favor. I hope to see him in a rematch with Darchinyan soon. Before that can happen, Donaire must get through the capable Hussein Hussein. Watch for Donaire to do what he does best in this fight; manipulate his opponent into his style and take him out in the middle to late rounds.
#9) Ronald “Winky” Wright (51-4-1, 25 KOs)
Like most of the fighters on this list, Wright is a little long in the tooth being 36 years old. He has perfected his craft and has become one of the trickiest guys to decode in the ring. Winky is a great example of a guy who implements his style; only doing what he does best. He may not be the most exciting fighter, but he usually gets the job done. When you look at the defensive wiz, it is hard to find a loss on his record that was a clear cut defeat. He gives everybody fits, regardless of the outcome.
#8) Wladimir Klitschko (49-3, 44 KOs)
Many of you might be surprised at Klitschko's appearance on this list. But look closer, there is more to the big man than just a constant jab and occasional straight right. He may be a little overly cautious, but when he decides to throw his right, something he doesn't do nearly enough, Wlad rarely misses. Klitschko is a technician, not just in the ring, but in everything he does. That is just the way he is. Wlad's boxing IQ is backed by evidence of a substantial list of intellectual achievements outside the ring. Dr. Steelhammer does indeed have a Ph.D. and is a multilingual aspiring politician as well. Both Klitschko's are likable guys, but for clarity's sake, I hope his older brother Vitali stays in retirement so we can once again have a unified heavyweight champion.
#7) Shane Mosley (44-5, 37 KOs)
"Sugar Shane" is an almost perfect combination of athleticism and intelligence in the ring. He is a very smart fighter, but he is first and foremost a fighter, which makes him an exciting intellectual. Fighters like Shane are able to hang with the young lions in the game far past their prime. Although his hand speed may be slowing, he is still very dangerous using his Ring IQ to set traps and catch his opponent. Also let’s not forget that a slowing Shane Mosley is still a few steps ahead the average fighter.
#6) Kelly Pavlik (33-0, 29 KOs)
I wouldn't have thought of Kelly Pavlik as a guy who has a high Ring IQ until I watched his first fight with Jermain Taylor. He did a lot of little things in that fight that were very cleaver. After watching him outpoint Taylor four months later, he reaffirmed his ability to psychologically control the fight. Kelly knows what works for him, and he knows how to make small adjustments to his opponents. Pavlik is one of the younger guys on this list, but it has become evident that Kelly's high KO percentage is credited to more than just his punching power, but his ability to understand how and when to impose his will.
#5) James Toney (70-6-3, 43 KOs)
Yeah, I know he is way past his best and will never be a contender again, but he is an active fighter and he is only able to live through bouts with guys like Sam Peter by relying on his boxing brain. Really the only thing higher than James Toney's Ring IQ is his ever increasing weight. But to his credit he has hung around as long as he has because of his intelligence. James is a brilliant defender and one of the best practitioners of the shoulder roll. Yes, James Toney's body has failed him in recent years, but he will still be around a bit longer with his vast knowledge inside the ring.
#4) Joe Calzaghe (44-0, 32 KOs)
Joe is well deserving of a spot on this list. I couldn’t believe how easily he made beating up Jeff Lacy look. Joe is a guy who has great vision inside the ring, maybe the best in the game. He seems to be able to see punches coming and avoid them with ease, but he is even better at delivering them; with laser like precision. Yeah, he may slap with some of his punches (or most of them) but it is certainly affective. Another thing that makes Joe so unique is he can solve a tricky opponent’s style in minutes, not rounds. I am not a huge Calzaghe fan, but watching him in the ring is a thing of beauty, fan or not.
#3) Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (39-0, 25 KOs)
Love him or hate him, Floyd is an extremely gifted fighter, mentally and physically. His defensive ability is second to none, he is almost impossible to hit, and has the ability to easily frustrate opponents. Floyd makes use of a brilliant shoulder roll, slick defensive footwork and an incredible ability to slip and block punches. Nobody has yet been able to solve the riddle he presents in the ring, and until they do, he will remain the best defender in the game.
