"Slick Boxer" The Most Abused and Misused Term in Boxing

[-PBP-]

Can we be honest here? Black fighters are called slick by default for some ****** reason

I remember Bernard Hopkins beating Kelly Pavlik and telling him and the media after that he Pavlik needs to learn how to deal with the "slick black style." Then you started to see media heads and promoters using it when they had no idea what it meant.

I think it's a promo term at this stage. He's a "slick southpaw along the lines of Pernell Whitaker". A "slick black fighter that is similar to Mayweather". That captures the fan's interest.

Kellerman is the worst. Calling Terrence Crawford "Pernell Whitaker with Power." SMH

[FrankieClutch]

I remember Bernard Hopkins beating Kelly Pavlik and telling him and the media after that he Pavlik needs to learn how to deal with the "slick black style." Then you started to see media heads and promoters using it when they had no idea what it meant.

I think it's a promo term at this stage. He's a "slick southpaw along the lines of Pernell Whitaker". A "slick black fighter that is similar to Mayweather". That captures the fan's interest.

Kellerman is the worst. Calling Terrence Crawford "Pernell Whitaker with Power." SMH

Yeah, I've even heard people say he's the new Ray Leonard and/or Sweatpea. Crawford doesn't fight "slick" in the slightest, he's a very offensive fighter. (Not saying slick boxers can't be offensive, but you get me)

[The Gambler1981]

I remember Bernard Hopkins beating Kelly Pavlik and telling him and the media after that he Pavlik needs to learn how to deal with the "slick black style." Then you started to see media heads and promoters using it when they had no idea what it meant.

I think it's a promo term at this stage. He's a "slick southpaw along the lines of Pernell Whitaker". A "slick black fighter that is similar to Mayweather". That captures the fan's interest.

Kellerman is the worst. Calling Terrence Crawford "Pernell Whitaker with Power." SMH

He is habitual with crossing that line, he said the exact same words about Zab on his way up.

[onetwopunch]

He is habitual with crossing that line, he said the exact same words about Zab on his way up.

Zab was slick when he wanted to be, but he clearly was more offensive minded. But I agree Sweet Pea is in a class of his own.

[The Gambler1981]

Zab was slick when he wanted to be, but he clearly was more offensive minded. But I agree Sweet Pea is in a class of his own.

Zab tried to be slick he just was not consistent enough with his effort to really be good at it so hard to consider him slick.

[-PBP-]

He is habitual with crossing that line, he said the exact same words about Zab on his way up.

Sad part is I actually think he knows better. In his defense, the media has to dumb down boxing to make it understandable to casual viewers. Casuals in other sports like football and basketball seem to have a better understanding of the sports and have actually participated in college/high school. They understand how points are scored, what penalties are, what a good move is, etc.

In boxing, there is no scoreboard and if you don't know what you're watching it can become hard to understand. How many times have you walked out of a live event and overheard people talking about a "robbery" in a 118-110 schooling?

[Caught Square]

Lol it's true, a lot of people just assume black, fast, southpaw (usually) and a fade haircut = slick.

Slick fighters are kind rare tbh.

[The Gambler1981]

Sad part is I actually think he knows better. In his defense, the media has to dumb down boxing to make it understandable to casual viewers. Casuals in other sports like football and basketball seem to have a better understanding of the sports and have actually participated in college/high school. They understand how points are scored, what penalties are, what a good move is, etc.

In boxing, there is no scoreboard and if you don't know what you're watching it can become hard to understand. How many times have you walked out of a live event and overheard people talking about a "robbery" in a 118-110 schooling?

That is true, Kellerman's real audience is not hardcore fight fan but slightly less knowledgeable people. Which gets those people in trouble when they bring Kellerman's words to an actual person who knows roughly what Kellerman does.

All broadcasters are like that though, heck it is why most newspapers are written at an 8th grade level because doing more will confuse more people than inform them

[Fury4daWIN]

A slick boxer to me is one who prioritises his brain and his skills over brute force and aggression, whether to make his opponent miss to land counters or to land his own shots with minimal risk of return fire. They come in all shapes and sizes and from all the kingdoms in the land, but are by nature characterised by their intelligence and command of the skills and techniques at their disposal.

They are not characterised by fancy feet and herky jerky head movement for the sake of it, but these things are often mistaken for "slickness" by uneducated boxing fans and journalists who should know better since these are the attributes commonly associated with boxers like Ali and Leonard. Kovalev, for instance, would never be labelled slick despite the fact that he's probably one of the slicker fighters in the sport right now. His background and fighting style simply don't fit into the lazy, preconceived categories that boxing fans too often have a tendency to force guys into regardless of their actual talents.

Perhaps it's time for another term since this one is so poorly understood and routinely abused. Or perhaps boxing fans should try to get more educated and exercise some critical thinking. Fat chance of that happening.

[GTTofAK]

ost fans would look at him and not appreciate his talents, because it wasn't as flashy as, well...the slick fighters.

But you are looking at it from the fans prospective. What do you think his opponents would say? After 12 rounds, probably less, of having him right in front of you but all your punches miss, glance, parried, blocked, you'd be amazed just how slick he was.