Boxing is one of the most exciting combat sports fans can watch. When two fighters climb into the ring and trade punches, it’s no doubt an exhilarating experience. But boxing isn’t just about trying to score knockouts.
Fondly referred to by hardcore fans and enthusiasts as “The Sweet Science,” boxing is an intricate martial art that requires technical mastery. Yes, it may seem simple at first glance, but beneath its exterior lies a nuanced fighting discipline with complex techniques.
Throughout history, there have been many fighters who have exhibited sublime technical skills at the highest levels of competition. Fans appreciate their proficiency in the fistic arts, on both offense and defense. These boxers flowed like water, dancing across the canvas with grace, and most importantly, the desire to emerge victorious.
While fans love the all-action brawlers, there’s a special place in our hearts for boxing’s technical geniuses. Let’s celebrate these fighters today.
Here are five of the most technical boxers in history.
1) Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr.
Of course, you can’t have a list of the most technical boxers in history without including Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. himself. Love him or hate him, Mayweather has shown mastery of “The Sweet Science” from when he first started, up until his final victory to end his career with a perfect 50-0 record.
Whether or not you jive with his personality outside of the ring, there is no denying his supreme technical mastery inside of it. Most of the time, the man that stood opposite him was simply not in his class.
Mayweather was exceptional in all areas of boxing – defense, counterpunching, movement, ring generalship, and the like. On offense, he was a sharpshooter, a precision puncher who could thread the needle and connect with incredible accuracy.
Most of his foes became frustrated because he was often unhittable. In fact, there have only been a handful of times Mayweather has been hit clean.
2) Bernard “The Executioner/The Alien” Hopkins
Multiple-division former world champion Bernard Hopkins had all the tools necessary for an extraordinary career. But little did he know when he began his career in 1988 that he would end up being one of the greatest boxing legends of all time.
Without a doubt, Hopkins was an athletic beast of a fighter. But his best asset was never his god-given physical gifts. It was always his high fight IQ.
Hopkins was a true master of “The Sweet Science.” He utilized the entire length of the ring, from the ropes to the ring posts to maneuver his opponent wherever he wanted. At times, he even used the referee’s body intelligently to gain positional advantages.
“The Executioner” knew how to manipulate his foes and take advantage of every aspect of every fight.
Hopkins’ most significant achievement was winning the WBA world title at the age of 49, thus becoming the oldest world champion in boxing history.
3) “Sugar” Ray Leonard
https://youtu.be/xTCoclTDgC0
Multiple-division former world champion “Sugar” Ray Leonard was one of the most exciting fighters of the 1980s. The stylistic orthodox speedster utilized his quickness and explosiveness to overwhelm his foes in the ring.
And while he was known for his high octane style, many fans also know that he was also one of the most technically sound boxers of all time.
His victories over equal legends Roberto Duran, Tommy “Hitman” Hearns, and “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler were proof of his otherworldly talent. Leonard was never supposed to beat these seemingly better fighters, but he used his technical ability to outsmart and outbox them intelligently.
Leonard also had incredible defensive skills to boot. He had the ability to take a hard punch and come back fast with powerful counters of his own. “Sugar” is considered today as one of the top 10 greatest boxers in history. And the way he fought in the ring, along with his body of work, is a testament to that.
4) Joe Louis
There is no question Joe Louis is one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time. In fact, a case can be made that he is the greatest ever. The only man he can be compared to is the late Muhammad Ali. But even “Cassius Clay” could not equal Louis’ vaunted punching power.
Without a doubt, Louis was one of the most dominant fighters in the sport. His infamous first-round stoppage victory of Max Schmeling in 1938 is one that will be remembered for as long as the sport exists.
Louis didn’t just exhibit his unparalleled athletic ability in defeating his opponents, but he also showcased his incredible technical skills and strategic mastery.
And while he didn’t move as well as his opponents and was often flat-footed, the speed, power, and the flawless technique in which he threw his punches more than made up for his shortcomings.
5) Henry Armstrong
If you’re a real boxing fan, you have to have Henry Armstrong in your top five greatest boxers of all time. He is widely considered by experts and pundits to be one of the most prolific lightweight and welterweight fighters in the sport’s history.
With a 150-21-10 record, which includes 101 knockouts, Armstrong had an incredible career that started in 1931 and ended in 1945. He built a steady and solid fan base during this period, with many people coming to watch his fights.
They came to witness Armstrong’s unreal athletic ability and supreme fighting instincts. He was a technical fighter before technique became an important part of boxing in the early days. Armstrong showed incredible timing and precision with his combinations, utilizing a long and stiff jab to set up other power shots.
And when he had his opponents on the defensive, he would wail on them until they gave up. As fans, we must never forget Armstrong’s amazing career.
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