#2) Roy Jones, Jr. (52-4, 38 KOs)
When watching Jones it is easy to underestimate things like ring intelligence; he is usually busy dazzling us with blazing hand speed and brilliant combinations. But behind all of this showmanship lies an extremely skilled pugilistic Ph.D. Taking a backseat to Roy's physically ability, his mental ability in the ring is simply genius. Roy is still a dangerous, capable fighter. It may not be for the same reasons that we are used to, as next year Roy will be hitting 40; but as his speed slows, his intellect will step in and cover for him.
#1) Bernard Hopkins (48-4-1, 32 KOs)
At the ripe age of 43 Bernard Hopkins is still at it-and still on top. After two close decision losses to Jermain Taylor, many thought that father time was finally catching up with old B-hop. But Hopkins had different ideas, as he continued his career jumping up two weight classes to dethrone the reigning light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver. Hopkins' Ring IQ is past genius-he is a boxing savant. Bernard may not always be aesthetically pleasing to watch, but he knows what he must do to win, even if it takes questionable tactics and sneaky fouls, to him its all part of the game. Bernard is a master at what he does, and using his brilliant boxing brain, I wouldn't be surprised to see him still at it in three years or more-if he chose to do so.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Chris Byrd, Antonio Tarver, Manny Pacquiao, Rafael Marquez, Juan Manuel Marquez, Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton, Oscar De La Hoya and Paul Malignaggi.
Boxing is one of the most cerebral athletic arts there is. When one looks back at the history of the sweet science, it is apparent that the ones who understood the science were often the ones who prospered. Of course guys like Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali were best incredible athletes, but they were also some of the top scientists of the sport. Here is a quick look at some of the best students currently practicing the art of boxing.
#10) Nonito Donaire (19-1, 12 KOs)
Donaire is a young guy (25) whose claim to fame is a KO win over the exciting and outspoken Vic Darchinyan. Although I am a fan of the Armenian Aussie, I must give credit to the man who dethroned him. Donaire is wise beyond his years in his understanding of the sweet science. He has great awareness in the ring, and can make adjustments throughout a fight to tilt the odds in his favor. I hope to see him in a rematch with Darchinyan soon. Before that can happen, Donaire must get through the capable Hussein Hussein. Watch for Donaire to do what he does best in this fight; manipulate his opponent into his style and take him out in the middle to late rounds.
#9) Ronald “Winky” Wright (51-4-1, 25 KOs)
Like most of the fighters on this list, Wright is a little long in the tooth being 36 years old. He has perfected his craft and has become one of the trickiest guys to decode in the ring. Winky is a great example of a guy who implements his style; only doing what he does best. He may not be the most exciting fighter, but he usually gets the job done. When you look at the defensive wiz, it is hard to find a loss on his record that was a clear cut defeat. He gives everybody fits, regardless of the outcome.
#8) Wladimir Klitschko (49-3, 44 KOs)
Many of you might be surprised at Klitschko's appearance on this list. But look closer, there is more to the big man than just a constant jab and occasional straight right. He may be a little overly cautious, but when he decides to throw his right, something he doesn't do nearly enough, Wlad rarely misses. Klitschko is a technician, not just in the ring, but in everything he does. That is just the way he is. Wlad's boxing IQ is backed by evidence of a substantial list of intellectual achievements outside the ring. Dr. Steelhammer does indeed have a Ph.D. and is a multilingual aspiring politician as well. Both Klitschko's are likable guys, but for clarity's sake, I hope his older brother Vitali stays in retirement so we can once again have a unified heavyweight champion.
