Best jab in heavyweight history?

[Dr.Eisenfaust]

When it comes to power :

Lennox Lewis, Wladimir Klitschko


When it comes to technique :

Larry Holmes , Sonny Liston

When it comes to effectiveness ( power and technique combined) :

Lewis, Liston and Klitschko. ( Holmes lacked a little bit of power in my opinion, his jab was still very effective though)

Hard to give any vote on this one.

[STREET CLEANER]

Holmes made his career out of that jab.

[LacedUp]

Well this thread has taken a U Turn

Makes a thread about who has the best Jab, criticises people he's listed in the nominations



What I meant by Wlad having a solid jab was, yes most people use a jab as a way to set up the right but Wlad uses it as a way to control the pace and distance of the fight, if he's flicking that jab out at you (and no doubt it's a ****ing powerful jab) then it's immobilising whoever he's fighting from getting into range and striking, his jab is also part of his defence, hence why I was calling it solid, because that's how he uses, and that's how it works for him.

Weather you find it entertaining to watch or not is another matter entirely.

Why would I praise every single one of the choices? I also criticized Ali's jab in the thread that lead to this one. Just because you are the best at something, doesn't mean you are free from criticism. In fact, quite the opposite has proven to be correct.

When ranking a great jab, you have to look at how it's thrown, it's power, how it is destroying your opponents gameplan, if it's technically correct etc. Considering all these things, I wouldn't put Lennox's or Wlad's jab on the top 5. They get a fair mention in the top 10 however. If you think differently, all the power to you and state your case.

[4Corners]

In his prime........Ali without a doubt for me. When he snapped that jab while dancing on his toes, man he was effective with it.

[TOBYLEE1]

There are a lot of excellent jabs in that list. Hard to just pick the best one in history

[Simurgh]

In his prime........Ali without a doubt for me. When he snapped that jab while dancing on his toes, man he was effective with it.

^ this. It was just beautiful and I don't think it was as light as it might appeared.

[MikeRo1972]

For me: Wlad has the most powerful jab, but Holmes had the best jab. His entire career was predicated on his effective jab.

[Simurgh]

And that is exactly why it's frustrating. Nobody wants to see someone getting jabbed in the fact for 8 rounds before they finally get the courage to throw the right hand - It's just dull and not exciting at all. Lennox got the same criticism and I agree with that too.

And also, look at the way these guys jabbed - 1 jab was enough for them to completely open up for a right hand smash. Wlad has to jab 300 times a fight to do that.

I know what you think. I would be also frustrated if every fighter fights that way, but I quite enjoy watching it while Wlad does it, or Lennox used to do.

With Wlad it's jab, straight right and left hook. All of those are ATG punches IMO. He does throw right hook occasionally. But I think that having 3 perfectly executed punches covers it all.

With Wlad it's about controlling the distance, not getting hit and being mentally stronger than an opponent. It very hard to compete with Wlad not just physically but mentally too.

[Alx.]

I'll go with ali, even though holmes was a beast as well

[LacedUp]

I know what you think. I would be also frustrated if every fighter fights that way, but I quite enjoy watching it while Wlad does it, or Lennox used to do.

With Wlad it's jab, straight right and left hook. All of those are ATG punches IMO. He does throw right hook occasionally. But I think that having 3 perfectly executed punches covers it all.

With Wlad it's about controlling the distance, not getting hit and being mentally stronger than an opponent. It very hard to compete with Wlad not just physically but mentally too.

I don't think his left hook is something to write home about. His jab and straight right - most definitely. But for me it's not just about being a technically sound boxer - because he is. Of the finest sort. But as a fan I want to be entertained - and I don't watch boxing for the sake of a huge guy jabbing a small guy to bits for 10 rounds before he finally throws the right hand. I appreciate others might do, and fair play to them, but not myself.

I don't think Wlad is particularly strong mentally. Not in the sense that his brother is. I think Wlad knows that the guys he's fighting are not that good, but what is he supposed to say?

Press conference:

Wlad, what do you think about Pianeta?

Wlad: "Well he hasn't fought anybody good, he doesn't punch very hard and he probably won't even be able to withstand my jab, so I'll probably get him out of there in the first, but might just carry him for six for the audience sake".

Something's not quite right there is it? If he was coming up against the likes of Tyson, Lennox, Holyfield in his era, then we would see how strong he was mentally. But he hasn't faced anyone like that. Someone that is really strong mentally as well and inimidates their opponents and who is similar in size as him.

But he can only fight the best in his division and he's doing that. So I give him respect for that.