#7) Shane Mosley (44-5, 37 KOs)
"Sugar Shane" is an almost perfect combination of athleticism and intelligence in the ring. He is a very smart fighter, but he is first and foremost a fighter, which makes him an exciting intellectual. Fighters like Shane are able to hang with the young lions in the game far past their prime. Although his hand speed may be slowing, he is still very dangerous using his Ring IQ to set traps and catch his opponent. Also let’s not forget that a slowing Shane Mosley is still a few steps ahead the average fighter.
#6) Kelly Pavlik (33-0, 29 KOs)
I wouldn't have thought of Kelly Pavlik as a guy who has a high Ring IQ until I watched his first fight with Jermain Taylor. He did a lot of little things in that fight that were very cleaver. After watching him outpoint Taylor four months later, he reaffirmed his ability to psychologically control the fight. Kelly knows what works for him, and he knows how to make small adjustments to his opponents. Pavlik is one of the younger guys on this list, but it has become evident that Kelly's high KO percentage is credited to more than just his punching power, but his ability to understand how and when to impose his will.
#5) James Toney (70-6-3, 43 KOs)
Yeah, I know he is way past his best and will never be a contender again, but he is an active fighter and he is only able to live through bouts with guys like Sam Peter by relying on his boxing brain. Really the only thing higher than James Toney's Ring IQ is his ever increasing weight. But to his credit he has hung around as long as he has because of his intelligence. James is a brilliant defender and one of the best practitioners of the shoulder roll. Yes, James Toney's body has failed him in recent years, but he will still be around a bit longer with his vast knowledge inside the ring.
#4) Joe Calzaghe (44-0, 32 KOs)
Joe is well deserving of a spot on this list. I couldn’t believe how easily he made beating up Jeff Lacy look. Joe is a guy who has great vision inside the ring, maybe the best in the game. He seems to be able to see punches coming and avoid them with ease, but he is even better at delivering them; with laser like precision. Yeah, he may slap with some of his punches (or most of them) but it is certainly affective. Another thing that makes Joe so unique is he can solve a tricky opponent’s style in minutes, not rounds. I am not a huge Calzaghe fan, but watching him in the ring is a thing of beauty, fan or not.
#3) Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (39-0, 25 KOs)
Love him or hate him, Floyd is an extremely gifted fighter, mentally and physically. His defensive ability is second to none, he is almost impossible to hit, and has the ability to easily frustrate opponents. Floyd makes use of a brilliant shoulder roll, slick defensive footwork and an incredible ability to slip and block punches. Nobody has yet been able to solve the riddle he presents in the ring, and until they do, he will remain the best defender in the game.
#2) Roy Jones, Jr. (52-4, 38 KOs)
When watching Jones it is easy to underestimate things like ring intelligence; he is usually busy dazzling us with blazing hand speed and brilliant combinations. But behind all of this showmanship lies an extremely skilled pugilistic Ph.D. Taking a backseat to Roy's physically ability, his mental ability in the ring is simply genius. Roy is still a dangerous, capable fighter. It may not be for the same reasons that we are used to, as next year Roy will be hitting 40; but as his speed slows, his intellect will step in and cover for him.
#1) Bernard Hopkins (48-4-1, 32 KOs)
At the ripe age of 43 Bernard Hopkins is still at it-and still on top. After two close decision losses to Jermain Taylor, many thought that father time was finally catching up with old B-hop. But Hopkins had different ideas, as he continued his career jumping up two weight classes to dethrone the reigning light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver. Hopkins' Ring IQ is past genius-he is a boxing savant. Bernard may not always be aesthetically pleasing to watch, but he knows what he must do to win, even if it takes questionable tactics and sneaky fouls, to him its all part of the game. Bernard is a master at what he does, and using his brilliant boxing brain, I wouldn't be surprised to see him still at it in three years or more-if he chose to do so.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Chris Byrd, Antonio Tarver, Manny Pacquiao, Rafael Marquez, Juan Manuel Marquez, Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton, Oscar De La Hoya and Paul Malignaggi.
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